It’s not easy living with kids and dogs. Life can be chaotic and busy, and miscommunications can happen even with good kids and good dogs.
As a family, your actions can play a HUGE part in how your dog acts towards you and those they meet.
The key is to learn what dogs like, what they don’t, and how to tell the difference.
Here are some simple strategies you can use to make your life easier and build a fantastic relationship between your kids and dog/s.
New Puppy or Dog to the Home
We recommend slow, positive introductions to all family members. Hand feeding and gentle games with kids are great! Involve the kids in training a new puppy and get them involved in feeding and play times. Make sure the new dog or puppy has a safe place to rest, within the family living area, but away from too much activity.
Remember that children can be scary to dogs. They can often be erratic and noisy! If a dog isn’t used to this, they may react fearfully (growling, nipping or snapping at the children). Teaching kids to act appropriately around dogs is the key – trust accounts and relationships can be built with hard work and consistency.
If you already have a dog living with your children and if the dog starts to show a change in behaviour (e.g. growling, snapping, biting), we advise you to see a vet with your dog to rule out any medical conditions that may cause a change in behaviour. Then seek advice from a qualified force-free trainer.