Managing puppies and children 101
Do any of these sound familiar? A child finds a bowl of dog food and gets curious or a puppy chews up a child's favorite toy and causes a meltdown or a child tries to ride a dog like a horse and ends up falling and crying. You probably know someone who has experienced this. Puppy and child accidents are more common than we think.
Age Appropriate Child and Puppy
Some of these scenarios mentioned above can be harmless and others extremely dangerous. To prevent incidents like this the best thing we can do is educate ourselves and practice advocacy.
Raising a child, as well as raising a puppy takes a lot of work, thoughtfulness, and damage control but it is extremely rewarding. So...let's teach you how to do both without losing hair or sleep!
Ages 0-1 years old
When your kid is crawling be careful of dog items or toys that may be in its path. Also, make sure that you're teaching your puppy key skills like place, sit or stay for when a baby might be active on the ground. Puppies can be pretty energetic when they play and may not be aware of their surroundings. It is best to start rewarding the dog for calm behavior, especially when the baby is out and about. Do let your puppy get its energy out in a safe controlled space where the crawling baby is safely away.
Don’t forget to get puppy essentials like baby gates, puppy playpens, and crates before introducing a puppy into a home with a small child. Check out our curated list→ of must-have new puppy items.
Ages 1-3 years old
Teach the child about the puppy. Teach the child that the puppy is a living being and that they have to respect its boundaries. Talking to your child more about how to treat a puppy kindly will help them give the puppy positive interactions with the puppy. Make sure you let your child know that they are never allowed to go near the puppy when they are eating, pull on their legs, tails, ears, etc or pick them up without an adult. A child under three should not be involved in puppys care but start talking to them about how you take care of the puppy by asking them questions. "Where do we put water for the puppy?" or "Where does the puppy’s food go?" This encourages them to start thinking about the puppy as a part of the family and a living creature with needs.
Ages 4-5 years old
Kids can pet the puppy from head to tail and start dropping treats for the puppy. While they may be too young to start walking, feeding, or bathing the puppy, do include your child in these activities and help them learn the ways you take care of the puppy. In this stage, all activities that are done with the child and puppy need to be supervised.
Ages 6-8 years old
Start incorporating your kids in training lessons and teach them how to offer a treat gently and calmly. Make sure that there is an older sibling or adult that can supervise activities with the puppy and child. You may start teaching the child how to groom a puppy, with a soft brush from head to tail and talk about the importance of keeping them groomed. Depending on the size of the puppy/dog at this time you can let the child walk the dog on the leash in a controlled fenced environment. If the puppy/dog is too big then an adult can be the only one to walk the dog and you can have the child help.
Ages 8-11
Kids can now walk the dogs for short distances and safely engage in grooming, playing, bathing, and training exercises with the puppy. Teaching your child pet care is important and giving them tasks makes them feel more confident about their interactions with the puppy. As much as possible create positive associations with the child and pet care, so that they see caring for their puppy as a way to love their puppy, not just the fun activities like playing tug or throwing a ball.
Ages 12 and above
Your kid should confidently be able to handle your puppy/dog, take them on walks, feed them and train them. Teach your child more about dog behavior and teach them how to be an advocate for your dog. Teaching your child about animal cues and keeping the human-to-dog communication clear will prevent future misunderstandings or accidents involving the dog. Need a refresher? Checkout out Canine Body Language mini lesson→. Kids at this age are responsible enough to know that what they say and don't say, what they do and don't do has consequences Adults should still be mindful of a child's interactions with a dog and should redirect undesirable interactions when possible. For the most part, kids at this age should be able to care for and interact with your dog with ease and confidence.
Safe Handling Tips
Here are some safe handling tips for having puppies and small children:
Teach the child how to gently stroke the puppy so they avoid hitting or harming the dog.
Teach the child to never interrupt by walking into or touching the puppy while they're eating or chewing something. The puppy may act defensively no matter the temperament.
Never assume that the puppy would never do something to harm a child. Always supervise sessions and intervene when the puppy is showing body language of being fearful, irritated or avoidant.
Have a safe place for both the child and puppy. For the puppy, make sure you have a crate that the puppy can comfortably relax in without being disturbed by the child. The puppy must have a safe place to retreat when feeling overwhelmed. Make sure the child can also be secured in a play area where the puppy can not interact with them. Child Gates and playpens are excellent ways to create separation between child and puppy
Once a child is old enough to safely help with training, teach your child to offer treats to puppies when they're exhibiting good behaviors. Allowing your child to be a part of the training process, strengthens your puppy's and child's relationship.
Separating toys. Your child's toys should be picked up when your puppy is out. We want to make sure that the puppy’s toys are also picked up when the child is playing so that they don't get them mixed up. This will also prevent unwanted altercations over toys.
Separate puppy and child when you notice:
Excessive Yawning when the puppy is not sleepy
Lip Licking, whale eye, looking away
Turning head away from the child, turning body away, avoidance
Growling, snapping, flashing teeth, or biting
Learn more about canine body language in our mini lesson→.
Conclusion
It is important that you are an advocate for both your child and your puppy. If you notice either party getting frightened, scared, aggressive or annoyed you should intervene quickly and give both the puppy and the child a much-needed break.
Give the puppy something else to focus on instead of the child and vice versa. All play sessions with a child and a puppy should be supervised to keep both parties safe.
Accidents happen but you can do your best to prevent negative experiences between your puppy and child. Over time, your child’s bond with your puppy will grow and they’ll be inseparable.
Ready for a puppy? Prepare your household and get essential items that’ll make your life easier. We’ve already created a list of our favorite products so you don’t have to! See our puppy checklist →
