Children and Dogs: A Guide to Safe Coexistence for Children and Dogs

Learn to read your dog's language for safe coexistence with children. Expert guide, warning signs, and family wellness tips.

Understanding Canine Body Language

Watching our dogs grow and enjoy life is one of the greatest gifts, and seeing them interact with children fills us with satisfaction. However, for this friendship to be lasting and happy, it is essential to understand how to prevent dog attacks on children; because they simply communicate their limits when they feel overwhelmed. Caring for animal and family welfare is our priority.

Our role as caregivers is to learn to "read" their language. When a dog feels uncomfortable, they're not being bad, they're asking for space. Identifying these signs of stress not only prevents incidents but also strengthens the bond of mutual respect.

👉 Give your dog a moment of calm

How to tell if my dog is uncomfortable and needs space?

Before growling, dogs "speak softly" with their bodies through various signs of stress. If you notice these behaviors, it's time to give your friend a break:

• Subtle signs: Averting gaze, pulling ears back, yawning without being tired, or repeatedly licking their lips.

• Warning signs: Body tension, trying to shrink or showing the white part of the eye (the so-called "whale eye").

Golden rule: Growling is a valuable warning. Never punish it; if you suppress it, the dog may stop giving warnings in the future, which could put those involved at risk. Appreciate the communication, calmly and safely remove the child from the area. This way, you avoid stress and protect the child.

Pillars for Safe Coexistence

Children and dog safety is key. Apply these tips for safe coexistence between children and dogs in your daily routine:

1. Active supervision: Never leave a dog and a child alone. Being present allows you to intervene before any misinterpretation.

2. The "dog consent test": Teach children not to hug, corner, or kiss the dog's face. It is preferable to gently pet under the chin or on the chest, pausing for three seconds. If the dog moves away, respect its decision; if it stays, it seeks to continue, but continue to supervise the interaction.

3. Peace zones: Stress in dogs and children at home decreases by creating spaces where the dog can rest undisturbed, preventing them from feeling trapped. The use of safety gates or baby gates allows these exclusive zones to be delimited.

4. “Inside voice": Loud noises disturb dogs. Fostering a calm environment at home helps everyone be more relaxed.

👉Discover how to reduce anxiety naturally

Extra support for stressful moments

Sometimes, children's energy can overwhelm your dog's ability to stay calm, leaving them restless. If you notice your companion is anxious, a natural supplement for anxious dogs can be a great ally.

Waggy’s Relax chews, formulated with passionflower, valerian, and ashwagandha, and Waggy's Calming Oil for Anxiety help reduce the physical signs of stress and anxiety naturally, facilitating a much more harmonious integration in the home, walks, and outings.

 

👉 Improve safe coexistence between children and dogs

 

Education and respect: the foundation of safe coexistence

Safety begins with education and empathy. By observing your dog and teaching children to respect their time and space, you build a lasting foundation of trust.

Before starting any behavioral supplementation protocol, remember: Visit your local vet. Professional diagnosis is essential for your best friend's health. Make your home a safe haven for everyone!

 

References

• Curtis, T. M. (2020). "Toddlers & tiaras": Pets and kids can live together—safely! In Proceedings of the Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX 2020), Orlando, FL, USA.    

• Giraudet, C. S. E., Liu, K., McElligott, A. G., & Cobb, M. (2022). Are children and dogs best friends? A scoping review to explore the positive and negative effects of child-dog interactions. PeerJ, 10, e14532. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14532

• Hawkins, R. D., Robinson, C., & McGuigan, N. (2023). The benefits and risks of child-dog attachment and child-dog behaviours for child psychological well-being. Human-Animal Interactions, 11(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2023.0034     

• Lakestani, N., & Donaldson, M. L. (2015). Dog bite prevention: Effect of a short educational intervention for preschool children. PLoS ONE, 10(8), e0134319. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134319 

• Shen, J., Rouse, J., Godbole, M., Wells, H. L., Boppana, S., & Schwebel, D. C. (2017). Systematic review: Interventions to educate children about dog safety and prevent pediatric dog-bite injuries: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 42(7), 779-791. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsv164