How do I teach my child to interact with dogs?
Children need to learn how to properly interact with the new dog so that the transition will be as s Read More
How should children behave around dogs?
Mason Nienow
2025-06-06 18:02:34
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Stay with your child. It’s important that an adult supervises your toddler or child when they are around pets. Never leave your child alone with a pet, even your own. Set some rules. Teach your child not to approach pets when they are eating, sleeping, unwell or tired. Be gentle and calm. Some children love to hug and kiss animals, just like they would to humans. But this sort of behaviour can sometimes cause pets to become worried or angry. Do not let your child climb on them or pull their ears or tail. Remind your child not to shout when around animals. Read your pets communication and body language. Learning to understand your pet's behaviour can help you to know how they are feeling, such as relaxed, happy or frightened. Children behave very differently to adults. They are often unpredictable and some children love to hug, kiss and be close to animals, whilst others might be scared. Children are often running around, playing or shouting. Pets can find this behaviour overwhelming and threatening. Give your pet a safe space. This can be a place for your pet to retreat to when they need. Children’s behaviour can tire pets out, so allow them to have time to rest quietly.
Skye Lubowitz
2025-05-28 03:33:13
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Children will develop an important and necessary understanding of safe and considerate behaviour around the dogs they know and live with, and those they may see out and about in the community. Our workshops focus on the theme of staying safe around dogs, and our supplementary resources help cover topics such as responsible dog ownership and building confidence around dogs. We help all children have safer interactions with dogs in different settings. Research conducted, tells us that the most at-risk in the UK for dog bites are primary school-aged children, when at home. So, we focus largely on safe behaviours around dogs in the home; but also, dogs of friends, family, and strangers when out and about. Our goal is to reach as many young people as possible and create a lasting impact. Our workshops are designed using behavioural science to help children behave in a safer way around all dogs. We offer a two-visit option for further learning, which includes an important additional topic - how to play safely with dogs.
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What should children not do around dogs?
Children should never be left unsupervised with any dog, whether at home or out on a walk – regardle Read More
Liam Grant
2025-05-28 00:52:35
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Children should be actively supervised when they are around dogs, this also gives you an opportunity to remind them of how to behave and make sure that both children and dogs are safe and happy in each others company. Dogs should be left alone when they are eating, are chewing a toy, have puppies, are sleeping or resting, are in bed or under a chair or table, are sick or injured, trying to move away. Do not allow children and dogs to play chase or wrestling games – both are exciting and can easily get out hand and someone is likely to get hurt or upset. It’s also important that children are taught not to tease, poke, or sneak up and surprise dogs – this is likely to be very scary for them and may result in the dog behaving defensively. If a dog you don't know approaches you, stand still and do not make any noise. If you are carrying food or toys, drop them on the floor away from you. Keep your arms folded and look away from the dog. If you need to move away, do this slowly.
Madaline Prohaska
2025-05-27 23:27:34
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Children tend to treat pet dogs as their peers, they hug them, try to cuddle them, pick them up and scold them.
Children express their affection for their family and friends through very close facial contact, often kissing.
Much of this is exactly the opposite to dog social behaviour and your dog may find it threatening.
Stay with your children around dogs – never leave your child alone in the same room as your dog, even your own.
Interact with dogs at the right times – teach your child not to approach dogs when they're eating or having a treat playing with a toy or something else they really like sleeping unwell, injured, or tired blind or deaf.
Be gentle – teach your child to be kind and polite to dogs.
Don't let your child climb on dogs, pull their ears or do anything you wouldn't allow them to do to another child.
Things to avoid: taking people’s food bothering dogs when they are eating stealing other people’s toys taking away a dog’s treats or toys putting your face right up to your dog’s face bothering your dog while they’re asleep bothering animals when they are resting.
grabbing dogs’ tails or ears climbing on or trampling on your dog hugging.
Most dogs dislike it screaming around people screaming and shouting around dogs.
Use your ‘inside’ voice instead
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How to teach children not to be cruel to animals?
Teach your children to have respect for animals. Set a good example by being respectful towards anim Read More
Cayla Gibson
2025-05-27 23:08:00
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: 17
Children should never be left unsupervised with any dog, whether at home or out on a walk – regardless of the breed or how well they know them. Teach your children to respect your dog’s physical and emotional welfare. They shouldn’t tease your dog, pull their fur or tail, or take their food away from them. Children should never approach a sleeping, eating, unwell or tired dog. Teach them these simple rules to help keep your children safe: Always ask the owner before approaching, stroking or playing with a dog. Never rush up to a dog, be calm and make slow movements so you don’t frighten him. Hold out your hand and let him come to you. If he doesn’t want to come, leave him alone. Don’t stare directly into a dog’s eyes. If a dog growls at you or seems aggressive, stay calm and slowly walk away. If a dog is eating, drinking, sleeping or tied up, you should leave him alone.