04/14/2026
My sister told me about a situation that recently happened with my niece.
Their neighbour, a young girl around 11 years old, decided to take their medium-sized dog out for a walk. The dog pulled toward my niece and lunged at her face with clear intent. Thankfully, my sister was right there and stepped in immediately, putting herself between her daughter and the dog.
In the chaos, she had to take control of the leash herself. The dog slipped out of its collar, and fortunately she was able to quickly secure it again before anything worse happened.
This brings up an important conversation.
When I sit down for consultations and ask why someone got a dog, I often hear, āitās for my childā or āitās my childās dog.ā
And yes, dogs and kids can build incredible bonds. They can teach responsibility, empathy, and connection.
But a child should not be expected to physically or mentally handle a dog alone (especially in real-world situations).
Itās not just about whether your child can hold the leash. Itās about what happens when something goes wrong.
What happens if another dog rushes them?
What happens if their dog reacts?
What happens if your child panics?
Now you have a child and a dog, both overwhelmed, both vulnerable.
This is where things escalate.
Part of responsible ownership isnāt just asking ācan my child walk this dog?ā
Itās asking ācan my child handle the worst-case scenario?ā
Because when you send your child out alone with a dog, they can become a target for situations they are not equipped to manage.
Personally, I would not have a child under 16 walking a dog unsupervised.
A better approach is involving your child while you still maintain control. Use a double leash system so they can participate safely, or ensure your dog has a high level of training where you can recall and control them verbally from a distance.
Getting a dog āfor your childā doesnāt mean handing off responsibility.
It means stepping up as the leader and setting both your child and your dog up for success.
