08/08/2025
We know how much you love your dogs - and your children. And most of the time, things go just fine. But every year, we’re contacted by families devastated that a dog has snapped or bitten - often during busy times like school holidays.
And more often than not, the dog was showing signs they were uncomfortable… but no one realised. 😢
That’s why we’re sharing this important reminder.
It’s not about blame - it’s about awareness and safety.
🐶 Things we shouldn’t allow children to do with dogs:
🚫 Sit or lie on them
🚫 Grab their face or kiss them
🚫 Climb into their bed or crate
🚫 Disturb them while eating, chewing, or sleeping
🚫 Chase after them to grab toys or food
These moments might look sweet - but for many dogs, they feel overwhelming or even threatening. Most bites don’t come “out of the blue” - they come after a dog has been trying to say no in the only ways they know how.
📊 Did you know? 77% of dog bites come from the family dog or a friend’s dog.
These aren’t dangerous dogs - they’re just dogs who have been pushed past their comfort zone.
✅ What we can teach instead:
💛 Sit on the floor, not on the dog
💛 Pet-pet-pause - 3 seconds of gentle stroking, then stop and see if the dog wants more. If not respect their space.
💛 Let sleeping dogs lie - rest time is important for everyone
💛 Give them space when eating or chewing
💛 Let the dog choose when to interact
With supervision, kindness, and a little knowledge, dogs and children can grow up safely and happily together.
📩 If you’re ever unsure, or your dog is showing signs they’re uncomfortable, drop me a message - I’m always here to help.
For extra support, these resources are also worth a look:
🔗 Kids Around Dogs (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/KADkidsarounddogs
🔗 The Family Dog (page)https://www.facebook.com/thefamilydogpros
