06/08/2026
Like many of our realtor and photography friends, we hopped on this trend a couple of weeks ago and shared it privately among our friends, however over the past couple of weeks it has become a topic of discussion with clients. Weāve had several clients reach out for help navigating life with young children and dogs. Whether thatās a new baby joining the family, a toddler and puppy growing up together, or an older dog adjusting to life with young kids.
Weāve also seen an increase in social media posts about dogs being rehomed because theyāre struggling to coexist with children. While every situation is unique, many challenges can be prevented by teaching both dogs and children how to interact safely and respectfully from the beginning.
One of the most important things parents can do is create boundaries and advocate for their dog.
Many family dogs are incredibly patient. They may tolerate being hugged, poked, climbed on, grabbed, or having toys taken from them. But just because your dog tolerates those behaviors doesnāt mean they enjoy them and it certainly doesnāt mean every dog will.
Children need to learn that dogs are living beings with feelings, preferences, and boundaries. Teaching kids to:
- Pet gently
- Give dogs space when theyāre resting, eating, or chewing on a toy
- Ask permission before approaching unfamiliar dogs
- Respect when a dog walks away
- Avoid hugging, climbing on, or pulling ears and tails
ā¦helps keep both children and dogs safe.
At the same time, itās our responsibility as adults to recognize when our dogs need a break and to step in before they feel the need to advocate for themselves. Management, supervision, and teaching respectful interactions go a long way toward building a positive relationship between kids and dogs.
Remember: a dog that walks away, hides, growls, or shows signs of discomfort isnāt being ābadā, theyāre communicating. The goal is to listen to those signals and help everyone feel safe and respected.
When we teach children how to properly interact with dogs from a young age, weāre not only protecting our own family dog, weāre helping create safer interactions with every dog they meet throughout their lives.
š Disclaimer: While this photo is meant to be a fun take on the āLooks like youāre expectingā¦ā trend, we do not offer separate dog-training-for-kids classes. š
What we do offer is tailored private lessons that can be family-centered training that helps dogs and children learn to coexist safely and successfully. Whether youāre preparing for a new baby, navigating life with toddlers and dogs, or helping an older dog adjust to a growing family, weāre happy to work with the whole family to establish healthy routines, boundaries, and communication between kids and dogs.
