09/14/2025
Kids and Dogs
We know that dogs can be dangerous when pressed, and it can happen even with the most friendly dog. Keeping young children and dogs separate will lessen the danger, but we want our kids and pets to be able to build their own bond.
How do we achieve this harmony?
In any case, it's best to start out slow. Having our dog crate trained or trained to baby gates or pen is useful. There will be a place that kids never go, the dogs private space. This boundary will need to be enforced by vigilance. The dog's crate is their private space (for dogs without crates, a pen or dog room will suffice). This should be a less trafficked area of the house, a place that is easily shut off from kids.
We won't allow:
-fingers in the crate
-children in the crate
-harassing the dog near the crate
A few baby gates will be useful as well, as we can easily limit the children's access to the dog.
Outside of the dogs private space, and always supervised, we will allow:
-gentle petting
-gentle play with toys(if the dog can contain their excitement. Training them "gentle" or "easy" is paramount)
-doing activities near the dog, with minimal interaction
-allow the dog to be curious
-send the dog to a "place" near your child, so they can watch without getting in their face
Always keep interactions short starting out, and give plenty of rewards and praise for good behavior!
What will NOT be allowed:
-getting in the face of the dog
-letting the dog take food from the child
-climbing on the dog
-the dog jumping and climbing on the child
-rough play/playing with dog's mouth on the child's body
-hitting/hard petting of the dog/touching the dogs face, climbing on the dog, pulling the dogs ears, tail, or fur
As always, keep an eye on your dog's stress level. Loose, relaxed body language is good. If the dog displays overly energetic, stiff body language, hard staring, separate the dog and child immediately. Make sure to stay calm and if you have to put the dog up, give them something to work on like a kong with their favorite treat.
Introducing babies
When introducing your dog to your baby, start as early as possible. When pregnant, let them get used to the smells and create positive interactions. Let them see and hear the toys and baby area, such as crib or bouncer.
Playing recordings of infant sounds will also help your dog prepare for the many different (and likely loud) sounds from the baby. Start on low volume and slowly increase.
You can use a baby doll before the baby comes home, rocking, "feeding", "changing", and carrying it around.
Make sure that someone is in charge of meeting your dog's needs consistently, so that the dog will not be forgotten during the early baby stages when most of your focus will involve your new little one.
Hiring a pet care professional to take your dog on walks and give them playtime will reduce the amount of stress to the new parents. Accept assistance from willing and trustworthy family members.
Even if this isn't your first child, they will take up a great majority of the time you may have spent with your dog beforehand.
It's helpful to have a dog with a solid "place" trained, and reward calm behavior, and do more brain games versus rowdy play, because there will likely be a lot more downtime than your dog is used to.
Dogs who love to retrieve can be enriched by bringing you things and "help" clean up and put away their toys, or other items. It's a fun game for the dog, and doesn't require too much physical strain from the owner.
Once your new baby is in the home, you will want interactions to take place during calm moments, at first letting your dog get familiar with baby's smell and sounds from a distance, and graduating to sitting nearby on the couch or on their bed. Let then be curious, but it's good to limit any close interaction while baby is still very small. Each positive interaction will build familiarity with your child, so that your dog does not become stressed out or jealous.
Supervision is key in dog to kid interactions, as well as making sure that your dog's physical and mental needs are met! If precautions are taken early on, you can build a great bond between your dog and children 🐾🐕
