15/06/2026
Did you know that most dog bites involving children happen in their own home and are caused by the family’s own dog?
Dogs are loyal, loving companions and can be wonderful with children. But every dog, regardless of breed, size, or temperament, has the potential to bite if they feel scared, stressed, startled, or uncomfortable.
The good news? Many bites are preventable through education, supervision, and teaching children how to respectfully interact with dogs.
Here are a few of the most important lessons every family should know:
🐶 Never leave young children and dogs unsupervised.
Even the gentlest dog can react unexpectedly. Adult supervision is the best way to prevent accidents and ensure positive interactions.
🐶 Teach children to respect a dog’s space.
Dogs need a safe place to rest and decompress. Teach children not to bother a dog while they’re sleeping, eating, chewing a toy, or resting in their designated safe space.
🐶 No hugs, roughhousing, or face-to-face interactions.
Many dogs do not enjoy being hugged, having their ears or tails pulled, or having a child’s face close to theirs. What looks cute in a photo can sometimes make a dog uncomfortable.
🐶 Help children learn dog body language.
A relaxed dog typically has a loose body, soft expression, and relaxed tail wag. Signs a dog may be stressed include lip licking, yawning, turning away, growling, showing teeth, a tucked tail, flattened ears, stiff posture, or trying to move away.
🐶 Teach calm, gentle interactions.
Encourage children to pet dogs gently on the chest, shoulders, or back. Running, screaming, grabbing, or rough play can overwhelm even a well-behaved dog.
🐶 Strange dogs require extra caution.
Children should never approach a dog without first asking the owner for permission. If permission is given, they should approach slowly and calmly and allow the dog to sniff them before petting.
Dogs and children can have incredible lifelong friendships when we teach both sides how to succeed. Safety isn’t about fear—it’s about understanding, respect, and creating positive experiences for everyone involved.
❤️ The best way to prevent a dog bite is through education. If you found this helpful, please share it with other dog families and parents.
Every family deserves a safe, happy bond between their kids and dogs. If you need guidance with training, boundaries, or dog behavior, contact Unleashed Manners Dog Training—we’re here to help.
📧 [email protected]
☎️ 720-666-0976 (call/text)
🌐 www.unleashedmanners.com
📍 Redgranite, WI