Pure and innocent – those are the first adjectives that come to mind when talking about dogs and children.
However, dogs and toddlers can be both exhausting and a rewarding combination.
Experienced owners fully understand their dog’s behavior and they know how to socialize their pooch around children. They also know how to socialize their youngsters around the family dog.
But, what about inexperienced dog owners who wonder “How to train your dog to get along with children?”
When you think about it, a dog’s behavior is very similar to a child’s and vice versa. Most dogs show insane amounts of energy and most children play along.
While both children and dogs understand the do’s and don’ts to some extent, there is always that little something in their behavior that makes parents worry.
There is no denying that children love dogs and that they experience all sorts of emotions when playing with them. However, both children and dogs can be a little rough towards each other.
This is why you should learn how to train your dog to get along with children so that everyone can relax!
How To Train Your Dog To Get Along With Children – Choosing The Right Breed
This one is for all aspiring owners who are thinking about getting a family dog.
There are so many different dog breeds that show various personality traits and most prospective owners have trouble deciding on the perfect one for their family.
Choosing between high-maintenance and low-maintenance dog breeds might play a decisive role in the dog-child relationship. This is simply because high-maintenance breeds require more work to be done around them.
If poorly trained, a high-maintenance dog can become a nuisance to your family.
In fact, every dog that is not properly socialized and trained can be a walking hazard to both you and your child.
When it comes to low-maintenance breeds, these dogs truly live up to their reputation – they are outgoing, laid-back, gentle, and loyal.
With such great personality traits, a low-maintenance dog’s behavior is easier to mold and regulate. If you have already chosen a desired breed, here is how to train your dog to get along with children!
Socialize Your Puppy And Your Child
First and foremost, early socialization is crucial with any dog breed. The new family puppy must be exposed to many different human and animal interactions as often as possible.
When it comes to children, they too need to be socialized around the puppy. The majority of children who are not exposed to dogs often don’t know how to properly behave towards them.
Many of us could all agree that children can be unpredictable around puppies and adult dogs.
This is considered a completely normal behavior during the first child-dog interactions. However, children must be taught to respect the dog’s space and feelings.
If they are meeting for the first time, try to prevent your child from shouting, while the dog sniffs and greets it.
Introduce Your Dog To Your Child
Creating a good relationship between the child and the dog should be a priority to all parents.
Dogs use their noses to meet and greet each other, as well as to get to know their humans. Having your dog sniff your child’s clothing, blanket, and toys prior to their first interaction will make the whole process easier.
The dog will memorize the scent very well and it will have no trouble recognizing your child – its new best friend!
Additionally, you can take your dog outside to meet other children and play with them.
Build A Healthy Relationship
Dogs are mirrors of the owner’s personalities which means that their behavior will reflect your inner state.
Energy passing between dogs and humans goes both ways – if your dog is happy and easy-going, you will be too. However, if your dog is stressed out, you may become a nervous wreck.
Children are active and energetic, which means that the dog will behave the same in their presence. Set The Rules
In order to establish a positive relationship between your dog and your child, you have to lay down some house rules. This means letting your dog know that jumping on your child is not nice and eating from your child’s plate is another no-no.
That said, let your child know that they should not feed the dog while they are eating.
If your dog sleeps in its bed, then letting it know that sleeping in your child’s bed will not be tolerated.
Do not shout or scream at your dog if it doesn’t immediately obey your commands because this will make your dog to link your child with negative emotions.
Use Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement training is perhaps the best answer to “How to train your dog to get along with children”. In fact, if you were to ask your dog, it would probably tell you the same!
To put simply, reward your dog with yummy treats for behaving nicely towards children. This way, your dog will understand that good behavior towards children is always going to be rewarded.
Remember to praise and reward your dog repeatedly so it gets the message faster!
Conclusion
How to train your dog to get along with children is an important topic to talk about because having a dog plays a huge role in your child’s life.
If trained correctly, your family dog will do wonders for your child’s development and mental state.
As time goes by, your child will get to know your dog’s personality and body language better.
Same goes for your dog – once it gets to know the children, it will be more relaxed around them.
Aspiring owners should choose child-friendly dog breeds, whereas current dog owners should take baby steps in introducing their dog to their new baby!
Be calm, certain, and persistent when training your dog to get along with children. If you are not sure if you’re training your dog correctly, you can always consult a professional dog trainer that specializes in dog training for children.