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Blog](/bark-blog/) - Creating Safe Homes for Kids and Dogs: Why Dog Safety for Kids Matters [Back to Blog](/bark-blog/) DogTech Team February 20, 2024 Creating Safe Homes for Kids and Dogs: Why Dog Safety for Kids Matters. There's nothing quite like the excitement of a child spotting a dog – whether it's on the street, at a friend's house, or welcoming a new furry family member home. There's nothing quite like the excitement of a child spotting a dog – whether it's on the street, at a friend's house, or welcoming a new furry family member home. But that excitement needs to be balanced with education about safe interactions. The bond between children and dogs can be incredibly rewarding—but it requires guidance, supervision, and an understanding of how both parties communicate. Teaching children how to interact safely with dogs isn't just about preventing bites; it's about building mutual respect and setting the foundation for a lifelong love of animals. ## Common Mistakes That Put Kids at Risk Many well-meaning families unintentionally create situations that put children at risk. Here are some of the most common mistakes: - **Assuming "my dog would never bite"** – Any dog can bite under the right circumstances. Pain, fear, resource guarding, or overstimulation can trigger defensive behaviour in even the gentlest dog. - **Leaving children and dogs unsupervised** – Most bites happen when an adult isn't present. Even a few seconds can be enough for an interaction to go wrong. - **Not teaching children to read dog body language** – Kids often miss the subtle signs that a dog is uncomfortable—and by the time they notice, it may be too late. - **Allowing children to approach dogs without permission** – Not every dog wants to be patted, and not every owner wants strangers approaching their dog. ## Teaching Kids to Interact Safely with Dogs Here are some key rules to teach your children—whether they're interacting with your own dog or meeting dogs in the community: 1. **Always ask permission** – Before patting any dog, ask the owner first. If there's no owner present, don't approach. 2. **Let the dog come to you** – Don't chase, corner, or reach over a dog's head. Let them sniff your hand first and approach on their own terms. 3. **Avoid the face** – Pat the chest or side, not the top of the head. Many dogs find head pats threatening. 4. **Leave dogs alone when they're eating, sleeping, or chewing** – These are high-value moments when dogs are more likely to guard resources. 5. **Recognise "go away" signals** – Turning away, yawning, lip licking, whale eye, or walking away are all signs a dog wants space. ## Creating a Safe Environment at Home If you have both children and dogs in your home, here's how to set everyone up for success: - **Give your dog a safe retreat** – A crate, bed, or room where they can go when they need a break from the action - **Supervise all interactions** – Especially with young children who are still learning boundaries - **Teach by example** – Show your children how to interact calmly and respectfully with the dog - **Address behavioural concerns early** – If your dog is showing signs of stress or reactivity around children, seek professional guidance * * * ## Want to create a safer home for your kids and dog? Book a Behaviour Assessment with DogTech® today. We'll help you understand your dog's behaviour and teach your family how to interact safely and respectfully. ## Need Expert Help With Your Dog? Our experienced trainers can help you implement these strategies and more. Get personalized guidance tailored to your dog's unique needs. REQUEST A CONSULTATION ## Related Articles [ ![What Happens When Council Gets Involved With Your Dog?](/assets/blog-post-1-thumb-qoaN2biI.webp) ### What Happens When Council Gets Involved With Your Dog? When Councils Get Involved – What Dog Owners Need to Know. No dog owner wants to receive a letter—or worse, a knock at the door—informing them their dog has been reported to council. Whether the complaint is about barking, escaping, or concerning behaviour in public, it can feel upsetting and overwhelming. ](/what-happens-when-council-gets-involved-with-your-dog/)[ ![Recognising Early Signs of Aggression and Insecurity in Dogs](/assets/blog-post-3-thumb-BVkmcL3l.webp) ### Recognising Early Signs of Aggression and Insecurity in Dogs Recognising Early Signs of Aggression and Insecurity in Dogs. Dogs are incredibly expressive animals but often, their early signals of stress or discomfort go unnoticed until their behaviour escalates. ](/recognising-early-signs-of-aggression-and-insecurity-in-dogs/)[ ![What to Do When Your Child Acts Aggressively Toward Your Dog](/assets/blog-post-4-thumb-BdVSPfYV.webp) ### What to Do When Your Child Acts Aggressively Toward Your Dog What to Do When Your Child Acts Aggressively Toward Your Dog. Children and dogs can be the best of friends – but building that bond takes time, supervision and plenty of gentle guidance. ](/what-to-do-when-your-child-acts-aggressively-toward-your-dog/) [View All Articles](/bark-blog/) ![DogTech](data:image/png;base64,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) ## Follow our blog and social media Join us for discussions and tips about life with your dog: behaviour, health, nutrition, fitness, and fun. 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