Dogs and Kids: Keeping everyone safe

Experienced mom and dog behavior consultant, Jennifer Shryock, gives 10 helpful tips on what to do when children visit your home and you have a dog. I thought this was worth passing along

1. Plan ahead: Will you introduce the child and dog. How will you do it?
2. Is the child fearful of dogs? This is important to know.
3. Have a place for your dog to safely have quiet time away from the children. Crate, yard, gated off area that the kids are not going to disturb him.
4. ADULT SUPERVISION NO MATTER WHAT when the dog is around children. If an adult is not there to defer to when a dog is stressed, then he will defer to his natural responses to stress.
5. If your dog is not comfortable with kids, then respect that and get help from a dog behavior consultant to work on helping him be more comfortable. It’s okay to put doggie away. When in doubt leave him out.
6. If it’s a doggy home then have a kid zone! This is a place the dog can not come in without an adult. It is the kids play space that is completely dog free.
7. If there are multiple dogs in the home then consider only allowing one out with you at a time.
8. When your child visits a home with a dog be sure to ask the rules and safety measures the parents have in place.
9. Trust your gut. Follow your instincts. If it feels unsafe….it most likely is. Do not wait to find out.
10. Never allow children to play in a yard unsupervised if a dog is in the yard.