Mary Allen
A friendship between child and dog can be a great experience for both sides. However, there are a few things, especially for the parents, that you have to consider from the outset so that both sides can grow up relaxed and safe. Here you can find out what you need to pay attention to in detail.
Important Things First
On the dog side, it is not the breed that is decisive for the right playmate, but the individual character of the dog: You should not choose a dog that does not like to be submissive or generally has a problem with jealousy or stress. On the other hand, a gentle dog that is balanced and calm and can master different situations is ideal. It is also important that he already has the necessary basic obedience. Having a puppy and a baby at the same time is a double stressor that should be avoided. It becomes easier with a puppy when the child is at least three years old.
Various statistics show that growing up with a dog is definitely a positive thing: Dogs make children happy, healthy, and mentally strong and they get closed, shy children to come out.
General Tips
Under this sub-item, we would like to list some general information that will make life easier with a dog and child. If the dog is already in the family before the baby, you should let him sniff baby things before direct contact so that he gets used to the smell. You should also let him sniff the child at the first meeting. The next step must be decided by each parent: For dogs, mutual licking is an important step in bonding and a friendly dog will try to lick the baby. From a bacteriological point of view, the dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s mouth, it even contains antibiotic substances. So if you let the dog lick the baby (in a controlled manner and in moderation, of course), the bond between the two will often develop faster.
In general, it is important that the dog has a safe retreat: This is especially important when the child starts to crawl and become mobile. The areas where the dog eats rests and sleeps should be off-limits for the toddler. Such an “indoor kennel” (meaning positive) is relaxing for everyone because the dog has its peace and the parents know that both dog and child are safe. By the way, you can turn the child’s presence into something positive for the dog by paying more attention to it and giving it a treat or two.
Similarities and Bonding
Now it’s about strengthening the bond between the two. This is important for several reasons: it creates trust, prevents aggression, and requires both to be more considerate of the other. In general, many dogs take on the role of educator when a baby comes into the family: they develop into useful helpers and playmates for the growing child.
Such a bond is primarily created through joint ventures. This includes suitable games (e.g. fetch games), loving caresses, and rest periods together. The important thing is to make the encounters as pleasant as possible for both of you. Older children should also help train the dog and take responsibility. This includes, for example, going for a walk or practicing certain training units. However, as parents, you always have to consider the balance of power. For example, a six-year-old can handle a miniature poodle, but certainly not a wolfhound.
Ranking and Prohibitions
There is often controversy on this point, as there is enough material for disagreements among dog lovers even without children. In general, when dealing with children and dogs, the ranking in the “pack” is less important, because this is where the problem of strength arises: In nature, the wolves in the pack determine the ranking among themselves, the pack leader does not intervene. As soon as the dog realizes that the child cannot fulfill the more dominant role, it will assert itself. As a parent, you hardly want your three-year-old daughter to fight for a higher position yourself.
That’s why you shouldn’t get bogged down in the order of precedence, but fall back on the establishment of prohibitions and rules: Such prohibitions can be created by anyone in the pack and are independent of the order of precedence. For example, the parents must show the dog that physical conflicts are an absolute taboo and will not be tolerated.
They must act as mediators between the child and the dog, educating and correcting both sides equally. Once the dog knows that the parents are competent partners and pack leaders, it will trust them to withdraw from difficult situations and let them take the lead. Since the toddler is too young up to a certain age to react equally to prohibitions, the parents have to step in here. So if the baby is harassing the dog and the dog is showing its discomfort, you shouldn’t punish the dog; instead, you should consistently and quickly, but casually, take the child away and teach him to leave the dog alone if he doesn’t want to.
Your dog learns to trust you and does not feel threatened by the child. Therefore, do not send the dog out or take away its toy if it growls at the child, for example This only creates negative connections with the child, which can have a strong impact on the relationship in the future.
In general, the threatening growl should not be punished: It is rather a valuable signal in the communication between dog and child or the parents. The dog learns (if you react as just described) that the parents react immediately to the growling and take the child away or stop the behavior that is bothering it. In this way, more threatening situations do not arise in the first place.