18/07/2025
Yesterday I was working with two large dogs in the park. As we walked along a child ran up to us yelling "Dogs!" and started trying to touch the dogs. I intervened and told them her that she needed to ask if it was ok first. Her parents laughed. When the dogs' owner gave her permission to pet the dogs she bent down, put her face right up to one of the dogs and tried to kiss him. Again, we intervened and again the parents laughed. This time everything was fine... the dogs were cool and no damage was done...but the next time? The same behaviour with a different dog could have a very different outcome with potentially traumatic results for everyone.
Children are at risk of being bitten by dogs when they aren't adequately supervised and/or they haven't been taught how to interact appropriately & respectfully - when they've been allowed to approach dogs indiscriminately, allowed to invade their space, hug them, pick them up, sit on them, mess with their food bowls or climb in their beds. When they haven't been taught to ask permission and they haven't been taught that dogs aren't playthings. And none of those things are the dog's fault.
Things every parent should teach their child -
• always ask permission before you touch a dog
• not all dogs want to be petted
• pat gently, with one hand from collar to tail
• no kisses, hugs or picking dogs up
• leave dogs alone when they are sleeping, resting or eating
• dogs aren't playthings
Dogs & children can be a wonderful, joyful combination and good relationships can be hugely beneficial to both. But only if dogs are taught how to behave around children and, crucially, children are taught how to behave around dogs.
(PS …and when children do approach politely and ask permission we should always praise them profusely for asking, even if the answer is ‘no’)