When Hairy Met Sally

The relationship between humans and dogs has been evolving for thousands of years. They have become part of our families; often being referred to as “fur-kids” by their owners. We have invited them into our homes, cars and sometimes even jobs. This is why when one of our trusted companions bites someone, we are shocked! Sadly, the majority of these incidents involve children.

This dog's eye position and flicking tongue say "I'm uncomfortable"

The dynamic between a child and their dog is a special one, but it needs to be closely monitored. Parents are often surprised when a bite happens, saying things like “Rover loves Sally, he even sleeps in her bed! How could this have happened?” These bites can seem to come out of the blue, but for those of us who understand a dog’s body language there have been many warning signs. Generally by the time a bite has occurred, the dog in question has been patient for a long time.

In order to really respect a dog as part of our family, we have to be able to communicate with them effectively. This doesn’t just mean dogs obeying our commands, but also us humans understanding what they are trying to say. Since dogs can’t speak, we have to rely on their body language. Recognizing when a dog is overly excited or afraid is critical when they are interacting with children. When a dog is overstimulated, they are much more likely to bite.

This image shows some common canine body language

While it is important for adults to be able to read a dog’s body language, it is a difficult thing for children to understand. For that reason, children should NEVER be left alone with a dog, even one they’ve known their whole lives. Even the most patient, well behaved dogs can reach their breaking points. Children must be taught how to respect a dog’s personal space. You wouldn’t let your children climb all over company or pull on grandma’s ears because it's rude. The same rules should apply to your dog. 

Children should always give dogs plenty of space when food is present

There is a lot of information available to help protect both your child and your dog. Stopthe77 is a website created by two dog trainers who happen to also be moms. Their goal is to decrease the number of children bitten by family dogs. Check out their video to see what happens leading up to a bite from both the kid and the dog’s perspective. Dr. Sophia Yin also has a lot of excellent articles on her website to help understand what your dog is trying to tell you.
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The important message to take home is that you must supervise ALL interactions between your children and your dog. Both can be unpredictable and accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. You need to be able to recognize when your dog is stressed and teach your children to respect Fido’s personal space as they would anyone else’s. Dog’s are not toys or furniture, they are living breathing beings that deserve our respect. It is the responsibility of the adult to make sure everyone, child and dog alike are safe.