As a dog owner, one of the most critical things you can do is ensure that your dog is well-behaved around children. It’s so important. Dogs are amazing companions, but they can also be unpredictable around kids, especially if they're not properly trained or socialized.

So, in this blog, I'll be sharing ten ways you can ensure that your dog always behaves around children. These tips are based on research and personal experience, so you can trust that they'll be effective.

Let's get started!

1. Start Socializing Your Dog Early

Socialization is crucial for dogs, especially if you want them to be well-behaved around children. Start socializing your dog at a young age by introducing them to new people, places, and experiences. This will help them become more comfortable and confident around children.

2. Teach Your Dog Basic Commands

Teaching your dog basic commands, such as "sit," "stay," and "come," is essential for ensuring they behave around children. These commands will help you control your dog's behavior in different situations and prevent them from jumping on or biting children.

3. Supervise Your Dog Around Children

Always, always, always… supervise your dog when they're around children, even if you think they're well-behaved. Dogs are amazing friends and family members. But they still have “animal instincts” that can trigger “fight mode”. Some of those triggers can be quite be quite unexpected and unpredictable. So, in simple words, it's better to be safe than sorry… supervision is critical!

4. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is an effective way to train your dog and ensure they behave around children. Reward your dog with treats, praise, and affection when they exhibit good behavior around children.

5. Teach Your Children How to Behave Around Dogs

Teaching your children how to behave around dogs is just as important as training your dog. Teach them not to pull on a dog's tail or ears, and not to approach a dog when they're eating or sleeping.

6. Give Your Dog Plenty of Exercise

Dogs that are well-exercised are generally more relaxed and calm, which can help them behave around children. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise, such as daily walks or playtime in the backyard.

7. Keep Your Dog on a Leash in Public

When you're out in public with your dog, keep them on a leash. This will prevent them from running up to children and potentially causing harm.

8. Teach Your Dog to Be Calm with Excited Children

Children can be very excitable, which can cause dogs to become anxious or agitated. Teach your dog to be calm around excited children by rewarding them for calm behavior and removing them from the situation if they become too overwhelmed.

9. Provide Your Dog with a Safe Space

Dogs need a safe space where they can retreat to if they feel overwhelmed or anxious. Provide your dog with a designated safe space, such as a crate or a quiet room, where they can go to relax.

10. Seek Professional Help if Necessary

If your dog is exhibiting aggressive or unpredictable behavior around children, do seek professional help from a veterinarian or dog trainer early. They can help you address the issue with more specific advice in relation to your dog, its life history, its routine and your particular circumstances (your living space, lifestyle, co-inhabitants, visitors et cetera) with the aim of ensuring your dog is safe to be around children.

Wrapping Up

Ensuring that your dog behaves around children is essential for their safety and well-being. By following these ten tips, you can help your dog become a well-behaved companion that's safe to be around children. Remember to start socializing your dog early, teach them basic commands, supervise them around children, and use positive reinforcement to train them. With a little bit of effort and patience, you can ensure that your dog always behaves around children (but never forget Tip #3!).