There's nothing cuter than toddlers and dogs together, but of course you will be worried about their safety. Toddlers don't know where the limits are when it comes to playing with your dog, and the dog can be pushed to their limit.
That's not to say you can't have a dog if you have a toddler. You just need to know how you can teach them to play safely and gently. Here's some tips to help you out.
Don't Assume Your Dog's Breed Makes Them Safe
Some pet owners will assume that their dog would never hurt their toddler, as they're a 'safe' breed. It's easy to fall into that trap, as some breeds have been painted to be safe and others to be vicious. The fact is, every single dog breed can cause harm if they're pushed far enough.
As such, don't just trust that it's safe to leave your toddler and your dog alone together. Even if your dog is usually mild mannered, if they're upset enough they will lash out.
2. Learn To Read Your Dog's Body Language
Just like humans, dogs have body language cues that let you know how they're feeling. It's a very good idea to learn the signs that your dog is starting to feel stressed out, and could use a break from your toddler.
“You may see your dog licking their lips, yawning, staring at your child with very big eyes” says a pet blogger Sarah Piers. “They may also display avoidance behaviors, like trying to get away from your toddler.” If you see your dog doing any of these things, you'll want to separate the two so the dog can get a break.
3. Teach Your Child To Be Gentle
The toddler instinct is to grab any fluffy animal before it tries to get away. It's understandable, but your dog just isn't going to like that. As such, you will need to teach your child to be gentle when they interact with them.
You can teach them the best way to pet and look after a dog by using a stuffed animal as a test subject. Show them how they can introduce themselves to a dog by holding out their hands for them to sniff, and how to pet them gently.
4. Always Supervise Your Dog And Toddler
One of the most important things you should know is that you should never leave a toddler and dog alone together. It's very easy to think that you can just for a minute, especially if your dog is especially mild mannered.
While you can spot dog behavior that shows that the dog is unhappy, your child won't be able to read those signals. “As your child won't know if the dog is upset, they won't be able to respond to that” says lifestyle writer Tim Evans. “You need to ensure you're supervising, so you can intervene should you need to.” Keep a watchful eye on the pair of them whenever they're together.
5. Give The Dog Their Own Space
Just like you, your dog needs some space of their own in your home. They'll most likely love playing with your toddler, but it's a lot of excitement and stimulation. They'll need somewhere they can go to get a break, where the toddler can't follow them.
This can be any space in your home, so decide what would work for you. For example, their bed or a kennel in the backyard would work well. Teach your child that they can't follow the dog there and that they're to be left alone. As a bonus, the dog can also retreat to these safe spaces when they encounter anything else stressful, such as the sound of the vacuum cleaner.
These tips will help your toddler and dog get used to each other, and ensure that they can be safe when they interact. Read your dog's body language, and teach your child the best way to interact with them. If you prepare in advance, both your toddler and your dog can interact safely.
George J. Newton is a writer for Assignment writing services, where he covers pet care and behavior. He's also the proud owner of a two year old beagle named Bubba.