Baby, Toddler & Kid Bonding
I understand when reading through managing children and dogs there are a lot Do Not's to prevent children from bothering your dog so much. It can be a bit defeating... there is so much we can't allow, but what can we allow? Actually SO MUCH! The main idea when managing children, babies and dogs is to harbor positive interactions. Not only what we humans find to be positive, but also what the dog finds positive as well. Those two are not always that same. Here are some bonding tips, games and other ideas for your babies, toddlers, kids and dogs to do together!
Instead of...
⛔ Instead of Hugs and Kisses have them ✅ "Blow a kiss!" or "Wave" or gently pet the dogs back. Never allow your toddler or toddlers friends to "give kisses or hugs" to the dog. Dogs, in fact, do not show or receive affection in the form of hugs.
⛔ Instead of Child Holding the Leash ✅ have two leashes attached to your dog! One for you for safety and on for your child to hold! Leashed Walks are a great way for the whole family to bond. NEVER have your toddler or child hold the leash.
⛔ Instead of Handing Dog a Treat ✅ do a Treat Toss! Do not have your toddler offer treats to your dog if your dog is uncomfortable or if your dog is overzealous and mouthy. Instead, have your child toss treats about 5 feet away from them and have your dog chase the treats! Win, win!
⛔ Instead of Child Holding the Leash ✅ have two leashes attached to your dog! One for you for safety and on for your child to hold! Leashed Walks are a great way for the whole family to bond. NEVER have your toddler or child hold the leash.
⛔ Instead of Handing Dog a Treat ✅ do a Treat Toss! Do not have your toddler offer treats to your dog if your dog is uncomfortable or if your dog is overzealous and mouthy. Instead, have your child toss treats about 5 feet away from them and have your dog chase the treats! Win, win!
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⛔ Instead of Sitting in Dog Bed or Crate ✅ have your toddlers and kids share space with your dog by sitting next to them in neutral comfy zone. The dog bed and crate is your dogs safe space and not where your children should be allowed. This also allows your dog freedom of choice when it comes to interaction with the children on their terms and teaches your children not to go into the dogs private spaces. Having your child read books and tell stories to your dog is an incredible way for them to bond.
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Routine
Bring your child in on your dog's daily routine
One of the most wonderful parts of having children and dogs grow up together is being able to teach them responsibility and care for another being other than themselves. From an early age, children will observe you feed, walk, bath and train your dog. They can join you when you bring your dog to the veterinarian where they can learn about vaccines, diet, annual exams and other age appropriate dog conditions. Empathy, mutual respect and caring for animals are core values you can instill in your children when you teach them dogs are not only here for us to hug and cuddle.
Feeding
One of the most wonderful parts of having children and dogs grow up together is being able to teach them responsibility and care for another being other than themselves. From an early age, children will observe you feed, walk, bath and train your dog. They can join you when you bring your dog to the veterinarian where they can learn about vaccines, diet, annual exams and other age appropriate dog conditions. Empathy, mutual respect and caring for animals are core values you can instill in your children when you teach them dogs are not only here for us to hug and cuddle.
Feeding
- With your dog sitting back and away from the bin, have your child fill the dog bowl with the measure amount of kibble.
- They can carry the dog bowl over and help put whatever fixins or water into it.
- Stand next to your child while they hold the bowl and ask your dog to Sit and Wait. Have your child put the food bowl down, then release your dog to the bowl.
- Do not allow your child and dog to be touching to going for the food bowl or bin at the same time.
- Have a leash on your dog if you need added control.
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Walking
It is important not to allow a child to solely hold the leash of your dog on a walk who is not physically capable of matching and exceeding your dogs strength. Children can get seriously injured being dragged over by a dog and your dog can easily get loose which puts them in danger. An easy way to allow your child to "walk" your dog without the dangers, is by attaching two leashes to your dogs collar or harness. One of the leashes the adult will hold and use to control the dog. The other can be held by your child! |
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Games
Agility Jumps or Homemade Obstacle Course
Having your child and dog play games that allow side-by-side forward motion and tasks are an excellent way for them to bond! Dog's generally have mazing problem solving skills that are wildly under utilized. You child can easily lure your dog over agility jumps, jumping on a rock or even going through a tunnel.
Round Robin Recall
Having your child and dog play games that allow side-by-side forward motion and tasks are an excellent way for them to bond! Dog's generally have mazing problem solving skills that are wildly under utilized. You child can easily lure your dog over agility jumps, jumping on a rock or even going through a tunnel.
Round Robin Recall
- Give everyone playing a handful of yummy treats, spread out and stay standing up.
- Have one person at a time call your dogs name and move backwards while everyone else stays still and quiet.
- The dog will take off in the direction of the person/child calling them! When this happens, give the dog a few treats by either hand to treat toss on the ground! If you treat toss on the ground say Find It!
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Two Toy Fetch
If your dog enjoys playing with toys or fetch, having two or even three toys for your child and toy to trade off tossing, chewing and holding are great ways to avoid your child reaching for a toy that is already in your dogs possession. Blowing Bubbles are a great little game for dogs and kids to play together. They even make bacon and peanut butter flavored bubbles for dogs! |
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Turn and Sit
This is a great game to help your dog stop jumping on your children and instead learn to sit or lay down in front of them in order to get pets.
This is a great game to help your dog stop jumping on your children and instead learn to sit or lay down in front of them in order to get pets.
- Have your dog on a leash and give your child a handful of treats.
- Have your child grab your dogs by saying Let's Go attention then walk away so your dog follows them.
- After about 5-10 steps, abruptly have your child about face so they are now facing your dog.
- Ask the dog to sit/down with a verbal cue and hand motion. You are there holding the leash for added control just in case your dog gets jumpy.
- When the dog sits or downs have the child treat toss with Find It cue.
- Repeat
Search Game
Dogs are natural foragers. They love to have their nose to the ground sniffing, pawing and nosing. Lets use that to our advantage and turn it into a game!
Dogs are natural foragers. They love to have their nose to the ground sniffing, pawing and nosing. Lets use that to our advantage and turn it into a game!
- Have your dog on the leash and give your child a handful of treats.
- Have you, your child and dog all standing together and you (the adult) put your foot on the leash.
- Have your child walk out and place pile of treats down about 10 feet away within your dogs view then have your child return to you and your dog.
- Have your child say Find It!, point to where the treat was placed and release your dog to search for the treats.
- Stay silent and still while your dog is searching for the treats. We don't want to distract them!
- Cheer and clap when your dog does find the treats!!
Hide and Seek
This is a great game to play indoors or even outside in a safe area using trees!
This is a great game to play indoors or even outside in a safe area using trees!
- Have an adult hold the dog in place in one area.
- Have the child run off and find a good hiding spot!
- When the child is ready, they can call your dog and you can release and say Where is he/she!?
- When your dog finds your child, reward, cheer and praise!
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Trick Training
Teaching tricks are a fantastic way for your child and dog to bond! Click the book below to order an awesome book all about Tricks your kids can teach your dogs! |
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