There is nothing more disconcerting than realizing your dog has aggression issues directed at children. This can be highly problematic if your dog lives in a home with children or in an area with a high number of children. Every type of aggression should be seen by a professional, but in the case of aggression with children, it is highly imperative to consult with a professional. In a variety of cases, depending on the severity and prognosis, it may be advised to not keep the dog in a household with children.
Why are dogs aggressive with children?
There are a number of factors and reasons involved in aggression cases related towards children. Here are a few reasons aggression can be directed at children:
1. Under-socialization: This is likely the #1 reason why dogs aggress towards children. If a dog is not used to children, he may feel threatened by them or afraid of them. Dogs don’t come pre-wired to like kids or understand them, and although kids are small people, they don’t normally act like small adults. They are very different to the dog’s eye. It is very important that all dogs have access to children as young puppies and dogs by visiting with them in parks, different locations, or by having direct access with children that are familiar to you such as family, neighbors, or your own.
2. Inappropriate behavior: Children don’t always act appropriately towards dogs. It’s generally because they don’t know better rather than intentional, although that does occur too. Children should not be allowed to tease dogs or rough house with them. Heavy/hard petting, pushing, kicking, hair pulling, etc. should never be allowed. All kids should be taught early on what is correct interaction with a dog. They should also be instructed to never, ever interact with a new dog in an overly friendly manner (hugging, leaning on, putting the child’s face in the dog’s face, etc.) either. Teasing should never be allowed! As an important side note, it should be remembered that very young children (under school age) don’t fully understand the concept of the dog being a living, breathing, feeling animal. Instead, the dog is often viewed as more of like a toy such as their favorite stuffed animal. Great care needs to be taken, especially with small dogs, to avoid either the child or dog being injured.
3. Lack of training: It is common for the family dog to not listen to a child giving instructions to the dog. It is common for the dog to attempt to push the boundary lines with a child as the child is easy to dominate. It is easy to steal food or toys from the child or to maintain a prized sleeping spot. Parents need to properly train the puppy/dog in obedience with basic commands such as the routine sit, down, come, and stay, but also commands like leave it, give, and off. Once a dog thoroughly knows the commands, the child should be incorporated into the training so the dog can listen to the child as well (with the parent helping the dog to follow through on the commands). Problems can easily arise (such as resource guarding) if the dog doesn’t respect the child.
Prevention is Key!
Prevention is so much the key with aggression towards children. It revolves around both the child and the dog.
With the child, it is so important to instruct your child and those that visit with your dog on how to interact with your dog or with strange dogs. A well educated child is one that will avoid being bitten!
There are many programs available to help educate a child (and adults) on how to interact with dogs. One of the best programs available is through Doggone Safe which desperately wants to educate children everywhere so that they may avoid being bitten. They put on educational programs, but additionally, their website at www.doggonesafe.com provides articles, videos, photographs, and tips on how to educate your child. Take advantage of it!
With the dog, it is important to best prepare your dog for children. You may not have kids now, but perhaps in the future would like one. Even if there are no children in your immediate family, you will likely encounter them on walks and in places you take your dog. Please take the time to introduce your dog to children in a positive and safe manner as well as train your dog.
One last note, it is recommended that children are not left alone, unsupervised with a dog, even if it is the family dog. There are cases throughout the previous decades of tragic events that occurred when a child was left with a known dog. Some have resulted in death and others in severe bites and trauma. Young children are most likely to be bitten around the face or arms and hands. Be proactive and cautious!
Dog aggression and behavior expert with 30 years of experience.
