Dogs and children can build wonderful relationships. Adults play an important role in helping both feel safe and comfortable. That means supervising their time together, teaching children to respect a dog’s space, and noticing when a dog needs a break.

This guide covers what to teach your dog, what to teach your children, and the habits that help everyone feel comfortable together.

The One Non-Negotiable Rule for Kids and Dogs Safety

Never leave a baby or young child alone with a dog, including the family dog. An adult should stay close enough to pay attention and step in when either needs a break. If you need to leave the room or cannot watch them, separate them first.

Familiarity and training do not take the place of supervision. A dog may feel uncomfortable when startled, crowded, or disturbed while resting or eating. Children are still learning how to recognize those signals.

HSC TIP: According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and children account for at least half of those injuries. The CDC notes that most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities while interacting with familiar dogs. Supervision is not just a precaution. It is the foundation that everything else builds on.

Teaching Your Dog to Be Comfortable Around Children

Every dog is an individual. Some enjoy being around children. Others prefer more space, especially around loud sounds or quick movements. Pay attention to your dog’s response and let them choose whether to participate.

Start with the Basics Before Involving Children

Practice reward-based skills such as coming when called, settling in a comfortable spot, and moving away with you. These give adults ways to guide an interaction and create space when needed. Keep practice brief and reward your dog for the behavior you want to see.

Give Your Dog a Place to Rest

Set up a quiet area where your dog can rest without children following. A gate or separate room can help when the household is busy. Never force your dog to greet, play with, or stay near a child.

Involve Children in Training Once the Dog Is Comfortable

Children can help with simple, reward-based training when an adult guides the activity and the dog is comfortable. For example, an adult can help a child ask for a sit and offer a treat. The adult remains responsible for managing the interaction.

Get Help from HSC: The Humane Society of Charlotte offers several training options specifically designed to build skills between pets and their people. They are not specifically designed as child-and-dog safety classes. Check current class descriptions before signing up:

Puppy Power Playgroup structured, supervised play for puppies with controlled exposure to people and new environments

Six-Week Group Classes foundational obedience with positive reinforcement

Dog Basics for Everyone free starting point for families new to dog training

All use positive reinforcement methods and give dogs structured practice with new situations and people.

HSC TIP: Families without children at home should actively invite children to visit and interact with the dog during the first few months. The goal is for the dog to meet and become comfortable with the kinds of children they are likely to encounter as an adult - different ages, energy levels, and styles of interaction.

Building a Positive Association from the Start

A new baby brings unfamiliar sounds and changes to your dog’s routine. Plan for those changes before the baby arrives, and give your dog time to adjust.

Reward Calm Behavior Around Baby Routines

Offer a reward when your dog stays relaxed while hearing baby sounds or seeing you care for the baby from a comfortable distance. Your dog should be able to move away. A gate can help you manage space safely.

Never Force Closeness Between Dog and Child

Let your dog choose whether to approach. There is no need to bring your dog closer for a greeting or photo. If your dog turns away or leaves, give them that space.

Keep Your Dog’s Routine Predictable

Walks, meals, rest, and one-on-one time may look different with a new baby at home. Keep familiar parts of the routine where you can. For more ideas, see HSC’s

Teaching Children How to Act Around Dogs

Children need adults to show them what safe interactions look like and remind them of the rules as they grow. Practice together and guide each interaction in the moment.

Before Getting a Dog, Help Children Learn About Dogs

Talk about how dogs communicate and why they may need space. When your family meets a dog, ask the dog’s person first, follow their guidance, and let the dog choose whether to approach.

Teach Children to Ask First, Always

Children should ask an adult before approaching any dog, including their own. Before interacting with an unfamiliar dog, ask the dog’s person, too. Teach children to:

Ask an adult before approaching a dog, including your own dog.

Ask the dog's person before interacting with an unfamiliar dog.

Approach calmly and give the dog a choice to come closer.

Use gentle hands and avoid hugs, pulling, or climbing on the dog

Leave dogs alone when they are eating, sleeping, caring for puppies, or enjoying a toy or chew.

Let a dog walk away without following

Let Children Help with Training, with You Beside Them

A child can help offer a treat for a simple behavior when the dog is comfortable and an adult leads. This can be an enjoyable way to learn together. It does not make the child responsible for managing the dog or change the need for supervision.

Body Language Everyone Should Know

A wagging tail does not always mean a dog wants attention. Look at the dog’s whole body. Signs that a dog may need space include:

Turning their head or body away

Moving away or trying to leave

Yawning when not tired (stress indicator)

Licking their lips with no food around

A tucked tail or low, hunched posture

Stiff, still body with a fixed stare

Showing teeth or growling

When a Dog Shows Any of These Signs, Children Should:

1. Stop interacting.

2. Give the dog space.

3. Tell an adult right away.

An adult can calmly separate the child and dog and consider what made the dog uncomfortable. Do not punish a dog for growling. A growl communicates discomfort and gives you a chance to change the situation. If you are concerned about your dog’s behavior, seek qualified help.

For a deeper look at reading dog signals, see Understanding Dog Body Language.

The Rules That Keep Every Interaction Safe

Supervision works best when adults actively watch and respond. Step in when play becomes too energetic, when a child wants to hug or follow the dog, or when the dog shows signs of discomfort. Give both the child and the dog a break before either becomes overwhelmed.

Keep your dog's resting space available during busy times, such as family gatherings. Remind visiting children of the same rules you use at home. A little planning helps everyone know what to expect.

Children Should Never:

Disturb a dog who is eating, sleeping, caring for puppies, or enjoying a toy or chew

Hug, climb on, chase, pull, or startle a dog

Follow a dog into their resting space

Approach an unfamiliar dog without permission from an adult and the dog’s person

Adults Should Always:

Actively supervise interactions between children and dogs

Step in when play becomes too energetic or the dog shows discomfort

Teach children to ask before approaching any dog (even their own, every time)

Know their dog's stress signals and act on them early

Maintain predictable routines for the dog, especially during family changes

Give the dog a safe retreat space where children cannot follow

Separate the child and dog whenever active supervision is not possible

When to Get Professional Help

If your dog seems fearful or uncomfortable around children, talk with your veterinarian. Pain or illness can affect behavior. Your veterinarian can also help you decide whether to work with a qualified, reward-based trainer or veterinary behaviorist. If your dog has growled, snapped, or bitten, keep children and the dog separated while you seek guidance.

Start with your veterinarian to rule out a medical cause (pain, illness, or neurological issues can trigger behavior changes). If the issue is behavioral, ask for a referral to:

A veterinary behaviorist (DACVB-certified)

A Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)

A Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC, through IAABC)

Avoid trainers who use punishment, physical corrections, or dominance-based methods. These approaches can suppress warning signals without addressing what is causing them, which increases risk rather than reducing it.

Get Support from HSC: The Humane Society of Charlotte offers dog training classes in Charlotte and free pet owner support through the Pet Help Center. For in-home behavior issues involving children and dogs specifically, our Pet Help Center team can help point you toward the right kind of qualified support.

Kids and Dogs: Safety Rules Every Family Should Know