Living together with dogs and children can be wonderful — or a source of avoidable accidents. Thoughtful socialisation and learning clear rules, on both sides, lay the foundations for a safe and lasting relationship.

Why this socialisation is particular

Children represent particular stimuli for a puppy: sudden, unpredictable movements, high-pitched voices, clumsy gestures, a tendency to invade personal space. A puppy poorly prepared for these specifics during its socialisation period (covered in our article on the basics of dog training) can develop lasting apprehension towards children.

Training that goes both ways

Safety relies as much on training the dog as on training the child. No dog, however gentle, should be exposed to unsuitable interactions without a framework.

What the child must learn

  • Never disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, or retreating to its own space
  • Not to squeeze, pull ears or tail, or climb on the dog
  • Approach calmly, without shouting or sudden movements
  • Recognise when the dog wants to be left alone

What the dog must learn

  • To tolerate gentle but sometimes clumsy handling, through the desensitisation covered in our article on getting used to brushing
  • To have a retreat space where it will never be disturbed
  • To associate the presence of children with positive experiences

Body language: the key to prevention

As detailed in our article on reading body language, most incidents between dogs and children are preceded by ignored calming signals: lip licking, turning the head away, yawning, trying to move away. Learning to recognise these signals — and stepping in before escalation — is the best form of prevention.

Supervision: non-negotiable

No interaction between a young child and a dog should take place without active adult supervision. This rule does not reflect distrust of the dog, but a realistic recognition that both the dog and the child can behave unpredictably.

The retreat space: essential

A dog with a place to retreat to (a crate, a bed in a quiet room, as covered in our article on transport crates) manages the stress of life with children far better. This refuge must be strictly respected by the whole family — a basic principle of harmonious cohabitation.

An investment for the dog's entire life

Successful socialisation with children during the puppy's sensitive period builds a dog that is at ease in family life — avoiding the stress, reactivity or aggression situations detailed in our dedicated article, which often stem from insufficient or poorly conducted early socialisation.

Also available in English: the ideal first aid kit for the active dog, the Bernedoodle: the crossbreed winning over families and the basics of dog training: recall and socialization. More translations are added over time.