-         Always be gentle. Kids like to play rough sometimes, but that kind of play is not acceptable for dogs. Show your children how to pet the dog nicely. Demonstrate by gentling rubbing his fur. Avoid the dog’s face and ears at the beginning. After the kids and the dog have a gentle interaction, let them feed him a dog bone or some dog biscuits. Remember: The dog’s ears and tail are not handles; don’t let the kids pull on them.

-         Don’t approach a dog suddenly or surprise him. If your kids startle the dog, his first instinct is to be defensive. Instead, instruct your children to approach the dog slowly. Have them hold their hands out and let the dog sniff. Don’t let the children pet or touch the dog until he’s done sniffing. If you approach the dog correctly, he’ll be anxious for attention pretty quickly. Have your kids give him a few dog biscuits so he will become comfortable with the situation.

-         Even if you are afraid of dogs, try not to teach your children to be afraid. Dogs sense fear and will respond accordingly. If your kids learn to respect a dog and his boundaries, rather than run away, interactions can be calm and fun. Surely your children would prefer to feed your pet a dog bone than to panic at the sight of a canine.

-         If you meet a strange dog and his owner is not around, don’t panic. Take your cue from his demeanor. If his stance is merely curious (wagging tail and perked ears), tell him coolly and firmly to go home. He may or may not leave, but you can walk away calmly. You may be tempted, but don’t give him any treats or a dog bone. If his stance seems aggressive (tense, flattened ears, and erect tail), you’ll want to avoid sudden movement. Walk away very slowly. Should he advance or lunge, drop to the ground, protect your neck and face, and yell for help. Be sure your children understand this, as it is very important to their safety. If your children end up in this sort of situation, do whatever is necessary to get them away from the dog.

-         Make sure your children don’t flee from a dog, even in play. Your children might think it’s fun to tease the dog with dog biscuits and then run away, but this could potentially trigger a hunter-and-prey response. Keep things safe by teaching the kids to play nicely and to never tease your pet. Once your dog is a long-established member of the family, you can probably safely run and play outdoors. Try a friendly game of fetch with a dog bone. Just be on the lookout for predatory behavior.

-         Don’t let your children bother the dog while he’s eating. Whether it’s his daily meal or a snack of dog biscuits, your dog may be protective of his food. To avoid snapping or nipping, don’t let your children approach the dog at his food bowl or try to take away his dog bone.

-         Most importantly, don’t leave your children unattended with the dog. Until your children have proven their maturity and responsibility with regards to the family pet, you should always supervise them when they are together. Even the sweetest dog can turn in an instant if your children aren’t handling him properly.

With these safety tips, you can ensure a happy and loving relationship between your children and the family dog. Your children will benefit from the responsibility and compassion they will learn, and your dog will benefit from the affection and play time. Always follow your gut instinct, and use common sense when teaching your children how to interact with a dog.