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Article To Pat Or Not To Pat? How To Keep Interactions Between Kids And Dogs Safe

Petra Edwards, University of Adelaide and Susan Hazel, University of Adelaide
May 13, 2022

41 Comments

With dog attacks in the news over recent weeks, some parents may be wondering about how to keep interactions between kids and dogs safe – and how to keep everyone happy.

A review of hospitalisations due to dog bites in Australia found children under nine years presented most often. Dog attacks involving children often involve the family dog or a dog known to the child.

While we need more research around the events leading to these attacks, it’s likely a combination of a series of unfortunate events, rather than an inherently “bad” dog. Any dog can bite.

Every dog and every child interaction is different, but here are general tips for good interactions and outcomes.

Teach children how to interact with dogs safely

Kids patting dogs

You wouldn’t run up and hug a stranger in the street – let’s not do it to dogs. It is vital children learn how to approach dogs safely.

Children should always stop a few metres from a dog they want to pat and ask the responsible person for permission, before also asking the dog.

You can ask dogs if they want a pat by remembering “pat, pet, pause”.

1. Pat. Pat your leg to encourage a dog over.

2. Pet. If the dog comes to say “hi!”, give them a gentle pat on the shoulder or side. Never pat a dog on the head (dogs hate it!). Stand side-on so the dog can always move away.

3. Pause. Stop after three pats (or three seconds), and wait. If the dog reconnects (leans in or bumps the hand) then pat again for another three seconds. If the dog remains still, leans away or moves away, they don’t want to be patted (at that moment – you can try again later).

Children (and adults) should pat, pet, pause in every interaction with a dog – even the family dog.

Interactions should be short, supervised and managed carefully

Kids patting dogs

Not all dogs are used to kids. Some dogs may be very social and friendly, but not know how to interact with children safely.

Keep social, friendly dogs on-lead or use a play pen (or fence) to keep both dogs and children safe. Use lots of tasty treats to reinforce the dog for keeping four paws on the floor.

Things can escalate quickly if children get excited or if a dog starts zooming around. Keeping interactions short (and supervised) reduces the chance of somebody being hurt.

Be very careful with very large or heavy breeds and young children who can get knocked over easily.

Learn to speak dog

Kids patting dogs

Dogs communicate well, if we learn to listen. Dogs show signs of fear by moving away, cowering or tucking their tail between their legs. If they flick their ears back, turn their head away or close their mouths it means they’re not comfortable.

If we miss these signs, a dog might growl or even bite.

A wagging tail doesn’t always mean a dog is happy – “good” wags are mid-height, slow(ish), with a relaxed body. Dogs also wag high when tense, or very low when very nervous (both signs to say “hi!” from a distance).

Research shows young children find it difficult to identify dog body language – signs of fear or stress – although older children can increase this knowledge with education. It’s up to adults to supervise, watch both dog and child closely, and stop the interaction if the dog or child isn’t coping.

It’s important never to punish a dog for growling. Growling is serious (especially around children) and needs to be addressed quickly with careful management and training. However, it is clear communication. Punishing a growl stops the growl, but not the underlying discomfort (or fear) behind it. This means a dog might not give any warning before biting.

Ignoring signs of stress or fear, or finding it funny, puts everybody at risk. Stop the interaction immediately and contact a qualified, experienced dog trainer.

Respect their space

Kids patting dogs

Dogs in their bed, or eating, need their own space. These are dogs’ safe zones – kids should not approach.

Kids also need a “safe” space or time away from the dogs (for example, in their bedroom).

Dogs in public spaces aren’t public property

Kids patting dogs

Just because a dog is in public doesn’t mean it’s comfortable with strangers approaching. Even if a dog is walking with children, they may not want to meet new children.

Always ask the owner of the dog. If the dog is tied up in front of a shop (or you can’t see their parent), say hello another day.

Sometimes pet parents feel pressure to ensure their dog says “hi!” to children, but always listen to the dog, and feel empowered to say no to pats from children. It won’t hurt to miss this one interaction, and offers a learning opportunity for kids to respect the space of animals.The Conversation

Petra Edwards, PhD researcher, University of Adelaide and Susan Hazel, Senior Lecturer, School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Comments

  • It can be hard for children that are not used to dogs to undestand and it can also be hard for dogs not used to children how to behave either.

    Reply

  • Lots of important information here.
    My kids have all had dogs come into their kinder, where they’re shown how to approach dogs, what to look for and how to treat them etc. They learnt a lot from that.

    Reply

  • It’s great to see an article like this. Education on safety with dogs is so important.

    Reply

  • Thank you very much for so useful information.

    Reply

  • Thanks so much for such an enlightening post – best one I have read so far on interactions between dogs and children

    Reply

  • Our 10 month old loves our 4 year old Toy Cavoodle however the love is definitely not mutual! She has tried pulling her hair as she does not understand patting as yet so we have to supervise them both all the time. I do feel that when she’s older they will be great friends ????

    Reply

  • We’ve always taught our kids to ask the owner first. And always aware of when there is a dog without an owner around.

    Our dog play growls a lot so a growl does not always mean a warning sign.

    Reply

  • These are fantastic tips!

    Reply

  • Great tips

    Reply

  • Fantastic tips! Whilst you shouldnt ever fully trust any animal its so important to teach kids respect!

    Reply

  • I have always stressed that you never ever pat a dog without asking the owner first.

    • Totally agree with you. Asking is the first rule

    Reply

  • This is very good advice. My youngest was walking along with me and my husband when a dog jumped the fence of a property as we were passing. He came straight at us growling and barking. My husband picked our son up and I walked backwards while facing the dog. As soon as we were past the property the dog jumped back into it’s yard. It could have been a dangerous situation because I’m sure if we had tried to run or yelled at the dog it would have resulted in one of us being bitten.

    • Omg that would’ve been so scary. Glad you and your family are ok :)

    Reply

  • All good tips. Teach children also that all dogs bite under the right circumstances. I’m sick of hearing dogs biting people and the owners saying my dog doesn’t bite. Even the calmest dogs can bite if put in a situation they’re not comfortable with.

    • I agree. We don’t know how dogs react to all situations

    Reply

  • My son is a huge animal lover especially dogs and it’s hard for him to understand that not every dog/animal is nice like our own.

    • How old is he? My almost 4 year old doesn’t understand either so I got a book to explain her how it works

    Reply

  • We always ask but only if the dog is coming at us looking for attention. If they are not looking interested or keen for attention we leave them be.

    • Same here. I think the dog could feel invaded if they don’t ask for the attention. Then that’s when they react.

    Reply

  • I tried to say to my children just because our dog loves you don’t think all the dogs are friendly and never put your face near a strange dog as it could bite you. I’ve always had pets and not all parents are the same and the kids get scared around them and just because ours love them they might not like other kids that come in our home. Also never hurt our pets or be cruel to them.

    Reply

  • It’s so important to make sure children understand this and know the right steps to take as dogs can be very unpredictable. Good article

    Reply

  • I’ve told my children from the get go. You do not approach or touch a dog unless you have spoken to the owner first! If there’s no owner around you stay away from the dog. Doesn’t matter if you know the dog as moods change.
    I have scars on my arm from a dog bite, so it didn’t take much to convince them. They do love dogs, so I often still remind them

    Reply

  • I would tell my kids to always ask the owner if it ok to pat the dog and to not get too close or be too excited around the dog and if they say yes, still approach slowly.

    Reply

  • I only allow my children to pat dogs if the owners give them permission and the owners make it clear that their dogs are safe around children. Also I teach my kids how to pat dogs so they don’t scare the dogs.

    Reply
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