Children and dogs are often a lively combination. However, to keep everyone safe, there are certain rules to follow in both dog-proofing your kids and kid-proofing your dog!

The main thing to keep in mind when children and dogs interact is that dogs are first and foremost animals that respond from instinct rather than reason. No matter how well you or your child may know a dog, he will still bite if he feels threatened in any way or attack if he feels vulnerable. Dogs are unpredictable. But with a little care and a lot of supervision, you can ensure a safe and happy relationship between children and dogs.

Dog-proofing your children: Children should be taught that all living things have to be respected. There are some forms of behavior that should be corrected immediately, such as teasing animals or hurting them in any way. When meeting a dog for the first time, teach your child how to approach him correctly. Always ask for permission from the owner to approach the dog. If permission is given, your child should hold his hands out with the palms down to let the dog sniff first. All movements should be kept slow and gentle, without any extra hugging or grabbing the dog. Dogs view any sudden movements with suspicion and any close contact from strangers can be very frightening. Having kids running and yelling around the dog could also elicit his preying instinct and cause him to chase and attack. Never stare a dog directly in the eye or disturb him when he is sleeping or eating. If a dog is chained, teach your child to leave him alone as he may feel more threatened if he has no way to escape. Familiarize your children with the danger signals to look out for when a dog is about to attack. Teach them to recognize signals such as growling, tail between the legs, raised hackles, and ears laid back against his head. If a dog is showing any of these signs, your child should be instructed to walk away slowly, never run.

Child-proofing your dog: Buy your dog from a reputable breeder. Some dog breeds are more aggressive than others, and you may want to keep this in mind before choosing a pet for your home. Get your puppy acclimated to children from an early age. If you do not have kids at home, take him to the playground or park so that he is used to small kids running and screaming. It may be worthwhile to take your dog to a professional trainer and teach him how to behave around children. This will prevent him from barking excessively and jumping/running after children he meets. Keep in mind that dogs think of children differently from adults. Their high-pitched voices could cause dogs to be disturbed and attack. Also, they may think of small children as little animals or puppies and nip at them while playing. Never leave a dog alone with a child, as even the best-trained dog may bite if he feels attacked or threatened.

One way to keep track of your dog’s whereabouts at all times is with a dog tracking device such as the SpotLight or SpotLite GPS pet locator. SpotLight and SpotLite are dog tracking locators that provides you with 24/7 access to your pet’s location. If your dog has wandered off, you can find him in a matter of minutes, using directions provided by these the web-based tracking system. In this way, you can ensure that your dog is always under your supervision and any unwanted accident can be avoided.