How to Teach Autistic Children to Behave Around Dogs

Having a pet in the family provides an autistic child safety, companionship and a way to decrease anxiety. A study released by the MIRA Foundation, a non-profit organization that teams service dogs with individuals who have developmental or physical disabilities, found that service dogs for children with autism help reduce stress levels. But as with other children, kids with autism need to know how to behave around dogs to maintain safety and proper companionship.

Instructions

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      Direct your child not to run away from a dog making loud noises or screaming as these actions can trigger aggression in some dogs, cautions the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This may be a problem at first as many kids with autism are afraid of dogs because of the animal's unpredictable behavior or loud barking that may hurt their ears.

    • 2

      Teach your child to treat dogs with kindness and respect. Do not allow her to handle a dog roughly by pulling on his tail or poking at him.

    • 3

      Teach your child to move slowly and speak softly whenever he is around a dog. It̵7;s important that he not startle the dog. Loud noises and sudden movements often frighten dogs just like they do children with autism. Your child is at risk of being bitten if he doesn̵7;t understand that behaviors like hand flapping, loud talking and jumping which are normal for him could frighten a dog. Dogs behave instinctively unless trained otherwise, points out Doggie Manners, a dog training and behavior service.

    • 4

      Instruct your child to say the dog̵7;s name before approaching him from the front or side. Warn her not to approach a dog she doesn̵7;t know.

    • 5

      Demonstrate how to gently pet a dog with the palm of a hand on the belly, under the chin or from the neck down the back or side. Most dogs don̵7;t like pats on the top of the head. Give your child a stuffed toy to practice on. Tell him never to hug a dog around the neck. Although he may see it as a loving gesture, a dog may feel threatened by such a gesture.

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      Warn your child that she must not disturb a dog that is eating, chewing on a bone, playing with a toy or sleeping. Explain that she must not run or jump near a dog, scream, chase a dog or put her face near a dog̵7;s face. Intervene immediately if your child demonstrates any of these behaviors around a dog.

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      Give your child some responsibility for caring for a family pet. Allow him to give the dog food and fresh water. Helping to care for a dog provides more routine to your child̵7;s day. The predictability of routine helps relieve an autistic child̵7;s anxiety and makes them feel like they have some control over their environment.

    • 8

      Praise your child each time she behaves appropriately around a dog. By praising the deed rather than the child, you are motivating her to repeat the behavior.

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