Can a Toddler & a Dog Live in Harmony?

Just going by movies and television, dogs and kids make the perfect match. Timmy had Lassie and Peter Pan lured the Darling children away from their beloved nanny -- who just happened to be a dog. The reality is far different. According to a 2006 study done at the Karl Franzens University in Austria found that infants and toddlers were the most likely victims of dog bites. One-year-old toddlers were bitten most often. But toddlers and dogs can live together safely if parents take a few vital steps.

  1. Why Dogs Bite Toddlers

    • Dogs think like dogs and toddlers think like toddlers. To a dog, a toddler can be very confusing. Toddlers don̵7;t smell like adults or older toilet-trained children, and they tend to be erratic and impulsive in play. The Austrian researchers suggest that dogs have pack mentality. When a toddler begins wandering around, the dog may feel it has to put the child in a subordinate position. Dogs show dominance through growling and biting. While another dog would recognize the warning signs of a growl, a toddler may not. To a toddler, a dog is just a big furry toy to be explored and played with.

    How to Train the Dog

    • The ASPCA encourages families to start training the dog long before the child is mobile. Start by poking and prodding the dog. After several pokes, give the dog a treat. It will learn to associate the discomfort with something nice and learn to tolerate the poking. Start gently and add more strength to the prodding as the dog becomes more comfortable with the process. Add other irritating behaviors such as fur, tail and ear pulling, pinches and even gentle hitting. The goal is not to hurt the dog, but to mimic the impulsive behavior of a toddler. Never beat or hurt the dog. Work with the dog every day. Teach the dog to accept crawling behavior by crawling towards the animal on your hands and knees. At first, it may become confused, or jump on you. Discourage this behavior and offer a treat when the dog lies quietly as you crawl towards it. Don̵7;t use crawling as a form of play. In the same gradual way, work with your dog so he stays calm and accepting when anyone takes a toy or food away.

    Training the Toddler

    • The best way to protect both the toddler and the dog is to never allow the two to be alone together. Always supervise toddler time with the dog. When introducing the child to the dog, take her hand and gently pet the dog. Repeat the word "gentle" to teach your child to be gentle around the animal. Whenever she reaches for the dog, repeat the word "gentle" to stop any impulsive grabbing or poking. When going out, make sure that you hire a sitter that is comfortable with both toddlers and pets.

    Growing Up With Dogs

    • As the child gains both self and motor control, encourage him to help with the dog̵7;s care. Ask your child to brush the dog with a soft brush while you hold the dog̵7;s collar. Show the child how to hold a treat for the animal. Allow him to pour dog food into the dog̵7;s bowl. To add to this knowledge, read books about dogs that show children and adults caring for the animals in positive ways. All of these activities teach the child to be nurturing toward the animal and teach the animal that the child isn̵7;t another dog.

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