Dog Owners Family Safety Guide

There’s a story I can’t get out of my mind. Writer Denise Daniels is describing her house burning to the ground in a freak accident on Christmas Eve. Everyone in the family is standing outside on the lawn watching, speechless. Everyone except for their Newfoundland, Alfie, who’s rushing back into the house to make sure all the kids have gotten out safely.

Dogs are amazingly selfless, which makes them not only the perfect companions, but also the perfect teachers of selflessness for our kids. The data supports the anecdotes. Young children with dogs have higher EQs (empathy quotients), which researchers say are the true measures of how successful they’ll be in their studies, not their IQs.1

With man’s best friend, kids are also better team workers2 and less stressed. They have more resistance to allergens later in life3 and higher levels of serotonin.4 Owning a dog, in other words, will have all sorts of demonstrable benefits for your little ones’ mental and physical health.

But you can’t just plop a canine down in your living room and wait for the magic to happen. Building healthy social relationships with your new pet will take some real work and some good choices — especially when selecting the right breed for your household. Our dog owners family safety guide will show you:

How to introduce your dog to the family safely.
Tips for behaving around your new pet and reading canine cues.
Which dog breeds to avoid at all costs and which are great for kids.
If you should expect any home insurance premium hikes.

FYI: It’s a good idea to be around for a few days when you’re welcoming a new dog into your home, so plan the big day for a holiday or weekend, not a workday.

Dog Housebreaking Checklist for Families With Children

Are you about to transform your pooch-free home into a household brimming with pooch? Please use this guide as a general resource backed by science and experience, not as veterinary advice for specific situations. If you’re concerned about the safety of your children, talk to your vet or a certified dog trainer.

1. Introduce One Family Member at a Time

Dogs and humans have this in common: A lot of strange faces all at once makes us nervous, so welcome your new dog into the family one child at a time. One child at a time doesn’t mean a one-child stampede, however. Dogs prefer to handle the introductions themselves, so leading your new pup up to your children is safer than having your children run up to the dog. If a dog doesn’t approach willingly, that’s a cue they aren’t ready yet.

Dog Safety Tip: Like most humans, dogs don’t like being patted on the head. After your dog has walked over to your child for their first meet-and-sniff, teach your child to pet him on the side, not the head.

2. No Hug Fests

No puppy hugs? Seriously? No — and we’re doggone serious! Dogs hate hugs. There’s research to support it,5 as well as plenty of anecdotal evidence. Dogs are “cursorial” animals, meaning that, like Forrest Gump, they like to run. When a dog feels threatened, their gut instinct isn’t to bite but to make like the wind. Putting your canine into the equivalent of a doggy full nelson restricts their primal flight instinct and can make them very nervous.

Did You Know? Contrary to the canine experience, when human mamas give their kids hugs, both parent and child get an instant boost of oxytocin, aka the love hormone.

3. Dogs Need “Me” Space

Space is a tricky concept with dogs. Too much space all at once may make them anxious, especially if they’ve just come from a shelter where they were living in a cage. But too little room is also not good. As dog trainer Amy Weeks puts it,6 close your eyes and picture the last time you saw a dog drag a toy or meal to a safe place to enjoy. Space means security. If you’ve outfitted your home with a puppy playpen, as the Humane Society recommends, make sure your kids understand that this space is off limits to everyone but Rex.

FYI: Long, narrow hallways leading to doors can make dogs feel trapped and increase the risk of aggressive behavior with visitors or skirmishes with other dogs.

4. Don’t Bother Daisy When She’s Eating or Sleeping

Bipeds and quadrupeds are pretty much in alignment here: Don’t mess with us when we’re noshing or catching Z’s. The only difference is that canines, as the name suggests, have bigger teeth and are descended from wild wolves, which is to say that your adorable, four-legged sloppy kisser may transform instantly into a 40,000-year-old she-wolf if your children disturb her while she’s asleep or has her muzzle deep into her chow. Make sure you teach this rule ASAP.

Did You Know? Paleontologists believe a 32,000-year-old dog skull discovered at a burial site in Předmostí, Czech Republic, may belong to the world’s first domesticated dog. How do they know? They found a giant mammoth bone “play toy” in the dog’s mouth.7

5. Teach Your Kids Basic Dog Body Language

Dogs may not use words, but they do communicate eloquently with language — body language. Most adults are fluent in basic dog language, but you should give your little ones a crash course. Ears flattened against the head and a rigid tail means your new pet is feeling threatened. Stomach pressed against the floor and butt wagging from side to side means Chopper wants to play.

Other signs to look out for: squinty, relaxed eyes are good. A hard, cold stare is bad. Teeth bared into a rictus is not good. Teeth visible and tongue hanging out is OK. You get the point. If you’re a little rusty, the American Kennel Club has a nice guide to canine body language.8

Dog Safety Tip: If you see your dog yawning with its ears slicked back while your kids are laying on the love, it’s actually a sign she’s uncomfortable and trying her best not to freak out.

Dog Breeds That Families With Young Children Should Avoid

Any conversation about dangerous dogs can get lovers of those breeds up in arms. Keep in mind that what makes a breed bad for kids isn’t its innate viciousness. These dogs are usually just bigger, sometimes stubborn, and extremely protective of the families they join. That can make them loyal companions, but difficult to control and a liability for house visitors and younger children who don’t know better.

Akitas and huskies are natural protectors of your kids, but they’re wolfish and stubborn so they may get aggressive around their friends.
Bullmastiffs are huge and rambunctious sweethearts that can clear small children off the kitchen floor like bowling pins.
Chow chows are squishy but temperamental and not easily trained.
Rottweilers are amazingly loyal, but they’re extremely powerful and need special training.
Pit bulls have been raised for aggressiveness for over 200 years. They’re very social and affectionate, but you don’t want them flying off the handle around your little ones.
Dalmatians are jumpy and genetically disposed to deafness.

Runner-up: Chihuahuas, the quintessential lap dogs, are small and scrappy in appearance but ferocious warriors in their minds, making them questionable pets for families with small children. If your tykes don’t read the cues, they could end up getting barked at or bitten.

Dog Breeds That Work Great With Little Kids

Looking for canines that work well with kids? Stick with these. They’re all loving, relaxed, smart, and easily trained.

Labradors are clever, gentle dogs that will even let your kids hug them.
Golden retrievers are very similar to Labradors, but with a little more manic energy that will need an outlet.
Boxers are friendly and energetic with a goofy streak that kids love.
Beagles enjoy being around kids so much they tend to bay loud enough to wake up infants.
Boston terriers are pint-size playmates without the aggression of Chihuahuas.
Pugs love playing, and do well in city apartments because of their small size.

FYI: Dogs bites are common, but they aren’t the only household hazards for children. Here are the top 11 hidden dangers for kids in your home.

Dogs and Home Insurance Premiums

Some home insurance companies will raise your rate if you own a dog, but they may not penalize you for owning a breed considered dangerous. State Farm plans, for example, explicitly state that they won’t ask you what breed you own. On the other hand, expect a premium hike if your dog bites — no matter the breed.

Your liability insurance will usually cover you for any injuries or damage your dog inflicts on others — but not for accidents among family members.

There are cases where home insurers may outright refuse to cover your dog. In that case, you may want to invest in canine liability insurance, which starts at around $10 per month. For owners of dogs with medical needs, pet insurance is another option to look into. In my experience, Lemonade insurance offers one of the cheapest, most comprehensive pet policies.

Did You Know? Of the estimated 70 million U.S. households that own dogs, 5 million have reported dog attacks. Half of those 5 million attacks have been on children 2 years old and younger.9

Final Thoughts

If there are 70 million households in the U.S. with dogs, we’d be better off with 70 million more. Dogs change us for the better — especially our kids — but even the tamest, cleverest, most adorable canine is still a canine. They have teeth they use to defend themselves and their loved ones if they feel threatened. Unfortunately, by virtue of their size and cluelessness, children under 2 are their usual victims.

That isn’t a reason not to bring a dog home. Spend some time learning dog behavior basics (and teaching basic safety rules to your kids) and pick a dog that’s right for your children’s ages, and the latest addition to the household is sure to bring your family years of pure joy and added safety.

Citations

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