Foster Dogs and Kids

The combination of kids and dogs has a heart warming “awww” factor. And it’s true; children and dogs can be great friends. However, too often interactions are unsupervised, children aren’t taught to respect the dog’s right to space and comfort, and dogs are put in an impossible situation of holding their temper when pushed beyond their limits. 77% of all dog bites are to children the dog knows, and this rarely ends well for the dog. As fosters, it’s your responsibility to prevent this from happening.

Dog is never alone with a child unsupervised. Ever.

Supervision means hands-on, not watching out of the corner of your eye from across the room.
Your primary concern is your foster dog; advocate for his needs first and foremost.

Always use consent testing for petting and physical interaction. Respect the dog when he says no.

Teach children how to ask for permission to pet (both from the human and the dog), and teach not to crowd, reach for, grab or chase the dog.
Tolerance is not enough. Unless the dog is offering joyful consent, this interaction isn’t good for him.
Video: Petting Consent Tests movie

Give the dog space.

Give the dog plenty of space and an easy escape route. Better to interact in an open area of the house than a tight space, such as between couch and table, etc.
- Grumble & Growl Zones
If your foster dog shows any discomfort around children of any age, make sure he has a safe place to be where he cannot be disturbed during the child’s visit.
Limit time with kids, even if the dog seems to be completely fine. Give him a break before he needs to ask for one.

Teach kids how to interact appropriately with dogs.

Never allow children to ride, pull, poke, play dress up or otherwise disrespect the dog. What looks cute to humans doesn’t feel cute to Fido.
Never take a toy or food from a dog, even if the dog took it away from them.
Leave the dog alone when he’s eating or has toys or treats.
Video: [DOGS YOU KNOW]: Be SAFE – Dog Safety Video for Kids | Good Dog In A Box (2019)

Pay attention to the dog’s body language. Watch for subtle signs of fear or discomfort.

An absence of an obvious reaction does not mean the dog is “fine”.
Video: My dog still doesn’t trust me! (Dogkind)

When in doubt, keep them apart. If you have any reservations about your foster dog or the children visiting your home, take extra precautions. “Better safe than sorry” cannot be overstated.

Additional Resources

How To Set A Good Example (Rescued By Training)

Teaching Kids to Interact With Dogs (Rescued By Training)

Before You Share That “Cute” Dog and Baby Picture… (Eileen and Dogs)

Books for young children:

Tails Are Not For Pulling by Elizabeth Verdick
Don’t Lick The Dog by Wendy Wahman