If you are a new pet owner and you plan to bring a dog home for your family, read this blog. We offer top tips on how to train a dog to be good with children. You want to know they will be safe with the new pet. Follow on to learn more.

How to train a dog to be good with children

Do you have kids and want to add a furry friend to the family? Or maybe you’re expecting a baby and want to ensure your current dog is comfortable around kids? Dogs are a man’s best friend, and for a good reason. They are loyal, loving, and always happy to see us. However, if you have young children in your home, you must train your dog properly so they can be good with kids. This blog post will discuss the best ways to train your new dog to get along well with your little ones. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Start Training Your Dog Earlier

The best time to start training your dog to behave around kids is when they are still a puppy. As highlighted by the team behind Doodles Daily, most breeding companies train their puppies before they are sent home. Puppies will have shorter attention spans and are more receptive to new things, making  them the perfect candidates for training. If you wait until your dog is older, they may already have developed bad habits that will be harder to break.

Therefore, if you’re buying a dog, ensure to get it from a reputable source that can provide information on the dog’s training and socialization history. However, if you are rearing the puppies yourself, it is important to start socializing them early. Research the tactics you can use to socialize a puppy so you can start training your furry friend as early as possible.

Use Positive Reinforcement

When training your dog, it is essential to use positive reinforcement such as treats, verbal praise, and petting. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, which will help them associate good behavior with rewards. On the other hand, punishment will only make your dog scared and resentful.

If your dog does something you disapprove of, simply say “no” in a firm voice and redirect their attention to something else. For example, if they jump on the kids, you can say “no” and have them sit down. Once they listen to your command, praise them, so they know they did something good.

Respect Your Dog’s Feelings

While you may want your dog to be around kids all the time, it is essential to respect their feelings and give them a break when they need it. Dogs can get overwhelmed just like humans, and sometimes they need time. If you see your dog getting tense or anxious around kids, take them away from the situation and let them relax in their crate or another room.

It is also important to never force your dog to interact with kids if they don’t want to. This will only make them more stressed and could lead to aggressive behavior. If your dog isn’t ready to be around kids, that’s okay. Just take things slow and let them approach the situation on their terms.

Use Crate Training

Crate training is a great way to help your dog feel comfortable and safe around kids. It provides them with a designated space and gives them a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of family life when needed.

When crate training your dog, introduce the crate gradually, so they don’t get overwhelmed. Start by placing their food and water bowl in the crate and leaving the door open so they can come and go as they please. Then, once they are comfortable with that, you can start closing the door for short periods while you’re home. Finally, you can leave them in the crate for extended periods, such as when you’re out running errands or at work. The most important thing to remember when crate training is never to use the crate as a punishment.

Let The Dog Acclimatize To Sounds And Scents

If you have kids, there is always a lot of noise in your house. Kids can be pretty loud, from screaming and laughing to running and playing! Dogs can get scared when suddenly exposed to loud noises, so it’s essential to acclimate them to the sounds early on.

One way to do this is to play recordings of kids’ sounds at a low volume while your dog is eating or playing. Gradually increase the volume over time, so they get used to the noise. You can also have your kids talk to your dog in a soft, calming voice to get accustomed to their scent and presence.

Be Patient And Consistent

Training a new dog to be good with kids takes time, patience, and consistency. Don’t get discouraged if your dog makes a mistake or two along the way. Just keep working with them, and eventually, they will get the hang of it.

Remember to be patient and consistent when teaching your dog to be good with kids. Your furry friend will be a pro with a bit of time and effort. If you feel you cannot train them enough, hire a professional dog trainer to help you out.

Training your dog to be good with children in summary

Teaching your new dog to be good with children requires patience and consistency. By using positive reinforcement, crate training, and acclimatizing them to noises and scents, you can help your furry friend feel comfortable around children. Just take things slow and be patient; eventually, your dog will get the hang of it. If you need help, consider hiring a professional dog trainer.

Further reading for pet owners and housesitters

At Housesitmatch.com we like to share useful blogs and practical advice about housesitters, housesitting and pet sitting. We hope you find this small selection of our blogs on house sitters useful.

Dog training tips for good behaviour

Pet sitting services from Housesit Match

Pet and housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities

Preparing a home for a house or pet sitter