October 5, 2021

Keeping the Peace Between Dogs & Kids

Creating Harmony During the Holidays

Tis the Season

Most of us could agree that spending time with family during the holidays is one of the best parts of celebrating. But have you found that keeping the peace between dogs and kids is difficult? Maybe it’s the kids going crazy around the dogs. Or the dogs going crazy because of the kids. Either way, it’s a headache that we can help alleviate!

Whether you’re travelling for the holidays or staying home, we have all encountered families that have dogs who just aren’t familiar with kids. It may be your own pup, a relative’s dog, or someone you’ve never met before. Regardless, we have some tips on how to create harmony for everyone.

The More the Merrier…Right?

There is always expected chaos around the holidays, whether it be the start of the season with Halloween, to Christmas, and everything in between.

Homes with dogs that don’t have kiddos around go through a lot when they have family and friends visiting. Dog’s tend to get used to their home atmospheres, and when their life is a quiet, laid back normal, any slight commotion can feel like chaos. A family gathering you’ve been planning for weeks and weeks can feel like a sudden disruption with little to no warning.

Body Language | Signs of Submission

Watching a dog’s body language is much easier than it seems. Sensing a dog’s uncomfortability in any given situation can sometimes be difficult to handle if you don’t know the best way to go about it.

A tight mouth or tight lip, usually accompanied by pulled back ears and even their tail between their legs…a good indication your dog is uncomfortable. This is a sign that they’re afraid. The best thing to do is call them away from the situation.

Signs of Aggression

If your dog or a family member’s dog is snarling, growling, or lunging at anyone, especially the kids, they’re obviously not enjoying their family time as much as you are.

Even if your dog appears comfortable just because they’re not removing themselves from the room, doesn’t mean they’re having the time of their life. Subtle cues such as the “whale eye” or moving away from the child as they reach out to pet them, can help you pinpoint which situations they’re not enjoying. The whale eye is when a dog turns their eyes so much (in hopes to look away and evade the situation entirely) that all you can see is the whites of their eyes.

Recap

Dogs can start treating kids like other dogs in the blink of an eye. They get more mouthy, more rambunctious, and the kids just think it’s fun being chased around. This can go far beyond just the holiday season. Telling everyone to settle down if you feel like the playfulness has gone too far is an important factor in observing the interactions throughout the day.

It is ultimately your choice on setting the boundaries for these interactions to keep the peace between dogs and kids. If it’s multiple dogs playing together or the dogs and kids playing together, you’re allowed to determine when enough is enough. We hope this short lesson on body language helps you juggle the stress and enjoyment of the upcoming holiday season. God bless!