Most of my dogs, I did not get as puppies and they weren't used to kids. I don't have any small children at home anymore. 

One of the first things I do is classically condition thedogs that kids = treats. They always get treats when the kids come over. I give them lots of treats.  I have even the littlest ones give them treats.  I have the babies throw Cheerios at them, an activity dogs and kids both enjoy. 

I teach the kids right off the bat how to train.  I have even the two year olds ask for a "Sit".  I show them how to use their little hands and coach them how to verbally ask for a sit.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  I signal my dogs for a sit while the kids are cueing too and then have the kids treat them. I praise the dogs and praise the kids, too...telling them that they are "good little dog trainers."  Pretty soon, I have dogs sitting on the kids' cue alone.

I think this does three things.  It helps the kids learn how to appropriately act around dogs and the dogs associate the kids with good things and that it pays off to listen to the kids, too.

We often have little training sessions when the kids are over, and that is fun for the kids and dogs and me.  The dogs learn to perform all their tricks on cue for the kids.  We get out hula hoops and skate boards and play hide 'n seek, too. I have dogs that love it when kids come over and grandkids and nieces and nephews who love to come over and play "dog trainer." 

When I take my dogs to the pet store or wherever, I am always on the lookout for kids.  I ask their Mom if the kids can give my dog a treat. I bring along low value non-gooey treats and have the kids ask the dog for a sit before treating. I also treat my dogs for any normal kids' antics that they find alarming, like high pitched squeals, running and noisy toys etc.

I also monitor my dogs and grandkids and nieces and nephews at all times.

If I feel my dogs have had enough, I put the treats up and  tell the kids that the dogs need a break or "a nap" and that they need to find something else to do for awhile. I might also crate a dog to give him a break or redirect the kids to another area of the house or yard or to a quieter activity.  It is my house and I make the rules. 

I had a Golden I got as an almost 2 year old who was a resource guarder. Things worked out great with her with work.

Right now, I have a Sheltie who is reactive to the kids next door running and playing; we are working on that. But he is great with the kids in my house or anywhere else. He is also great with a yard full of older kids in my yard playing volleyball while the little kids run and squeal.

© March 11, 2009. Therese McClain, Canal Funton, OH.  No further reproduction permitted without express written consent. Email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it