doggonesafe

DoggoneSafe.com is one of my favorite organizations. They have given me permission to reprint their supervision guidelines in my book and on my website.

Many parents wonder when a child is old enough to interact with or walk a dog without supervision. Unfortunately there is no “one size fits all” rule. You are going to have to evaluate both your child and your dog to decide when the time is right.

DoggoneSafe.com suggests

When the child can read the dog’s body language
When the child and dog have a mutually respectful relationship
When the dog will happily and willingly follow directions from the child
If the dog has never shown any sign of aggression toward people or other dogs and does not chase cars, cats, or other animals
When the child knows how to interpret situations and take appropriate action.

Most kids under 12 will not meet these criteria.

Colleen Pelar, CPDT, CDBC, author of Living with Kids and Dogs . . . Without Losing Your Mind, is America’s Kids and Canines Coach. Colleen has more than 15 years’ experience as the go-to person for parents trying to navigate kid-and-dog issues. Because every interaction between a child and a dog can be improved by a knowledgeable adult, Colleen is committed to educating parents, children, and dog owners on kid-and-dog relationships. For more information visit www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com.