Tips to Ensure Safe Play Between Humans and Dogs

Brought to you by the AKC GoodDog! Helpline – the AKC’s 7-day-a-week training support service
By Hilarie Erb, AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer

Just like human children, puppies love to play. But since they don’t have opposable thumbs, they use their mouths for most games. Virtually all puppies play this way. It’s normal and it not a sign that your pup will become an aggressive dog. Your puppy does not mean to hurt you when he nips, but those baby teeth are sharp. But the good news is that there are ways you can play with your new pup that encourage the behavior you want while giving him a healthy outlet for his energy.

Always use toys when playing with puppies, never your bare hands. This way you will have something big enough to guide into the puppy’s mouth when he wants to bite and tug. Be careful when playing with young pups; don’t tug hard enough to hurt them. He may be pretending to be fierce, but he’s still a baby. When playing fetch, if your pup doesn’t like to give a toy back after retrieving it, tempt him with a different toy or treat to encourage her to drop it.

“Always use toys when playing with puppies, never your bare hands.”

Summer is right around the corner, and the thought of children and dogs frolicking in the yard together is delightful. But young children should never be alone with any dog or puppy. If the children run and shriek (in fear or play), the puppy will get even more excited and could jump and nip even more. It’s how they play with other puppies. When a child pulls their hand or a toy away from the puppy, he might lunge for it, nipping the child’s hand, to get what he wants.

When visitors, especially children who are not used to dogs, come over, put your puppy or playful dog in his crate with a treat. Expecting him to ignore your child’s running, screaming friends is not fair. These behaviors beg “Chase me!” Children also should never be allowed to bother the dog while he’s eating or sleeping or to take away his toys or treats. Growling is a warning: it means “please leave me alone,” and that’s just what a child should do when he or she hears it.

Preventing situations that might encourage biting is the best way to keep kids and dogs safe. You should know how to recognize dog body language that tells you a dog is seriously unhappy. Here’s an article that tells what to look for: http://www.akc.org/content/dog-training/articles/reactivity-vs-aggression/

If you think your dog has serious aggressive behavior that these management tips don’t help you with, consult an animal behaviorist. To find one, visit https://iaabc.org/.

For more tips and advice on training your dog, join the AKC GoodDog! Helpline, a seven-day-a-week telephone support service staffed by experienced dog trainers: www.akcgooddoghelpline.org.