How do I protect children from puppy biting?
Written by
Elin Eriksson
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Preventing puppy biting with children requires safety protocols that remove real-time, unpredictable interactions from the equation. Quick-moving hands and high-pitched voices can often trigger biting instincts, so kids and dogs should only meet if you're prepared with a solid plan to keep them safe.
Pre-Interaction Preparation
- Teach children to always present chew toys before approaching the puppy
- Practice calm movements and quiet voices during initial introductions
- Establish 'ask an adult' rule before any puppy contact
Supervision Systems
- Maintain arm's length distance during all child-puppy interactions
- Assign specific adults as puppy supervisors during playtimes
- Use baby monitors in puppy zones even during quiet times
Sometimes prevention from puppies comes in the form of physical barriers. Provide chew toys for your child to hold in their hands, allowing them to pet and reward the puppy. Use baby gates to create puppy-free zones in the house, like the playroom or a child's bedroom. These puppy-free zones provide a space for the child to relax in peace from the stress of constant supervision.
Teaching children appropriate skills to approach animals can help prevent bites and other accidents. Role-play gentle approaches to your stuffed animals first. Help them practice offering a toy rather than their hands. Teach a child to recognize puppy calm signals such as yawning, licking, or averting their eyes. Teaching children these skills helps them develop a lifelong, compassionate understanding of safe approaches to animals.
Never leave puppies unsupervised with children, not even for an instant. Most bites occur when parents become momentarily distracted, and that distraction tends to be adult-sized and human-shaped. Put safety gates up that the kids can't open. For families with toddlers, prepare to put some distance between yourselves until your pup has completed her bite inhibition training, which typically occurs around three months of age.
Read the full article: Puppy Bite Inhibition: Essential Training Guide
