Puppy Parent Survival Guide
Day 6: Children & Puppies — Safety Through Structure
Positive relationships between children and puppies are built, not assumed.
From a veterinary behavior perspective, both puppies and young children are still developing impulse control, emotional regulation, and communication skills. This makes structure and supervision essential, not optional.
What science tells us
Research in veterinary behavior and pediatric safety consistently shows that:
most puppy-related bites to children are preventable
incidents occur during moments of overstimulation, fatigue, or lack of supervision
puppies often bite as a stress response, not aggression
Neither the child nor the puppy is “at fault.”
The environment needs adjustment.
Today’s priority: Prevent rehearsal of unsafe interactions
Behavior professionals emphasize management over correction when children are involved.
Evidence-based strategies for Day 6:
• Active supervision at all times
If an adult is not fully engaged, interaction should pause.
• Structured interaction windows
Short, calm interactions prevent overstimulation.
• Protected puppy rest
Disturbed sleep increases stress and reduces tolerance.
Teaching children supportive behavior
Children should be guided to:
avoid hugging or face-to-face contact
pet gently on the chest or side
allow the puppy to walk away freely
Choice and space reduce stress responses.
When separation is the right choice
Using gates, pens, or crates is not a failure, it is prevention.
Separation allows:
puppies to decompress
children to move freely
adults to reset the environment
Safety builds trust for both.
How to measure success today
Success looks like:
calm, brief interactions
fewer interruptions to rest
reduced puppy stress signals
Safe repetition builds positive associations.
Professional reassurance
Healthy child–dog relationships are created through structure, patience, and consistency.
Protecting both the puppy and the child today supports lifelong trust.
🤍 LMU Goldens
Evidence-based puppy guidance • Ethical breeding support
(Guidance aligned with AVSAB recommendations and pediatric dog-bite prevention research.)