Pets and kids are a cute combination, but safety should always come first!

By the age of 12, half of the children in the United States have been bitten by a dog, and research shows that kids are most often bitten by a dog they know. Any pet can bite, so all pets need to be treated with respect and kindness. Understanding how pets communicate and knowing how and when to interact with them will help keep both kids and pets safe! Remember to always ask: "How would I like it?"

Help prevent bites before they happen!

• Learn and pay attention to what pets are communicating. Subtle stress signals are often ignored and can result in bites. Just because it seems like a pet is tolerating a behavior, it doesn’t mean they’re comfortable.
• Actively supervise all interactions between kids and pets.
• Advocate for your pet and their well-being. Don't allow your pet to experience unwanted interactions with children.
• Teach your child appropriate and respectful behavior around pets

Remember to W.A.I.T.

Check out the resources below to learn how to keep interactions fun and safe for both children and pets!

Pet Activity Sheets

Don't Pet a Dog Who (English) Don't Pet a Dog Who (Spanish)	How to Meet a Dog: WAIT (English) How to Meet a Dog: WAIT (Spanish)

Resources for Pets and Children

Did you know we have certified Family Paws Parent Educators on our training team? To set your pets and kids up for success, we've compiled a number of helpful resources for families with young children and also offer a monthly virtual Dogs & Storks class through Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for expectant parents. And for parents with young children, we offer a monthly virtual Dogs & Toddlers class through San Diego Humane Society.

More Resources

• The Family Dog
• Family Paws
• Dog Aware Body Language - Family Paws Parent Education
• Stop the 77 - The Family Dog
• Doggie Drawings: Infographics
• Dog Bite Prevention Program: SAFE - Free materials for kids
• Resources – Lakes Animal Friendship Society
• Dog Bite Safety Education | The DogSmith
• Be A Tree Program (doggonesafe.com)
• Children & Dogs - How They Can Live Together | RSPCA
• Zocdoc - How to Teach Your Kid About Animal Safety

Videos

• Behavior & Training Lecture: Promoting Successful Interactions between Dogs and Young Children
• Keeping the Peace Between Dogs and Kids
• How to Teach Kids about Dog Body Language and Training.
• Behavior and Training Lecture: Can You Speak Dog or Cat?
• Consent in Cats
• The Family Dog Kid Vids