Training Your Dog Around Toddlers and Young Kids | Pupford

There’s something deeply heartwarming about the connection between a dog and a child. The giggles when your pup gives a slobbery kiss, the shared naps, the first game of fetch—these moments often become treasured memories. But what’s not talked about as often is the preparation and training it takes to make those memories happen safely.

Toddlers and young kids don’t naturally understand how to respect a dog’s boundaries, and dogs don’t automatically know how to interpret or tolerate child-like behavior. Without the right structure, misunderstandings can happen—sometimes with serious consequences.

This guide is here to help you bridge that gap. You’ll learn how to train your dog to thrive around little ones, how to create a safe home environment, and how to teach your child to interact respectfully with their four-legged sibling. 

Whether you're introducing a new dog to a family with toddlers or helping a longtime furry friend adjust to your growing household, this post will walk you through how to create harmony through clear communication, positive training, and mutual understanding.

Table of Contents:

1. Why Training Around Kids Is Different
2. Key Skills Your Dog Should Know
3. Managing the Environment for Safety
4. Teaching Toddlers How to Interact with Dogs
5. Desensitization to Child-Like Behaviors
6. Preventing Resource Guarding Around Toddlers
7. Dog Body Language to Watch For

Why Training Around Kids Is Different

Training your dog to sit, stay, and come is one thing—but asking them to do it in the middle of toddler chaos is another story entirely. Children under the age of five tend to move unpredictably, make sudden noises, and often don’t understand personal space. That kind of environment can be overwhelming or even scary for many dogs, particularly if they haven’t been socialized with young kids.

Dogs rely heavily on predictability and patterns. A toddler who squeals while running straight toward them, grabs at their tail, or flops down next to their food bowl may cause confusion, stress, or even fear-based behaviors. 

It’s not disobedience—it’s a reaction to an unfamiliar situation they haven’t been taught how to navigate.

That’s why training around toddlers requires more than obedience—it calls for desensitization, trust-building, and clear boundaries. You’re not just teaching your dog to listen; you’re teaching them how to feel safe and confident around little humans.

Key Skills Your Dog Should Know

Before you begin actively integrating your dog into a toddler-filled environment, it’s helpful to establish a few foundation behaviors that will serve as your safety net. These behaviors offer structure for your dog while giving you the tools to keep everyone safe and calm during daily routines.

One of the most important skills is a reliable place or settle cue. This teaches your dog to go to a designated spot—like a mat or bed—and relax there until released. This skill can be invaluable during high-energy moments like diaper changes, playtime, or when you’re carrying food or toys across the room.

💡Learn more about Dr. Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol!

Another critical behavior is a solid leave it. When your toddler drops a snack, a toy, or even something unsafe like crayons or small plastic parts, your dog needs to be able to disengage immediately on cue. Paired with a drop it cue, these skills help prevent accidents and teach your dog to respect the things that don’t belong to them.

🐶 Ever wondered the difference between ‘Leave It’ and ‘Drop It”? 🐶

Recall and wait/stay are also helpful for managing distance. Whether you need your dog to come to you when a toddler approaches or stay behind a gate or on a mat while the child plays, these cues give you control over space in a calm, non-threatening way.

These behaviors don’t have to be perfect at first, but they should be well-rehearsed in quiet environments before you add the noise, motion, and unpredictability of toddlers into the mix.

Managing the Environment for Safety

Even the best-trained dog isn’t a robot, and toddlers certainly aren’t either. That’s why it’s essential to set up your environment in a way that minimizes risk and maximizes success for both species. Think of it as “babyproofing” for your dog and “dog-proofing” for your baby—two systems working in tandem.

Start by creating clear boundaries using physical tools like baby gates, playpens, or crates. These aren’t punishment devices—they’re safe zones. A baby gate can give your dog a quiet retreat during noisy playtime or meals. A crate with a comfy bed and a stuffed Kong can serve as a signal that it’s okay to rest while the house is busy.

Designate areas where interactions can happen, and just as importantly, areas where they shouldn’t. For instance, your dog’s bed, food station, or crate should be toddler-free zones. Likewise, the toddler’s toy bin should be out of your dog’s reach, especially during training.

Don’t rely on supervision alone. A well-managed environment gives you backup when your attention is split—something every parent can relate to.

Related Reading: Mastering Environmental Management 🐶

Teaching Toddlers How to Interact with Dogs

While much of the focus tends to be on training the dog, it’s just as important (if not more so), to teach toddlers how to respect a dog’s boundaries. Children learn best through repetition, modeling, and gentle correction, and it’s never too early to start.

Begin by teaching toddlers what not to do. Avoid hugging the dog, climbing on them, or grabbing tails and ears. Even dogs that tolerate this behavior are likely to become stressed over time, and some may eventually react defensively. 

Explain that dogs don’t like surprises or rough hands and reinforce the idea that if the dog walks away, we don’t follow.

Use positive language to show them what to do instead. Teach them to ask, “Can I pet you?” before reaching toward the dog, even if it’s their own dog. Demonstrate how to gently extend a hand, wait for the dog to come closer, and pet slowly on the shoulders or chest (not the face or top of the head). Make it a fun ritual: “One, two, three pats, and then we stop!”

You can also turn respectful dog interactions into a game. Have your child practice sitting quietly while holding a treat in a flat hand, then waiting for the dog to approach and take it gently. This helps kids learn impulse control and gives the dog a sense of predictability.

With time, patience, and frequent reminders, toddlers begin to internalize these boundaries. And once they see the dog responding positively - tail wagging, relaxed posture, calm engagement - they’re more likely to want to keep practicing the right behaviors.

Learn the benefits for kids who grow up with dogs! ❤️

Desensitization to Child-Like Behaviors

Many dogs are uncomfortable around toddlers not because they dislike children, but because they aren’t used to their erratic movements, shrill noises, or high energy levels. Desensitization helps gently expose your dog to these stimuli in a way that builds confidence rather than fear.

Start slow and low stakes. You can begin by playing recordings of baby giggles or tantrums at a low volume while your dog enjoys something they love, like a collagen stick. Over several sessions, gradually increase the volume and variety of sounds—laughing, crying, footsteps, toy sounds—while pairing them with calm praise and treats.

You can also mimic toddler movement yourself. Crawl across the room, shuffle clumsily, clap your hands unexpectedly, or drop soft toys on the ground. Observe your dog’s body language carefully. If they stay relaxed and engaged, reward them. If they look nervous or avoidant, take a step back and make the next session easier.

This kind of gradual exposure rewires your dog’s emotional response. Instead of flinching at the sound of a dropped toy, they start to associate that sound with something good. With enough practice, your dog will be more likely to stay relaxed and tolerant when the real toddler enters the room.

Preventing Resource Guarding Around Toddlers

One of the most serious risks in toddler-dog interactions is the potential for resource guarding. Dogs may become protective over food, toys, or even resting spaces—especially if they feel uncertain about a toddler’s behavior. This doesn’t make them “bad dogs.” It means they’re unsure how to communicate boundaries in a way that’s being understood.

The best approach to prevention is proactive training. Start by feeding your dog in a quiet, child-free zone where they won’t be disturbed. Never allow a toddler to reach into your dog’s bowl, and avoid having them walk too close during meals. This isn’t just about manners, it’s about building your dog’s sense of safety.

Similarly, supervise all toy play. If your dog has high-value items, especially chews or puzzle feeders, give them space to enjoy those without the risk of interruption. If your toddler drops a toy and your dog picks it up, avoid chasing or yelling. Instead, calmly cue a “drop it” and trade for something more rewarding.

You can also build trust through training games like “take it/drop it,” gentle handling exercises, and consent-based touch. Over time, your dog will learn that even when you or your child approaches their items or space, good things happen—and they don’t need to guard them.

If you ever notice early signs of guarding (stiffening, hovering over a toy, growling when approached), address it with a trainer experienced in positive reinforcement and resource guarding prevention.

Dog Body Language to Watch For

Dogs communicate their feelings with subtle body language, and being able to read these signs can help you intervene before any situation escalates. This is especially important when toddlers are involved, as they often miss the early warning signs that a dog is uncomfortable.

Watch for signs like turning the head away, licking their lips repeatedly, yawning when not tired, or holding their body stiffly. Whale eye (where the whites of the eyes are visible) can also indicate discomfort or anxiety. If you see any of these signs, guide your toddler away and give your dog a break.

Even more overt signs like growling or walking away should be respected, not punished. Growling is a communication tool—your dog is saying, “I’m not okay with this.” Responding with punishment may teach them not to warn next time, which increases the risk of a bite.

Instead, focus on prevention, supervision, and gentle redirection. The more you respect your dog’s cues, the more they’ll trust that they don’t need to escalate to be heard.

Related Reading: How To Greet A Dog Safely 🐶

Recap: Training Your Dog Around Toddlers and Young Kids

Training your dog around toddlers and young kids is about more than obedience—it’s about building a relationship based on mutual understanding, respect, and trust. 

While it takes time and consistency, the reward is worth it: a peaceful home, safe interactions, and a bond between dog and child that can grow stronger year after year.

Every positive interaction lays the foundation for a lifetime of companionship. With thoughtful training, a well-managed environment, and a willingness to teach both your pup and your child, you can set the stage for one of the most heartwarming relationships in your household.