Children And Dogs
How accurately do young children recognize dogs’s emotions?
Many young children live in households with dogs or they encounter them in other environments. Humans' ability to understand dogs' emotions and body language is integral to good dog welfare and to mitigate safety risks, so knowing how well children are able to do this is key to positive and safe dog-child relationships. In this interview, Dr. Sarah Rose, PhD discusses her research on young children's ability to accurately interpret dogs' emotions and body language. Her research also investigated how children decide to interact with a dog when they have correct knowledge of the dog's emotional state. Drawing on her background as a researcher in developmental child psychology, Dr. Rose then discusses how best to help young children learn how to appropriately interact with dogs.
Watch the interview with Dr. Sarah Rose here:
Why it’s crucial to dog rehoming success to understand the science around dogs and children
Click on the infographic to download (It will open in a new window).
What can we do to help prevent dog bites in children
In order to help prevent dog bites to children, it is important to consider several factors. It is equally as important that we ensure dogs maintain good welfare as part of the multi-faceted bite prevention process. In this interview, Dr. Sara Owczarczak-Garstecka, PhD discusses her research on how best to prevent dog bites to children and what to remember in doing so, including not ignoring a dog's history and past behavioral patterns, not expecting dogs and children necessarily to get along, and what practical dog training and management can be used. Dr. Owczarczak-Garstecka also discusses the shame that can be experienced by owners whose dogs have inflicted a bite, and how to mitigate that shame.
Watch the interview with Dr. Sara Owczarczak-Garstecka here:
An interview with Dr. Emily Levine, the author of the children’s book “Doggy Do’s and Doggy Dont’s”
In order to ensure children have a safe and positive relationship with dogs, it is extremely important that they know how to appropriately interact with dogs, especially those they live with. In this interview, we chat with Dr. Emily Levine, veterinary behaviorist and author, about her book, "Doggy Do's and Doggy Don'ts". This children's book is an excellent tool for teaching how to behave around and interact with dogs, so that everybody is happy! This book should also spark meaningful conversations between adults and children about what dogs want, like, and need!