Later on, when the child is growing up, the first thing that needs to be done is to train children to have proper respect for the pet dog. Small children especially should never be left alone for a long period of time with the dog unsupervised. A young child may challenge or injure the dog unintentionally and the result could be tragic.

Dog owners share the responsibility for bite prevention as well. They should socialize their puppies to small children at an early age. (It helps to buy from a breeder who has started this socialization prior to the puppy purchase, for the younger the puppy is exposed to gentle children, the more tolerant of children it will become.) Socialization can be as simple as walking the dog near a playground where children are making noise, running about, playing ball or Frisbee or soccer or walking through the neighborhood while the kids wait for the school bus. The dog can be told to walk at a heel through a crowd of children, to sit-stay and watch the play or allow the children to pet his head, to down-stay until the end of the game. Constant exposure of this type will accustom the dog to the presence and antics of children.

It is a natural thing for a small child to want to play with the pet dog. However this can be a stressful time for the dog, especially if the child does not leave the dog alone. Some dogs don't like to be touched or poked all the time, and will react if they have had enough. Don't allow your child to do to the dog what you would not want them to do to another child.

Bear in mind that your children should never stare at a dog. Staring is considered a challenge in the dog world and the dog may bite to protect himself. Moreover, children should never chase a dog. Chasing puts the children in a position of subordination.

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