15/05/2026
A dog can be a wonderful addition to a family but it’s important that we follow safety advice around children
Last year over 1,700 children were admitted to hospital with dog bites. Children age 0-4 are most likely to be bitten by a dog with 80% caused by a dog known to them
Dogs who are calm and happy are less likely to react
Make sure your dog has a safe space and ensure children respect that space and leave the dog alone
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise
Never leave children and dogs together unsupervised and separate them with a physical barrier, such as a safety gate, if you notice any change in behaviour from either
Teach your child there are certain times to leave the dog alone such as sleeping, eating and if they are playing with their favourite toy
If you have your dog before your baby you can help prepare your dog by putting the baby items in the house before they arrive so your dog can smell them, play baby sounds to get them used to the noise, when introducing them give your dog treats for calm behaviour
The Dogs Trust and RSPCA say the essentials are close supervision and understanding your dogs body language, teaching children that dogs don’t always want to be hugged ❤️
If a bite happens, wash the wound thoroughly under running water and cover with a sterile dressing. If the bite is severe it should be seen by a health professional to check if stitches are needed or a tetanus
Sources: CAPT, ONS, Dogs Trust, RSPCA
