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These are the real-life safety rules that protect both the puppy and the child. They prevent resource guarding, fear, stress, accidental bites, and misunderstandings — especially in busy homes.

Below are the most important, non-negotiable safety guidelines for families.


✅️ 1. Never Remove Treats, Chews, or Toys From a Puppy’s Mouth

Even the sweetest puppy can feel threatened if a child tries to grab an item from them.

✔️Teach children:

●“We don’t take things out of the puppy’s mouth. We trade.”

●“Freeze and call Mom/Dad,” not grab

●Let the adult trade: “Here’s a yummy treat!” → puppy releases → you take the object

This prevents resource guarding and keeps everyone safe.

✅️ 2. Children Should NOT Be in the Area While a Puppy Is Eating

✔️Meal time should always be:

●Calm
●Undisturbed
●Free from little hands reaching in

✔️Children:

●Should not touch the food bowl with puppy present

●Should not walk up on the puppy while eating

☆Food = safety to a puppy.
☆Protect that feeling.

✅️ 3. No Hugging, Squeezing, or Leaning Over the Puppy

●Most dogs (especially puppies) do not naturally enjoy hugs — it can feel threatening.

✔️Teach children:

●Soft petting, not squeezing

●Side-body cuddles only

●Don’t lean over the puppy’s face

●This prevents accidental fear responses.

✅️ 4. Avoid Face-to-Face Kissing

●May appear sweet, but not safe.

●Dogs communicate through facial signals, and kids may miss subtle warnings.

●Guide children to keep their face away from the puppy’s face.

✅️ 5. Never Disturb a Puppy Who Is Sleeping or in Their “Safe Space”

✔️This includes:

●Crate
●Playpen
●Dog bed
●Under furniture nap spots

✔️Teach children:  “When the puppy is resting, they are OFF LIMITS.”

●No poking.
●No waking up.
●No dragging them out to play.

✅️ 6. Do Not Allow Running, Screaming, or Chasing Games

✔️This creates:

●Over-arousal
●Nipping
●Herding behavior (especially with Aussies!)
●Accidental collisions

✔️Instead, play:

●Fetch
●Hide-and-seek
●Sit → treat games
●Calm petting sessions

✅️ 7. No Picking Up the Puppy Without an Adult

✔️Improper lifting can lead to:

●Dropping
●Fear
●Injury
●Learned dislike of being handled

✔️Teach:  Hands under the chest, bottom supported — with an adult present only.

✅ 8. Young children Should NOT Walk the Puppy

✔️This prevents:

●Pulling

●Unsafe releasing of the leash

●Accidental escape — the puppy slipping out of a collar or harness

●Children being dragged or knocked down

✔️Walking should always be done by an adult until the puppy is much older, trained, and predictable.

✅️ 9. Teach Children to Read Puppy Signals

✔️Show them what these mean:

●Yawning — I need a break

●Licking lips — I’m uncomfortable

●Turning head away — Too much pressure

●Stiff body — Stop immediately

●Walking away — Respect the space

✅️ 10. No Riding, Pulling, or Rough Play

Explain to children that the puppy is a baby — their bones, joints, and feelings are still developing.

✔️No:

●Climbing

●Pulling ears/tail

●Wrestling

●Laying on top of the puppy

✅️ 11. All Child–Puppy Interactions Must Be Supervised

●This is the rule that protects everything else.

●If you cannot supervise, the puppy is crated or in a playpen.

●Supervision = safety, confidence, and calm bonding.