12. Tips for Safe Playtime for Dogs and Kids

Parenting Kids and Dogs 101

Welcome to Parenting Kids and Dogs 101, a limited series podcast for parents who live with kids and dogs, or plan to. I'm your host, Michelle Stern, the founder of Pooch Parenting. I'm not just a certified professional dog trainer and former teacher, I'm a mom too. In each episode of this series, I hope you'll feel like I'm chatting with you, one parent to another, about life with kids and dogs, answering common questions my clients ask me, and giving you simple solutions to make your life easier and safer.
I hope you'll subscribe and join me for the whole series, and don't forget to grab the accompanying workbook at https://poochparenting.net/podcastworkbook/
Enrichment Builds Relationships

• Not all playtime with kids and dogs has to involve them touching each other
• Kids can be involved in the care of their dog and this builds relationships too
• Kids can stuff food toys like Kongs and Toppl's, spreading ingredients on lickimats, making enrichment toys out of the items in the recycling bin
• Making enrichment food toys for dogs can improve kids fine and gross motor skills
• Spreading ingredients can be excellent sensory input for children because it involves the scents and textures of different ingredients

Safe Games and Playtime for Kids and Dogs

• Kids can throw balls or pieces of food from the other side of a barrier
• Toddlers and younger kids can roll balls on the floor or over the top of the coffee table while the dog chases it on the other side
• Games like Freeze Dance or Red Light Green Light are fun to play as a family with the dog and rely on rewarding the dog for sitting or laying down when family members go still
• Blowing meat-flavored bubbles for dogs

It's only natural for questions about our kids and dogs to arise from time to time, especially as our babies grow up and our dogs mature. And if I'm being honest, it's not really worth asking for free advice from friends or online because you can't rely on the accuracy of the feedback you are getting. If you'd like to learn more about The Pooch Parenting Society, where I offer practical life and science-based tips and strategies, ongoing support and a safe place to share, head on over to www.safekidsanddogs.com. From one parent to another, I see you and I promise, you're not alone.
If you have questions about your kids and dogs or would like to book an appointment, participate in a group coaching program or take an online class, visit my website: www.poochparenting.net