Children and Pet Dogs

Dogs are great for children, wonderful for learning about caring relationships. However they are predators with a mouthful of teeth! If you have young children, safety is a major factor when choosing your dog.

Children and babies should never be left unattended with the dog.

The dog must be given a sanctuary place where they will left completely alone—not stroked, trodden on, or woken up with a surprise cuddle (often a trigger for a defensive bite). Children must be shown how to be gentle, and parents must be willing to enforce discipline to protect the dog! This is especially important when your Greyhound arrives—the dog will be stressed and the children will be excited.

Any signs of teasing or bullying by a child must be taken seriously and stopped. Otherwise it's only a matter of time. All breeds, including Greyhounds, have a breaking point when taunted by children. As long as your Greyhound has an option to move away, he'll normally take it, so teach your children not to follow your dog into a corner or to his bed. Never let a child disturb a Greyhound when it is asleep.

If you teach children respect for your dog, they will soon become the best of friends.