by Bridget Webber

Created on: January 27, 2009   Last Updated: August 11, 2011

There are two important points to consider when you are paving the way for older dogs and children to live happily together. The first is that when introducing any new human member to the household, and particularly a child, you will need the pack order to be established. Your dog must recognise that your child is above them in the pecking order.

The next important point is that when dogs get old and weary, just like humans, they can gain aches and pains. They may feel like lounging around without too much fuss going on around them. Children, however, are at the opposite end of the scale. They can be loud and boisterous, wanting to scream, shout and leap around making as much noise as possible.

Both the pack order and behavior issues need to be dealt with very early on if they are to establish a happy, healthy relationship. If the pack order isn't made clear then your dog will imagine that they are the boss of your child. This could be dangerous. And if your child isn't taught to respect your dog’s old age, more trouble could arise.

To teach your dog that your child is above them in rank you need to make it clear that your child comes first in ways that helps demonstrate this fact to your dog. In the wild the alpha, or top, dog always gets to eat first and is given the tastiest parts of the meal. They also get to be in charge and to leave left over’s they don’t want for the lesser ranked members.

It can help if you observe this ritual at home by making you dog always wait to eat until you as a family have eaten first. Your child may then begin to bond with your dog, at the same time as pulling rank, by being allowed to put your dog’s food bowl onto the ground as the dog sits and waits. Your child can then issue the command for the dog to let them know they are allowed to eat.

You can show your dog in other ways too, that your child is above them in rank. Keeping your dog off of furniture, including beds and chairs can let your dog know that your child is being treated differently and is allowed better privileges than them. Getting your child involved in treat giving, but only after your dog has followed a command issued by them, will also show them that they need to assume a lower role than your child.

When it comes to the clashing needs of your dog and child you will need to teach your child not to behave in a fashion that may upset your dog. For example a child should never be left to clamber all over a dog, to pull their fur or tail or to behave in a way which may be inadvertently thought of by the dog as being challenging or upsetting.

It is a great idea to let them exercise together, but to remember that as your dog is elderly it probably will not be able to keep up with your child and will need rest, peace and some quiet time too.

Once these points have been dealt with there is no reason why your old dog and your child can’t enjoy a great, happy relationship which provides them with fun and companionship.

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