Kids and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly. As your kid’s first best friend, a dog can teach empathy, responsibility, and unconditional love. In celebration of National Kids and Pets Day, here are five fun activities that dogs and kids can enjoy together, and what parents should know to encourage safe interactions.

Teach Dog Safety To Prevent Bites

While kids and dogs make adorable playmates, safe and respectful interactions don’t always come naturally. In fact, of the ~4 million dog bites reported in the United States each year, about half of those affect children. Kids commonly get bitten on the face and neck when they hug too tightly, put their face close for a kiss, and otherwise invade a dog’s personal space.
No matter how much your dog loves kids, and no matter how much rough play they seem willing to tolerate, it’s vitally important that your dog always feels safe and respected. Dogs are still animals, not babysitters, and they may growl to communicate when they feel irritated, unsafe, or trapped. When their warning signals are ignored, and they feel they have no other choice, all dogs can bite.
Kids under ten years old should always be supervised by an adult when playing with their dog. They can be taught from toddlerhood to be gentle and to give a dog space when they’re sleeping, when they’re eating, and when they say “I need space!” by growling or avoiding contact.
Try these activities to keep your kids (both four-legged and human) entertained while teaching important life skills.

5 Fun Games Kids Can Play with Dogs

• Hide and seek. Dogs won’t grasp the concept of hiding, but they’ll love seeking by following their nose to sniff out your child’s hiding spot. Hide and seek is also a great way to strengthen your dog’s recall as they learn how rewarding it can be to come when their small human calls them. Have your dog “stay” in another room, then help kids find places to hide, or hide with your child if they’re very young. Your dog will learn to search when your kid calls their name, and can get a tasty treat when they find their mini-human.
• Jumping through a hoop. Jumping through a hoop is an easy trick to teach your dog with your child’s help. Hold a hula hoop perpendicular to the floor while your kid lures the dog to walk through with a healthy dog treat. Once your dog gets the idea, you can gradually lift the hoop so they jump through. If the dog tries to walk under or around the hoop, try lowering it and having your dog try again. This can be a great opportunity to show kids how to be patient when dogs make mistakes and try, try again.
• Digging for buried treasure. If your dog likes to dig, and your kid doesn’t mind sharing their sandbox, you can have your kid bury washable dog toys for your pup to find. This can also be a great game for playing at your favorite dog-friendly beach.
• Bubble party. Kids love blowing bubbles, and dogs love chasing them. Win-win! Most bubble solution is nontoxic in small quantities but can cause stomach upset or sting your dog’s eyes. You can find flavored, dog-safe bubble solution at pet stores. You can even refill a bubble blowing machine with doggy bubble solution, just make sure to rinse out any soapy residue before use.
• Go doggy fishing with a flirt pole. A flirt pole, the larger, dog-friendly version of a cat’s toy wand, can be a great way to help your dog exercise. It’s also a great alternative to fetch and tug-of-war, because your kids do not have to put their hands near the dog’s mouth or grab the toy, which can potentially cause resource guarding or lead to an accidental bite. You can purchase a flirt pole for dogs or fashion one with a 1” PVC pipe, bungee cord, and a fluffy squeaky dog toy. Kids love to “fish” for their dog by baiting them with a toy, and can learn to play nicely by letting the dog win and enjoy their “catch” until they’re ready to chase the toy again.

Even these fun, safe activities need to be under an adult’s supervision, and may need to be adjusted for your kid’s age and level of experience with dogs. Basic skills like giving treats in a flat palm, avoiding running or shouting around dogs, and gentle petting need to be taught before the games can begin

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.