As of: March 12, 2024, 2:14 p.m
By: Juliane Gutmann
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When dogs “take care” of small children, it can be a sweet sight.
But some dog behaviors are anything but harmless for small children.
Instagram and TikTok are full of them: videos showing babies and toddlers with dogs.
Pit bull terriers cover the little ones, border collies lie down in the baby seat with the infants or dogs and children apparently playfully chase each other in the garden.
What parents often interpret as a sign of deep affection and is also celebrated on social platforms can actually have disturbing backgrounds.
Dog experts strongly warn against leaving children and dogs unattended.
In the worst case, fatal biting incidents can occur between a dog and a small child - even if the dog has not shown any obviously aggressive behavior beforehand.
Dog behavior is often misinterpreted by people
Dog trainer Martin Rütter, for example, explains that some of the dogs' behavior that is considered cute comes from their prey-catching behavior - and should therefore be viewed highly critically when it comes to children.
Children and dogs should not play together unsupervised.
© Imago
In an interview with
NDR
, Rütter gives the example of a dog that puts its head on the infant, nudges it or covers it with a sheet: “These are all elements that come from prey-catching behavior.
So someone is digging up loot.
This is dangerous.
And I really still think that under no circumstances should people leave a dog alone with small children.
Not even a small dog,” said the dog expert.
Many biting incidents are related to people not correctly assessing their own dogs or other dogs.
So it is by no means a sign of great interest if a dog stares at you and raises his tail stiffly.
On the contrary, these signs indicate that the dog is irritated and getting ready to attack.
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Setting up rules in a household with dogs and children
“A dog is and remains a predator.
There is always a residual risk with dogs and children, even if they are such lovely dogs.
I have four children and of course dogs.
We never leave our children alone with the dogs,” said Martin Rütter in the
Welt
interview.
Children and dogs can be compatible, but clear rules are essential.
For example, that the dog is never alone with the child, but also that the dog has a fixed place where it can relax and which is taboo for babies and small children.