December 20, 2019
If you have a small child and a dog, chances are you’re eager to see the two of them getting along. Unfortunately, depending on the size, age, and temperament of your dog, it can be a bit tricky getting the two acquainted with each other - especially when it comes to walking the dog.
Each dog is unique, and every child is unique, so it’s hard to have a definitive guide regarding what age a child should walk a dog, but consider some of the following concerns:
If your dog is the type that likes to run around and sniff everything, wait until your child is around 8-10 before letting them go on walks together. The same rule applies for big dogs, excitable dogs, and dogs that bark or are easily riled up by things like bicycles and cars.
As a general rule, children under 5 probably shouldn’t be walking dogs, unless they're with an adult and being supervised. And even then, children under 5 should only walk small dogs or well-trained dogs to minimize the chance of your child losing control.
With older children and teenagers, walking the dog is a perfectly acceptable chore that can be done daily! A good walk is 30 minutes to an hour and will aim to let your dog sniff and explore, while also staying reasonably obedient on the leash. Don't let your teenage children encourage bad habits by ignoring the dog at the end of the leash. working with your kids to show them how to keep the family dog under control on the leash will help keep your dogs leash manners sharp no matter who is walking him.
Whatever the case, make sure the first few times you let your child walk the dog that you’re there with them. This will help to ensure that you’ll be in control should anything happen. Another idea is to have two separate leashes - one for you to hold and one for your child, which can help with training as long as you are being clear about the leash commands, and not over-using them to annoy or confuse your dog.