Leaving kids and dog alone together

[Moreandmoreandmore]

I’m hoping to get a dog next year and working through all the logistics . I know the advice is never to leave a child and a dog alone together. How does this work if you have kids old enough to stay in the house alone? I have a ten year old who I currently leave for 20 mins while I pop to the shops etc. I’m not sure what I would do if we get a dog - dog can’t come into shops with me. Do people take the dog out with them always? Or make the child come out? What age is it ok for a dog and child to be alone?

Yes, I happily left my 10 year old at home with my older dog for a quick trip to shop etc. Now we have a puppy I leave the puppy in the crate if I’m not in (mainly as DS will be distracted by screens and not notice if puppy is chewing shoes etc!).

I have two kids 11 and 14 and a lovely dog and they have been left alone in the house frequently for various reasons, mostly one of the kids football matches. I actually have to tell the kids to not ignore the dog cos they usually just sit and play PS$ or another screen. Dog usually just goes to sleep in our bed and will wander down now and again for an attention cuddle. Has never worried me but again they are not toddlers and loves and respect the dog and know not to annoy him

I have started to leave my 12 year old DD alone with the dog for short periods of time. She is very good with the dog who never gets annoyed by her so I feel confident leaving them alone together. But our dog is tiny and if she were to turn on my DD couldn't cause serious damage. I used to have a gentle lab who I would never have left alone with a child as if anything did happen a child would have no chance. I wouldn't leave my younger DD alone with our current dog either because I am always having to tell her to give the dog space. So imo it depends on the dog's temperament and ability to cause damage and on the child.

Yes depends on size of the dog and size of the child. I have a 13 year old DS who is taller and bigger than me so if our lab turned on him it’s the same as the lab turning on me really. Though I still try and keep them separate if I’m out. So dog shut in kitchen and DS upstairs in his room. DS instructed not to bother the dog.

Our DS is 12, we also have 2 cats. We leave the dog sleeping in the kitchen if we're out leaving them all for less than an hour. Any longer than that and we put the cats out and give the dog free run of the house (maximum time of 3 hours but this has only happened once so far). Its works well, we only started when our dog was 18 months old and DS had turned 12. Neither of them really move from their beds 😄

Don't leave dog and child together unsupervised, regardless of how old the child, how small/harmless the dog.

My ex left our DS with his border terrier while he nipped to the shop. DS was bitten through to the bone despite dog being 'small/harmless' etc. Every parent whose child was ever bitten says 'but the dog is safe as houses....'

Create a safe enclosed run in the garden where you can leave the dog, or perhaps a crate. Or take the dog with you.

Or don't get one!