Rule #4: Beware of Dog.

Navigating Homes with Dogs: A Guide for Early Intervention Providers

As Early Intervention providers, we visit families in their homes; sometimes, those homes include furry family members.

Dogs can be wonderful companions, offering loyalty, affection, and security. 

“In reality, the very same traits that make these breeds the best protectors also make them incredible family pets: fierce loyalty to the people they’ve adopted as their “pack,” the intelligence to make them trainable to respond to actual threats and a lovable streak a mile wide.”

“15 Best Guard Dogs That Also Make Wonderful Family Pets,”from Good housekeeping, by Amina Lake Abdelrahman and Lizz Schumer. JUN 28, 2022.

Studies show that being raised with dogs can benefit children. 

According to The American Kennel Club article “8 Ways Kids Benefit from Having a Dog,” kids benefit from having a dog.

• They have higher self-esteem
• They’re more compassionate
• They feel supported
• They have better cognitive skills
• They have less stress
• They’re happier
• They’re healthier
• They’re more responsible 

American Kennel Club, “8 Ways Kids Benefit from Having a Dog,” written by AKC staff April 7, 2022.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that dogs can also be aggressive. It is in their nature.   

“A dog that shows aggression to people usually exhibits some part of the following sequence of increasingly intense behaviors:

• Becoming very still and rigid
• Guttural bark that sounds threatening
• Lunging forward or charging at the person with no contact
• Mouthing, as though to move or control the person, without applying significant pressure
• “Muzzle punch” (the dog literally punches the person with her nose)
• Growl
• Showing teeth
• Snarl (a combination of growling and showing teeth)
• Snap
• Quick nip that leaves no mark
• Quick bite that tears the skin
• Bite with enough pressure to cause a bruise
• Bite that causes puncture wounds
• Repeated bites in rapid succession
• Bite and shake

(Aggression, from ASPCA.org accessed April 8, 2024.)

A Dog’s Protective Nature toward babies Can Be Inconvenient to us as Home Visitors.

“New people or animals in the house may set off his or her protective mode and your dog may try to guard the baby against intruders. In some aspects this is nice, however, if you are trying to show off your new bundle of joy to your Aunt Trudy, this can be quite a nuisance.”

Why Do Dogs Become Protective of Babies? by Billie Raucci at WagWalking.com Jan 30, 2020.

That aggressive behavior could seem personal. 

Researchers found that dogs are indeed racist. The researchers think that, like children, dogs can pick up on bias from their owners. Their explanation?

“it may be that unfamiliarity with non-White people may result in fewer positive responses and more frequent negative responses toward Black individuals. This is comparable to a dog who has seldom encountered men with beards, and in the absence of socialization to them, responds negatively when a bearded man approaches them.”

Taken from “Can Dogs Be Racist?” by Stanley Coren, in Psychology Today Sept 17, 2019.

And women seem to be more at risk. This is worth mentioning since Early Intervention seems to be mostly women.

“In 2018, 78% of dog bite fatality victims were female, the highest recorded in a single year. (dog bites, 2019)

Taken from DogsBite.org, 2018 U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities Discussion Notes, May 10, 2019.

Being aware of the risk is crucial, especially when entering strange homes. 

Don’t be fooled by cute and cuddly dogs. They can also be aggressive. I have been nipped in the ankles by dozens of chihuahuas. In fact, the dog featured in the photo above is the meanest dog I have ever had. He looks sweet in the photo, but he bit each member of the family at least once. It got so bad we chose to rehome him. I have been told he is now in a kid-free, single-adult home and doing great.

Putting Safety First: My Own Practical Tips for Home Visits

The most important thing is to remember that we, as home visitors, are strangers invading that dog’s space. His instinct, no matter his breed, is to protect his people. It is up to us to use caution.

• Before entering the home, ask about any dogs. (Or exotic pets) on the phone. Ask the family about the dog’s temperament and any potential concerns. 
• Do not enter a property containing a dog unless you’re accompanied by the dog’s person. 
• Keep your eyes on the dog. Be aware of where the dog goes so that you can avoid his space and observe his body language, especially if you are on the floor with the baby.
•  Stay out of the dog’s space. If a large dog is in the house, I won’t get on the floor to play. I stay on the couch. I don’t want to do something that would seem threatening. 
• Stay away from his stuff. If you see his food bowl, bed, crate, or toys, be mindful when approaching them. When I roll a car back and forth with a child, the car will often stray into dog areas. In that case, use caution when retrieving the car.
• Toys: Not all toys you see on the floor are for children. Random balls or stuffed animals might be for the dog.
• Ask the family for help. If the dog seems agitated, politely ask the family to secure the dog in another room during your visit. As someone who receives weekly home visits in my own home, I am used to people being cautious of my dog. It is an entirely reasonable request. 

Conclusion

Dogs can be a valuable part of a family, and for many children, they can be cherished companions. However, it’s important to be aware of potential safety concerns for yourself. By approaching each situation with respect for both the dog and the child, we can create a safe and enriching environment for early intervention services.