I get this question a lot.
Parent buys a dog for the children. The dog is a little anxious and nervous. Dog struggles to escape or avoid the playful children…one child gets too close and the dog lunges, growls or snaps at the child. Enter cue for dog trainer (me).
Is it possible for a dog that is currently displaying nervous/fearful/aggressive behavior around children eventually learn to play with them nicely? Maybe…maybe not.
We need to start from the premise that every dog is a UNIQUE being with a UNIQUE personality. Some dogs are super playful, others like to be quiet by themselves. Some dogs like to play fetch, others like to be chased. Some dogs LOVE to swim, others couldn’t care less for water. Some dogs like to be petted and cuddled, others are okay by just being in the same room as you. You get the point.
As a dog trainer my philosophy is not to change a dog’s personality, it is to help that dog become properly socialized around people, other pets, and environments. By this I mean my goal is simply existence.
Here’s an example of existence:
My german shepherd mix used to run towards any dog she’d see and attack it. Didn’t matter if it was 5 feet away or 50 feet away. I desperately wanted her to be best friends with every dog she saw, and to run around the park with another dog and be happy. I learned that’s not who she is.
Not wanting to force her to be something she’s not…I opted for existence. Now, she no longer runs towards other dogs to attack them. She looks at them, acknowledges that they exist…maybe even sniffs their bum…and then moves on.
She doesn’t need to be best friends with every dog she sees. She doesn’t have that personality. But she certainly needs to learn to exist CALMLY around them.
So…will your dog be able to play nicely with your children? Quite possibly. It all depends on their personality.
However, at the BARE MINIMUM dogs should be polite and calm around the family.
For tips about how to keep your dog polite around the family please email me at bethebossdogtraining@gmail.com
More Tips
Check out our other posts
If Grooming Your Dog Feels Like a Wrestle Match, Read This
If grooming your dog feels like a fight every single time, you’re not alone—and it’s not actually about grooming.
Most dogs resist because they’ve never been taught how to stay still, accept handling, or cooperate through the process. The result? Wiggling, pulling away, scratched hands, wasted time, and expensive groomer visits that don’t fix the problem.
The good news is this: you don’t need better tools or more patience—you need a better approach. When you teach your dog calm handling and stillness, everything changes. Grooming becomes faster, easier, and far less stressful for you. In this blog, you’ll learn how to stop the struggle, cut grooming time in half, and finally get through it without the chaos.
Leash Pulling Isn’t the Problem—Your Dog Is Making the Decisions
Leash pulling, ignoring commands, and constant distraction aren’t just bad habits—they’re signs your dog is making the decisions.
If your dog only listens when it benefits them, walks feel exhausting, or you’re getting embarrassed in public, the issue isn’t more commands—it’s clarity in leadership.
In this blog, you’ll learn why dogs take control on walks, how that affects their behavior in real-world situations, and what it actually takes to become the one your dog chooses to follow. Because once that shifts, everything else starts to fall into place.
The Timing Mistake That’s Ruining Your Dog’s Training
Struggling with a dog that only listens sometimes?
The issue might not be your commands—it’s your timing. In this guide, we break down how rewarding too early creates confusion, slows progress, and leads to inconsistent behavior.
Learn how one simple shift can make training clearer, faster, and way more effective for both you and your dog.
The Truth About ‘Random’ Aggression (And Why It’s Ruining Your Life)
Most dog owners think their dog’s aggression comes “out of nowhere”—but what if it’s actually a pattern you’ve been missing the entire time?
From stressful walks to uncomfortable moments with guests, your dog’s behavior isn’t just frustrating… it’s affecting your daily life more than you realize. The good news? It’s predictable—and that means it’s fixable. In this blog, you’ll learn how to spot the hidden triggers, understand the warning signs, and recognize the 30-second pattern that happens before every reaction.
Once you see it, you can step in earlier, prevent the behavior, and finally start enjoying life with your dog again.