Dogs and Kids, by Alexis Lieberman, MD

January 28, 2025

Here's a story about my own baby and dog... and safety tips!

Safety Tips for Raising a Child with a Dog: What Every Parent Should Know

When raising a child alongside a dog, safety should always be the top priority. As a parent with a deep love for both my baby and my dog, I learned firsthand the importance of proper supervision, training, and understanding animal behavior. One lesson I’ll never forget comes from an experience with my older Great Dane, Onyx, and my infant child. This lesson, which highlighted the unpredictability of even the gentlest dog, shaped the way I approach interactions between pets and children.

The Unlikely Bond: My Baby and Onyx the Great Dane

Onyx was a big, gentle, and calm Great Dane. I believed she was the perfect companion for my six-month-old baby. Watching the two of them together was heartwarming: Onyx laying beside the baby’s play mat, gently nuzzling her little hands, while the baby giggled with joy. It seemed like the perfect bond of innocence and love between a dog and a child.

However, one afternoon, Onyx growled at the baby. It was a deep, warning growl, and I froze. It was a shocking reminder that dogs, no matter how gentle, have instincts and boundaries that can’t always be anticipated.

A Wake-Up Call: The Importance of Supervision and Boundaries

This experience led me to a dog psychiatrist, where I received the blunt yet invaluable advice: “What, are you stupid?” She didn’t mince words, but she helped me realize the mistakes I made in assuming everything would be perfect between my dog and baby. It became clear that raising a child with a dog requires more than just trust—there must be supervision, boundaries, and an understanding of both the dog’s and child’s needs.

Here are some essential dog safety tips for parents or caregivers raising children with pets, especially if your child is a baby or toddler.

1. Always Supervise Dog-Child Interactions

One of the most critical dog safety tips for parents is to always supervise interactions between your child and your dog. Even if your dog is calm and friendly, it’s essential to be present. Babies and toddlers don’t understand a dog’s body language and may unintentionally provoke a reaction by grabbing ears, tails, or paws. Even the most patient dogs can become startled or frustrated, leading to an unpredictable response.

Never leave a baby or toddler alone with a dog, regardless of the dog’s temperament. Supervision is key to preventing accidents and ensuring both the child and dog feel safe.

2. Teach Your Child to Respect Animals

It’s never too early to teach your child how to treat animals with respect. Children need to understand that dogs have personal space and should be treated gently. Demonstrating calm petting techniques and teaching simple rules—like "don’t pull on the dog’s ears"—can lay the foundation for a respectful relationship between your child and the dog.

As your child grows, explaining dog behavior—such as growling or barking—will help them understand how animals communicate and why it’s important to respect those boundaries.

3. Understand Your Dog’s Temperament

Every dog has a unique temperament. Even a dog that’s calm and tolerant around babies may react differently depending on their mood or environment. It’s important to know your dog’s behavior around children. If your dog shows signs of discomfort or stress, it may not be safe to leave them alone with your child.

Take the time to observe your dog’s reactions to various situations, especially if they are aging or experiencing health issues. Dogs can change their behavior as they age, or they may become more sensitive to loud noises or sudden movements.

4. Create Safe Spaces for Both Your Dog and Child

Both your dog and your child need their own space to retreat when needed. Safe spaces can help reduce stress and prevent potential conflicts. Create a designated area for your dog where they can rest or retreat, away from the baby or toddler’s play area.

Additionally, ensure your child has their own safe space, like a crib or playpen, to explore without constant interaction with the dog. This will help ensure safety for both parties.

5. Proper Training for Your Dog

Training is essential when raising a dog in a household with children. Basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it” can help prevent accidents. Behavioral training is also key to teaching your dog how to respond to various situations. If your dog has shown any signs of aggression or anxiety, consulting with a professional dog trainer is a good idea to address these issues early on.

6. Monitor Your Dog’s Health

If your dog is elderly or has health issues, be extra cautious around your child. Pain or discomfort can make a dog more irritable or anxious, leading to unpredictable behavior. Regular vet check-ups and paying attention to your dog’s physical health can help prevent health-related behavior changes.

7. Watch for Warning Signs from Your Dog

Dogs communicate through body language, and it’s important to watch for warning signs that your dog might be feeling uncomfortable. Growling, backing away, or showing rigid body posture are clear signals that your dog is stressed or threatened. Learning to recognize these signs can help you intervene before a situation escalates.

8. Keep Your Dog Up to Date on Vaccinations

Since babies and toddlers have developing immune systems, it’s crucial to keep your dog up-to-date on vaccinations and parasite prevention. This reduces the risk of spreading infections or diseases between your dog and your child.

Conclusion: Creating a Safe Environment for Dogs and Children

Raising a child and a dog together is rewarding, but it requires a commitment to safety, respect, and understanding. Through proper training, supervision, and creating safe spaces, the bond between your dog and child can flourish. However, always remember that dogs have instincts and boundaries, and safety should never be taken for granted. It’s important to stay mindful and continue learning how to ensure the well-being of both your child and your dog.

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Working with Kids who have ADHD

By Alexis Lieberman • February 19, 2025

A few days ago, I had the chance to meet with a young patient I’ve known since he was born. Now seven years old, he came in to talk about his recent ADHD diagnosis. It was a big moment for him, but also a reminder of how important it is to really understand and support kids with ADHD. ADHD Symptoms and School Challenges Like many kids with ADHD, he was super outgoing and not at all shy about talking to me. He opened up right away about his relationships with his teachers, classmates, and how school was going for him. It was clear he was doing okay—he wasn’t crying at school or yelling at his teachers, which showed he had a pretty good handle on his emotions and impulses. That’s something kids with ADHD often struggle with, so it was nice to see that he had some self-control. Of course, like many kids with ADHD, he had trouble staying seated for long periods of time. It’s a common issue since kids with ADHD often have lots of energy and a hard time focusing for long stretches. This kid really struggled with staying in one spot for too long, which is a big problem in traditional classrooms where kids are expected to sit still and pay attention for hours. Creative Solutions for ADHD Kids: Thinking Outside the Classroom That got me thinking—what if there was a different kind of school for kids with ADHD? I’ve always wondered if programs like apprenticeships, where kids learn to be a woodworker or blacksmith, might work better. These types of hands-on jobs involve a lot of movement and learning by doing, which seems like it might be a better fit for kids who need to move around to stay engaged. Traditional school can feel like a tough fit for kids with ADHD, who often need to move and get their energy out in order to stay focused. I’ve also seen this firsthand with my own child, who has ADHD. My child had a math teacher who figured out that kids with ADHD need to move in order to stay engaged. Instead of sitting still at desks, the teacher had them stand up and use hand gestures to show math concepts. For example, they’d cross their arms to show multiplication and hold their arms parallel to show the equals sign. It wasn’t just fun—it worked! It helped the kids focus and made math a lot more interactive. That teacher understood that keeping kids with ADHD engaged meant thinking outside the box, and it made a huge difference for my child and the other kids. The Importance of ADHD Accommodations in School For the boy I saw recently, things at school were going okay, but we talked about the fact that he’d need support to keep thriving. Luckily, he already has a 504 Plan in place, which provides him with some important accommodations at school. Not all teachers are great at handling kids with ADHD, and some may not understand how important it is for kids to have room to move and get their energy out. But with his 504 Plan, he’s allowed to stand up and move around in class, which will help a lot. This kind of flexibility makes a big difference in helping kids succeed. ADHD Medication: A Tool for Focus and Success We also talked about the possibility of trying some medication to help with his ADHD. This is a topic that often brings up questions from parents. Just the other day, a mom asked me if giving her child a pill to help with ADHD might teach the child to look for pills as a way to solve problems in the future. It’s a good question, and I totally understand her concern. But research actually shows that kids with ADHD who take medication are less likely to develop substance abuse problems later in life. It’s a counterintuitive finding, but it makes sense when you think about it. Medication for ADHD helps improve focus, self-control, and overall functioning, which can actually make it less likely for kids to engage in risky behaviors. When ADHD is left untreated, kids may have a harder time with impulse control and regulating their emotions, which can sometimes lead to problems down the road. So, medication is just one part of a bigger picture—a tool in the toolbox, along with other strategies like therapy, lifestyle changes, and support at school. The Difference Between Drugs and Medication for ADHD The day before I met with this boy, I saw another child with ADHD. He was just as chatty and full of ideas, and I could’ve easily spent more time talking to him about his thoughts and creative ideas. He had a really interesting way of explaining the difference between “taking drugs” and “taking medication.” He understood that drugs are bad for you, but he also got that medication, when prescribed properly, can help you manage things like ADHD. It was a great reminder of how these kids, despite their challenges, often have a clear understanding of the world around them and how things work. The Joy of Working with Kids with ADHD Taking care of kids with ADHD is something I really enjoy. They’re often so smart, creative, and full of life—it’s impossible not to appreciate the way they see the world. These kids can be wildly inventive, and their way of thinking is often fresh and exciting. As a doctor, it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of their journey and to see how they grow and learn. For me, the most important part of this work is being a part of their team as they grow and helping them find the tools and strategies they need to become their best selves. It’s not just about treating a diagnosis—it’s about supporting them as they discover who they are and what they’re capable of. Building Strong Connections with ADHD Kids and Their Families But it’s also about the connections. Getting to know each child, understanding their unique strengths and struggles, is what makes this work so fulfilling. It’s not just about the medical side of things—it’s about the relationship, the trust, and the shared moments that come with working closely with these kids. Every child brings something special to the table, and it’s a privilege to witness their growth and to be there for them every step of the way. Helping these kids succeed is full of joy, laughter, and meaningful moments, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Conclusion: Supporting Kids with ADHD to Reach Their Full Potential In the end, my goal is to help kids with ADHD become the best versions of themselves. With the right tools and strategies—whether through hands-on learning, classroom accommodations, therapy, or medication—we can help them manage their challenges and succeed in school and life. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support these kids as they grow into their full potential.