Have you got young children and a dog or puppy? Dogs and kids will enrich each other's lives, but care must be taken that dogs don't accidentally hurt children or vice-versa. Follow this simple training plan to teach your dog or puppy how to behave around young children.

When dogs or puppies and children are together there must be a responsible adult to supervise. Accidents can happen, and dogs and kids don't always know how to treat each other.

When supervision isn't possible, steps must be taken to ensure that both are safe from each other. Baby gates and play pens are very useful. Dogs who are crate trained may be left in their crate or in another room.

Teach children how to behave around dogs. Children must know that it is never ok to hurt or frighten a dog in any way. Teach your children what a frightened or angry dog looks like, there are many excellent books on this subject available. Teach your children not to squeal around dogs, and that if a dog is chasing them they are better to stand quietly and still than to run away.

Children must be taught not to interfere with a dog who is eating, nor should they try to take a toy from a dog. Parents can be pro-active in training a dog to accept being approached and touched when eating. This training should not be forceful or dominating. It is better to teach the dog that there isn't anything to worry about, threatening and forcing teaches the dog that there is something to defend or protect. Instructions can be found in several good books or from an experienced positive-reinforcement trainer.

You can teach a dog how to behave around children. Always have some small treats in a bowl or container on a high bench or in your pocket. When you see your dog doing something you like, immediately praise and reward with a treat. Clicker training is particularly useful here. Focus on the positive - calm behavior such as sitting, laying down, keeping a little distance, four paws on the floor. Mark the good behaviour with your praise or clicker, and reward promptly. With repetition, you will see more and more of the behavior you do want, resulting in happier, safer interactions between dog and child.