Crates and Playpens As an infant, your baby is immediately accustomed to a crib, and when your baby reaches the toddler stage, you will greatly depend on your playpen as a means of protecting your child and keeping her from any harm. In the same way, your dog's crate can be its own safe haven. Do not allow children's toys or children in the crate and remove all dog's toys from playpens so that the distinction is clear to everyone. Toddlers Do not allow your child to do anything to your dog that you would not want him to do to another child. Remember, out of sight probably equals into trouble.
Most problems occur between children and dogs when no one is watching.
Anticipate problems before they happen. If your dog has growled at your child, anticipate that a bite is next, even if your dog has never bitten anyone. Try to determine why the growl occurred. If you cannot identify the reason the dog is threatened by the child, seek the advice of a dog trainer or behaviorist. If you tell your dog to stop licking the child, enforce it.