07/08/2026
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of fair play between dogs and kids.
Notice the mutual respect between the girls and Rusty as they play.
✅ They wait until he has dropped the ball to grab it.
✅Rusty drops the ball knowing he has an opportunity to keep “winning” the game. Knowing he can win motivates him to keep bringing the ball back dropping it.
✅ There are no dirty tricks, like never allowing him to win the ball. The dog needs to “win” in order for the game to feel rewarding to them. Not letting him win can lead to frustration and resource guarding.
✅ They refrain from touching and grabbing him while they play. Grabbing dogs during play can trigger defensive behaviors such as growling, barking, and nipping.
✅ They are not chasing Rusty to get the ball from him. Humans lose control of the game and it can create frustration and friction in the relationship.
✅ They are not in his face trying to hug and kiss him. Hugs and kisses are not natural behaviors to dogs and can appear as threatening or as an invasion of space.
Appropriate play and teaching kids to respect dogs (and all animals) is the key to preventing bites.
