Q&A with Debby Lucken – Founder of Kids Around Dogs®

Meet Debby Lucken, founder of Kids Around Dogs® – an association of dog training and childcare professionals dedicated to helping children and dogs build safe, trusting relationships and live well together.

In this Q&A, Debby shares what inspired her to start Kids Around Dogs®, offers practical advice for keeping children and dogs safe at events, and reflects on the value of spending time in nature.

What inspired you to create Kids Around Dogs®?

Many things contributed to the decision to create Kids Around Dogs® (KAD); however, the most powerful one was probably my daughter. When she started pre-school, we started inviting kids over for playdates, and I noticed just how many kids were either terrified of dogs or overconfident around them. I soon realised there was nothing in the UK to help and educate kids like them, so after a lot of thinking, studying and designing a successful protocol to help kids who are scared of dogs to overcome their fear, I founded KAD.

How do you balance dog welfare and children’s safety?

Dog welfare and children’s safety are best of friends! When a dog is happy, all her needs are met, and she is given the respect and understanding needed. Everything is well, and this keeps the kids safe. This, however, comes from educating children about what the dog’s needs are and making sure, under active supervision, that they are taken care of.

Is it important that children have an understanding of canine body language?

I firmly believe that if we understand what our dogs are trying to tell us, we could prevent many dog-related injuries from happening. Dogs talk to us all the time. They tell us when they are happy, when they are hungry, but also when they are sad, worried, or scared. When a dog is in a difficult situation and asks for help, we ought to know, so that we can stop what’s causing them stress and get them to safety. If we don’t, the dog might think she has to deal with the problem by herself, and she might handle it in a way that humans don’t like.

How can children and dogs benefit from spending time together in nature?

I think nature is so overlooked these days – parents are busier than ever, and kids are on their devices much more than ever before. Having a dog is a great motivator and excuse to get out of the house and explore nature, whether it’s the park, the beach, or a forest. Some days, you might just go for a walk around the block, but it is still better than nothing. Dogs are incredibly helpful with that! Not to mention that being in nature and doing some exercise is extremely beneficial for our mental health – I find that it is often during dog walks that the best and most honest chats happen.

What advice would you give somebody attending an event, like Dogs’ Day Out, with their dog and child?

I love dog-related events! I love to see how proud people are of their dogs; it’s beautiful. However, I would like for people to be a bit more mindful of a few things:

• Weather: most events are in the summer, as the weather is generally nicer, but it can get too hot. If that’s the case, it is best to either just turn up first thing in the morning and leave as the sun starts to get warmer. This is not just about the welfare of dogs, but kids too! Heatstroke can happen to humans, too.
• Safety: keep your dog on the lead at all times – I recommend a standard, fixed-length lead as these are easier to manage and safer than flexi leads. I also avoid slip leads and head collars as they are painful for dogs if they pull. Keep your kids with you at all times, too! When my daughter was little, she had her own harness and lead, as she loved to explore and would wander off. It wasn’t worth the risk, so she had a lead too.
• Not all dogs and kids are the same: some dogs and some kids love to be around people, love public events, the smells, the noises, the chaos. However, a lot of kids and a lot of dogs have sensory processing issues and crowded places, lots of different smells, loud areas, and unknown locations can be extremely stressful and even painful for them. If your child, or your dog, has this problem, then it is best to skip these kinds of events altogether, but they can always be recommended to fellow dog-lovers who might enjoy them.

If you are already at the event when your dog and/or your child are distressed by it all, respect that and leave. Take them somewhere calmer, where they can decompress.