The dog is asleep on the rug. Your child walks over for a goodnight hug. You can see the affection behind it, but the dog may experience someone leaning over them, closing their escape and waking them suddenly. This is a moment for the adult to intervene kindly and immediately.
Dogs Trust advises teaching children to respect a dog's space, especially when the dog is resting, and using active supervision and separation. Even a dog who has tolerated many hugs before should not have to prove patience every day. A dog may be in pain, tired or startled, children often cannot read the small signs that come before a growl.
Make a no-touch resting place
Choose a comfortable bed or retreat for the dog and tell everyone in the home what it means: when the dog is there, they are left alone. Guests follow the same rule. Make it somewhere the dog can get to without crossing a child playing on the floor. If a young child cannot reliably follow the rule, use a secure barrier and active adult management. The dog should not have to defend the bed.
Don't make the safe space a punishment. Let the dog choose it on ordinary days and leave undisturbed. A dog who rests near the family can still have a protected spot nearby, the goal is not to isolate them but to provide an exit from handling.
Teach an alternative greeting
When the dog is awake, ask the child to call them from a little distance rather than walking up and hugging. If the dog approaches with a loose body, an adult can guide a brief gentle stroke in a place the dog enjoys. Then pause. Does the dog come back for more or move away? Respect the answer. A dog who turns their head, licks their lips, stiffens or walks off is asking for space.
For a very young child, teaching an entire body-language lesson is not enough. The adult must be close, attentive and ready to separate. If you need to cook, answer the door or leave the room, put a barrier between dog and child. "They are both in the living room" is not active supervision when your attention is elsewhere.
What to say in the moment
Keep it simple: "The dog is resting. We say goodnight from here." Offer the child another task, like putting a toy away or choosing a book. Avoid framing the dog as naughty for needing space or the child as bad for wanting to show love. You are teaching a habit that protects both.
If the dog growls, do not punish the warning. Move the child away calmly and give the dog room. A growl tells you the setup failed before an injury happened. Review where the dog rested, whether the child could reach them and how to prevent the next approach. If there has been snapping, a bite or repeated tension, seek medical care as needed and ask your vet for a qualified behavior referral. Also ask the vet to check for pain if the dog's tolerance has changed.
Common mistakes
Taking a cute photograph while a child hugs a sleeping dog is not worth the risk. Telling a dog to "be nice" while the child crowds them leaves the burden on the animal. Punishing growling may silence a useful warning without fixing the fear. Relying on a young child to remember the rule when no adult is watching is not a safety plan.
Tonight, show the child the dog's rest area and practise saying goodnight from a distance. The dog can choose to come over when they are awake. That choice is the beginning of safer affection. For more on planning child-and-dog spaces, see the dog-and-child household guide, a sleeping dog still needs a protected place to rest
Sources: Dogs Trust, "Dogs and children: living happily together": https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/dog-and-child-safety . Dogs Trust, "Creating a safe space for your dog": https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/creating-safe-space.