Dogs can be a great companion for young children. They can be playmates and help teach your child responsibility and empathy as they grow up together. While you are probably aware that you need to set appropriate boundaries to protect young children from the dogs in your life, you may not consider that your dog can also be injured by an overly enthusiastic child. Ideally, you will teach a mutual respect between your dog and your child, but during the early years of your child's life, there are several things that you should look out for in order to make sure your pet stays healthy and safe.