Tips For Safety Around Dogs
Your child may be fearful of dogs if she has had a bad experience with a dog or worse, if she has been bitten by one. Dogs can be uncomfortable around children and children can be uncomfortable around dogs. Regardless of which it is, or both, it’s important to know ways to keep your child safe.
As a parent, you can educate yourself and your child with a few tips that will go a long way to keep your child safer in the presence of ‘man’s best friend.’ Here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Understand that dogs react to your attitude. If you run or scream, they often think that you are playing and want to join in. This can be dangerous for small children – dogs are often as big as or larger than the child, which can turn the playful actions of the dog into an injury to the child.
• Make sure that there is always an adult present when children are interacting with their canine friends. Never leave an infant or a young child alone with a dog.
• One hint to a dog’s discomfort around children (and adults) can be found by focusing on the dog’s humans. Humans transmit their attitudes, fears, aggressions, etc. to their dogs.
• If you or your children are interacting with unknown dogs, be especially cautious. It is best never to approach an unfamiliar dog, especially if it is not in the presence of it’s owner.
• Never disturb a dog that is sleeping or eating, no matter how cute it is.
• If an unknown dog does approach you, always let it sniff you beore attempting to pet it or play with it.
• Never look a dog directly in the eye. Dogs often perceive this as a challenge of their authority.
• If you feel like the dog is going to be malicious to you or your child in any way, stand tall and still and try to put something like a bag or bicycle between you and the dog.
• If a dog does knock you over, roll into a ball, cover your face and don’t move. The dog may lose interest and move away, but if not, your face is safe.
These safety tips may help you and your children have many positive experiences with the dogs in your lives.
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I’ve always considered myself pretty comfortable around animals. I’ve owned dogs, cats, a lamb, a squirrel and donkeys-not all at the same time. I’ve also been bitten by a dog while riding my bike and thrown off a horse. (I got back on.) But this list of safety tips around dogs is really useful. This is the first time I’ve seen the advice not to look strange dogs in the eye and the roll in a ball technique. Makes sense. Very nice and informative blog. I’ll pass these on to my favorite 6 year old. Thanks, Mary Lynn
NickJr.com has wonderful advise on how to approach a doggie that a child doesn’t know. My daughter always uses their advise to ask the owner first then approach the dog with permission. (and not being a dog owner, this is very helpful information! just being on a leash and out in the public, doesn’t make a friendly dog!)