Dogs play a large role in our society, so it’s vital to teach your kids about dog safety!
We love dogs, and as adults, most of us know how to safely interact with them, and as a parent or caregiver, it’s so important to pass this along and teach kids how to behave safely around the family dog, a neighbors dog, or a dog roaming free in the streets.
The amazing thing about dogs is they often provide us clues to better understand their personality and mood, so at The Vet Set in Carroll Gardens, we’d like to help facilitate a better understanding of dogs and teach you and your child how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Learn more about this topic in today’s post.
Teaching Your Child About Dog Safety
Teaching your child about dog safety is crucial because although most dogs are tolerant, fun-loving, and enjoy the attention of kids, some may become irritated and aggressive and potentially lash out.
Help your child discern dog behavior and how to treat dogs with respect. And, as an extra precaution, with younger kids who are still learning about dogs, make sure you’re able to supervise the whole time and provide positive reinforcement about what they did well.
Greeting a Dog
Teaching kids about how to greet a dog is very important, and alternatively, it’s also just as important to teach them not to approach a dog that is off-leash or without an owner.
This is a great way to teach your child how to properly greet a dog.
Always ask the owner first if you can pet the dog.
Permission in this is key — teach your child the boundaries if an owner says “no.” Make sure they understand and respect that wish.
If permission is received, curl your hand up into a fist facing upward and slowly approach the dog.
If the dog has never met you, it’s important to approach them slowly and extend your fist so they can sniff the back of the hand.
Pet the dog after they have sniffed you.
Dogs don’t necessarily recognize someone by sight, but by scent — let them sniff around and get to know you. Once they’re more open pet them under the chin or on their chest — never put your face into or near a dog’s face.
Encountering a Loose Dog
A majority of the time dogs will be on a leash or within a home or yard, but what should your little one do if they encounter a loose dog? If a dog runs towards you off-leash try the following:
- Stand near another object such as a tree or fence.
- Cross your arms across your chest and get as big as possible.
- Don’t make direct eye contact with the dog — look past them.
The Body Language of a Dog
Even when you get explicit consent to pet a dog, it’s still important to be able to read the body language of the dog. They might not mind initial pets, but get bothered after a while and it’s important for kids to pick up on this.
Signs of a happy dog include:
- Wagging tail
- Relaxed mouth and lips
- Relaxed ears
- Smooth coat
A happy dog will be delighted to greet you and may even try and lick you before you ask to pet them — make sure to explain to children how this may change.
Signs of an irritated/aggressive dog include:
- Growling
- Teeth showing
- Tense body
- Hair may be raised on the back of the neck.
- Ears are back
While older kids may be able to pick up on a dog’s body language, for younger kids they may not be able to solely rely on this tactic. Instead, teach your kids acceptable behaviors that dogs may like — gentle and soft pets, instead of squeezing and pulling hard on ears and tails.
Additional Dog Safety Tips
We know it’s important to ask if you can greet a dog and let them learn your scent before you pet them, in addition to knowing the body language of a happy and aggressive dog, but what else can you do to help keep your child protected and avoid a dog bite?
Approach the dog from the front or side.
You never want to surprise or startle a dog, so greeting them from the front or side is ideal. It’s also important to approach them very slowly and speak softly — yelling and running towards a dog could turn an otherwise friendly and happy dog aggressive.
Let a dog eat and sleep in peace.
Eating and sleeping are two places dogs can become aggressive if bothered, so it’s important to teach your child that if they’re eating or sleeping, to leave them alone.
Even trying to pet the dog when they’re eating could trigger to them that you’re trying to take away food, and they could become irritated and act out. It’s also crucial to point out that dogs may also become aggressive with their favorite toy, so don’t remove a bone or a toy away from a dog unless they drop it or give it to you first.
The same is true with a sleeping dog — if you try to wake them before they’re ready, they may become scared and agitated.
Respect a dog’s space.
Dogs are territorial animals, so if you stick your hand in a crate or through a fence, they may try and bite to protect their property.
Teach kids to refrain from riding dogs.
It seems so fun for kids to ride a dog but most dogs do not like this, especially if they don’t know you.
Play with dogs if they want to play.
Sometimes kids just want to laugh, run, and jump with dogs, but dogs may not always be interested. It’s important to reiterate that if a dog wants to play, they will and if they don’t, to leave them alone.
Dogs are mostly friendly, sociable animals that love pets and attention, but it’s important to always teach your child dog safety so they are confident around dogs and know how to approach them when you’re away.
For more dog safety tips, connect with our Carrol Gardens vet office today!