Teaching Children about Dog Safety

Introduction
Not all dogs are friendly. Some are very happy and others just want to be left alone. Dogs have moods just like us - happy, sad, excited, hungry, scared and sleepy. Dogs don't speak our language; they speak dog and it is when we fail to understand them that problems can happen. Once we learn to speak their language and understand what they are telling us, there is a world of safe and happy fun that can be shared.
How Dogs Think and Learn
Dogs don't think like humans do. Dogs live in the now - what happens NOW..not what happened 10 minutes ago or what might happen 10 minutes from now. Dogs remember things that are repeated over and over again - which is how we teach our dogs to sit, stay, and come on command.
Dogs have instincts
Instincts are something that dogs are born with. They tell the dog how to act and react. Some of them are chasing, biting, herding, guarding and self-preservation. Each dog reacts differently to the same situation. Sometimes a dog will want to figh - hold his ground and fight off what he sees as threatening or scary. Sometimes a dog will choose to "flee" - he will run away if at all possible.
Play - Dogs and Children
When dogs play with each other, it looks very rough. There is lots of barking, chasing, wrestling and mouthing. This is how pups learn about each other.

When children play with dogs, they have to be careful to remember that dogs do play rough, can become VERY excited, and can sometimes accidentally hurt the child while playing. Children do NOT have fur covering them for protection. One of the safest games to play with your dog is fetch. Throw a ball, stick, or favorite toy and the dog will run after it, pick it up and bring it back.
HOW SHOULD YOU PET A DOG
You should never pet a strange dog on the head. Although your own dog might like this from you, he knows you and your smell very well. For dogs that don't know you very, very well, petting him on the head is very scary for the dog.

The best place to pet a dog safely is on his neck or shoulder. Always be gentle and move slowly. Fast movements can get a dog to chase you. If a dog pulls away from you, stop petting him. He might not be in the mood and petting a dog should always be nice for both of you.

When you see a dog on a leash, you must always ask the owner if you can pet their dog. If they say yes, offer your fist to the dog for him to smell. Then, if he doesn't act scared, you can pet the dog under his chin, on his neck, or shoulder. Even when you meet a dog again on the street, ALWAYS ask for permission first. You still need to approach the dog slowly and offer your fist for him to smell. Some days, dogs just don't want to be petted.
THE TWO T'S - BE A TREE, BE A TURTLE
If any dog runs right up to you, stand very still. Don't stare at the dog and don't make eye contact. Staring a dog in the eye or at his face is considered a very dominant and/or aggressive act in doggy language. If a dog then decides to attack...you can be a TREE. Keep your arms wrapped around yourself. Pretend you are a tree and stand tall and don't move. The dog may then sniff at you and decide that youa re not interesting. If he turns to leave, wait until he is out of sight and then slowly back away. If the dog jumps at you, you will need to move. Remember, don't run because dogs can outrun you and don't scream because that could scare or excite the dog. This is when you will BE A TURTLE...drop down to your knees and curl up in a ball. Tuck your knees into your chest and touch your chin to your knees. Put your arms around your head and your hands over your neck. Pretend to be a turtle. Start calling for help. By being a turtle, you are making yourself as small as possible. Small things are not as scary to dogs as big things.
NEVER
*Scream or run around dogs; move quietly and calmly.

*Hit, kick, tease or hurt dogs; they have feelings just like you.

*Put your hands in fences or pet strange dogs; ask for permission.

*Go near dogs that are fighting!