Safety Tips For Children Regarding Dogs

Here are some safety tips to teach your children about dogs:

Make sure you always ask if you can pet someone's dog. Some dogs are afraid of children, some dogs are ill, and some dogs are being trained.

Never approach a dog from behind. You should always approach from the front or side.

Don't surprise or startle a dog, don't corner them, don't wave your hands around, and don't scream at them.

Dogs can be very defensive around their food or water bowls, don't approach a dog while they are eating or drinking.

Teach children to read some basic body language from dogs: if a dog is barking, growling, or showing their teeth, stay away; avoid contact if the dogs' ear are back, tail is up, or if the hair on their back is standing up.

Dogs are territorial, respect their space. Never put your hand inside an open window to touch a dog you don't know, don't reach through a crate that a dog is in. Some dogs feel threatened by this and react to protect themselves and their territory.