Teaching children how to properly greet dogs

Always ask the dog's owner if it is okay to pet the dog before approaching the dog. Stand
still and let the dog come to the child first. Let the dog sniff the child and watch the dog's body language carefully. If the dog shows any sign that he does not want to be petted, do
not allow the child to pet the dog. If the dog backs up, do not let the child pursue him.

If the dog gives his "okay", have the child hold out their hand close to their body, flat fingered with the palm facing in. The child can also present their hand in a closed fist for the dog to sniff. This protects the fingers in case and dog is frightened and tries to nip. If the dog does not show any aggression, let the child pet the dog. They should pet the dog calmly under the chin. Often children will reach over the dog's head, bend down over it or try to embrace the dog. However, these actions can be interpreted as aggressive, dominance postures by the dog. A threatened dog is not a friendly dog. If you have dogs yourself, make sure your children understand that not all dogs are as friendly as the family pet.

Basic Safety Tips

Here are some basic safety tips that might help reduce the chances of children in your care being bitten or injured by a dog.

Never approach an unfamiliar dog
Always ask the owner's permission before petting a dog
Always approach dogs slowly and carefully
Never run from a dog and scream
Do not make loud noises around dogs
Stay still when an unfamiliar dog comes up to you ("act like a tree")
If a dog knocks you over, roll into a ball and lie still ("be like a log")
Avoid direct eye to eye contact with a dog
Teach children to pat the dog gently, not to pull on the fur, ears or tail or poke at the dog
Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies
Do not pet a dog without letting it see you and sniff you first
Don't let your dog growl at you or other family members
Shy and fearful dogs can be unpredictable
Some dogs don't like being picked up or carried
Never pet a dog that is being held on a tight lease
Don't trust a wagging tail
Do not ever tease a dog
Never reach through a fence to pet a dog
Never put your hand between two dogs
Never try to help a hurt dog; get an adult to help
If you do not have permission, never enter a yard with a dog in it.
If attacked, give the dog a book or backpack to chew on. Cover your head and neck, and protect your face. If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.
Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult

Statistics show that most dog bites causing serious injury involve medium to large sized
dogs and children under the age of five years. The dog is usually known to the child or is
the family pet. The relationship between a child and the dog that considers himself the
family guardian needs to be nurtured and guided. Families can accomplish this by teaching the dog and the child to respect each other. If this can be done, fewer children will be
bitten and fewer dogs euthanized for aggressive behavior. Kids and dogs are a wonderful combination when adults use common sense and put safety first.

For more information on this subject, we suggest the book "Childproofing Your Dog: A
Complete Guide to Preparing Your Dog for the Children in Your Life" by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson. This great and inexpensive book is only 96 pages long and is available through Amazon.com. Here is the exact address:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0446670162/qid%3D964974090/102-751779/002-0402705-4012052