Helping Children Be Safe Around Dogs

We have had a dog in our family for all the years our kids were growing up. From our mongrel Trixie when our oldest was about 3 all the way up to our purebred Lhasa Apso today, our children and now our grandchildren have grown up around dogs.

But for many families, dogs are not a part of their lives, and children often find themselves in a risky situation with a dog they don't know or understand. So, as a father, what can you do to help your children be safe around dogs that are in homes where your children visit.

Learn about the dog first. As you arrive at a home with your child where there is a dog, find out right away from the owner about the dog's temperament and personality. If a dog is well trained and well supervised, there is usually a very small risk of danger with a strange child. Ask what the dog responds well to and what he does not.

Teach your children some dog safety rules. For example, children should always wait for a dog to approach them rather than approaching the dog. Dogs that are protecting something like a toy or a food dish should be left alone. Children should always walk when around a dog and not jump or run until the dog is known better.

Supervise or separate. At all times, your child should be supervised by an adult when around a strange dog. If that is not possible, the dog needs to be crated or otherwise separated from your child. It is just not an option for your child to be around the dog without adult supervision.

Watch for body language. Dogs usually communicate with us through their body language. If you and your child know the common signs, you can react appropriately. Dog expert Colleen Pelar shares these signals and interprets them.

• Lip licking. When a dog is a little anxious, he will often quickly stick out his tongue and lick his lips. It’s usually just a fast, little flick.
• Yawning. This is a signal that is often mistread. The dog is surrounded by kids, and he lets out a big yawn. Isn’t that sweet? Nope, it’s a sign that he’s in a little over his head and would appreciate your help.
• Turning face away. Often owners think a dog turning away from them is “blowing them off” and they intensify their demands on him, which is exactly what the dog was trying to avoid.
• Shaking off. We’ve all seen dogs shake off when they are wet, but this happens at other times too. I liken it to a reset button on a video game. Time to shake off and start over. It will happen right after something makes the dog uncomfortable, usually as he’s walking away.
• Freezing. Watch out! Freezing is one step beyond a calming signal; it’s often a last-ditch attempt to tell you to back off. Dogs typically freeze right before they snap or bite. That may sound obvious, but one of the scariest things I ever saw was when an owner told me that, "Lucy loves to have kids hug her. Look how still she is." It was a heart-stopping moment for me. Lucy, thank goodness, did not bite, but she was definitely not enjoying the experience.

Help the kids show dogs respect. It is okay to pet and touch dogs, but not to hit them, pull on their fur or otherwise harm them. They should also avoid hugging a dog or getting their face too close to the dog's snout. They should speak in soft tones and not surprise the dog. Some simple manners and emphasis on kindness will go a long way toward a positive experience with the dog.

Teach them to "be a tree." Dog trainer Theresa Lewin teaches children to "be a tree" when a dog gets a little overexcited. She suggests that children stand straight up and still, fold their "branches" (hands) in front of them and look down at their "roots" (feet). In this position, a dog will usually calm down and walk away from the "tree." This is a good skill to teach any child who will be around a dog.

A few simple precautions, a little training and some simple courtesy will help make your child's experience with a friend's dog a better and safer experience for all concerned.