Kids And Dog Safety

Education is the best way to keep kids safe around dogs.

In order to keep our kids safe we need to be educated in dog behaviour. Dogs are social animals, but are dogs, not humans. Therefore they communicate quite differently. There are things we can watch for and be aware of to eliminate dangerous situations from arising like dog bites.

Teach kids:

It is hard for people to accept that dogs do not like hugs and kisses. Yes some dogs will tolerate this affection, but direct contact from kids with the dogs face and neck are some of the most common causes of dog bites. We hear this all the time from some of the top animal behaviourists, veterinarians and trainers. In order to prevent this we can teach kids to scratch the dog on the chest, side of the neck, or ask the dog to sit politely and give it a treat.
In collaboration with doggonesafe.com, Good Doggy! supports the Be a Tree Program. This teaches children to stand still with a strange dog or a family dog that gets too excited. A tree is boring and the dog will lose interest.
As parents we need to watch our kids closely and supervise. Never encourage teasing. Instill in your children that when a dog is in their crate, on their dog bed or sleeping they want to be left alone. A dog, chewing a bone is focused and protective, leave them alone! This is not the appropriate time to approach a dog. This applies to all dogs: puppies, well trained dogs and unknown dogs. It doesn’t matter if you have owned your dog for 1 year or 14 years. The same rules apply.

Cartoon teaches children and adults how to be safe around dogs.

Here is a great video developed by Scottie of K9 Ponderosa, to help educate kids on appropriate behaviour around dogs in order to prevent unnecessary and avoidable dog bites.

In The Lessons of Chief Pondy: Scottie & Oreo, Grandpa Bill’s dog, Oreo, has run away. So Scottie, his friend, Skates, and his bored big sister, Julie, must journey to find Oreo and rescue him before it’s too late. Along the way, the kids learn to be safe around dogs with the lessons and guidance of the wise Chief Pondy.