The Love between dogs and kids is usually unquestionable. Let’s be real, 99% of the time, it’s LOVE at first sight.
Still, sometimes accidents might happen.
That’s because neither one was taught how to interact with the other. A lot of dog bites could be prevented by learning about dog safety.
That’s why we are giving you our children and dog safety guide.
Some kids are afraid of dogs, and sometimes it’s the other way around.
It could happen for many reasons. It may occur if the dog is too large, so the kid gets anxious.
Sometimes the dog gets surprised by the child’s advance.
The “approach problem” usually occurs when the child doesn’t have a pet of their own, so it treats the dog as a toy.
Dogs rarely react well to that, and that’s when problems appear.
So, WHAT IS DOG SAFETY?
It all begins with your pet’s body language and making sure you read it.
How to Read The Body Language of a Dog
Most of us know that when a dog is wagging his tail, that means he is happy, cheerful, and ready to play, right? What happens when a dog doesn’t want to play?
Well, if your dog is looking away, or possibly yawning, that means he doesn’t want to be disturbed. You should probably leave him alone for a bit. Let him rest.
And the complete opposite of a dog being playful is him standing tall and stiff.
In that position, he is watching your every move and assessing the situation.
Make sure to be careful. Of course, if a dog is showing you his teeth, STAY AWAY!
That means playtime is over and you should probably step away. It is trying to be dominant and scare you away.
How to Approach a New Dog
Most dogs are good-natured the majority of the time, but there are certain situations when you shouldn’t bother them.
Sleeping, eating, and playing with a toy is where most dogs draw the line when it comes to interacting with humans.
Check on that before you let your kid approach a dog.
And whatever the circumstances are, you shouldn’t leave your kid unsupervised around a new dog.
Dogs are sensitive to scent. That is the first thing they should learn about you.
When you are trying to approach a new dog, close your fist and let the dog smell your hand.
After he approves of your smell, you may start petting.
How To Behave If a Hostile Dog Approaches
The tree routine is the first thing you should know when dealing with a hostile dog.
If a strange dog quickly approaches you, make sure to stand tall, look down, and put your arms next to your body. Most people start running.
That is their first mistake.
NEVER do this!
This is when the dog starts chasing and accidents occur.
On the other hand, if you are standing still, the dog will lose interest and walk away. He will stop considering you as a threat.
These are the first things you should know about children and dog safety.
Children and Dog Safety
Children and animals sure do love each other.
However, at the same time, kids can be afraid of animals as well. Especially in cases where the size difference between animals and kids is immense, children can be terrified of dogs.
Even when you have a dog that is very well behaved and does not harm human beings, there are some dos and what to avoid being around a dog.
This article concerns the safety of your children and your dog. This article will also serve as a guide for what to do and not do around your dogs.
Even though there are cases of dog bites, not all such incidents occur because of the dog.
There are numerous cases around the world where the violence was a result of the fact that children do not understand dogs well.
Children can think of dogs as their toys and this can lead to many accidents.
What are some basics of the body language of a dog?
When dogs show their teeth, this is not a friendly gesture.
It is a warning and a threat. Children should know to recognize this sign. When a dog seems alert and cautious, it usually means he is waiting for humans around to move away from it.
It is best to leave the dog to be in such situations. When a dog is wagging his tail, it means he is happy and content. Now is the time to have any interaction you want with the dog.
When a dog is looking in another direction or is yawning, it is a sign he is not interested in interacting with you or in being touched. You should respect the dog and give him space at such times.
How to approach a Dog?
Children should always ask the person who owns the dog for his permission to approach their pet beforehand. Moreover, never leave children alone and unsupervised with a new dog.
Just like humans, dogs need alone time as well, so it is best to leave them alone when they are playing with their toy, are asleep, or are eating. If anyone interrupts them at this time, dogs consider it an invasion of their privacy.
Upon approaching a dog, one should do it very slowly, and with their hands closed, allowing the dog to sniff is also a great idea.
If they seem okay with this, you can reach and try to pat the dog on their chest.
Petting on the head is not a good idea unless you are used to one another and are close.
What is the tree Routine?
Everyone should know about the tree routine.
Every time a new or strange dog comes near you and looks like it is hostile, you should try to stand there with eyes looking down and not doing much movement.
Stand silent with your arms by your sides.
Dogs are more likely to attack and charge if the person in front of them starts screaming or starts running away from the dog.
One should only move when the dog goes away or looks like it is not interested in you anymore.
It is better to have the dog approach and sniff you first so they can be sure you are not a threat to them.
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