Teaching children safety around dogs

amother

Whitewash

Sun, Nov 05 2023, 8:35 am

Letting your kids walk by themselves (at an appropriate age) is important for their independence. Certainly loose dogs once or twice a year as you wrote shouldn't interfere with their independence.

Here is how to act safely around loose dogs:
- Cross your arms in front of you and keep them there: Crossing your arms protects the softer parts of your arms and also part of the front of your body. It also keeps your arms from swinging, so they don't look like an fun toy.
- No eye contact and turn your head away from the dog: Shouldn't look at the dog, no eye contaact, but also don't look in their direction with your eye, or look in their direction with your head.
- Slow down: walk a bit more slowly than before. Running or even walking to quickly or tensely or frantically can either signal to the dog that they should be nervous or that you are trying to play. Doesn't mean they will attack, but slowing down your walk will project more calmness, and take away any fun element of the chase.
- Turn your back/side to the dog: If the dog approaches, keep your arms crossed and turn your side or back to the dog. This keeps the more sensitive parts of your body better protected and also makes your body less interesting if the dog tries to jump in greeting.

Most of the time, dogs don't attack. You can practice having your kids relax their muscles too, as this will keep the dog calm.