Encountering videos depicting young children approaching a sleeping dog's face, climbing on them, pulling their ears or tails, and similar behaviours is a matter of concern. While these videos may gain significant popularity on social media, they inadvertently promote inappropriate conduct and underscore a concerning lack of adult supervision and awareness. It is important to note that some adults may not fully acknowledge that dogs are sentient beings and not mere objects. Paradoxically, these same adults are often the ones who place blame on a dog when it reacts in self-defence.

 

Prioritizing the importance of teaching children to respect dogs should be a fundamental responsibility for all parents, starting from an early age. Just as dogs require training to behave appropriately around humans, children also need education on how to interact with dogs respectfully. This knowledge is valuable whether or not a dog is a part of their daily lives.

Dr. Sophia Yin pointed out that the factors triggering a dog to bite children are often similar to those that lead adults to seek personal space. For instance, people typically find it unpleasant when their food is contaminated by dirty hands. Similarly, dogs prefer to enjoy their meals without disruptions.

 

Every year, approximately 4.5 million individuals experience dog bites, with the majority of victims being children between the ages of five and nine. Regrettably, many of these incidents occur during routine activities, both indoors and outdoors, as young children interact with dogs. Approximately 80 percent of dog bites occur within the home, with hands being the most common bite site for those aged five and above. For children aged four and under, the head and face are the primary areas where bites occur, potentially leading to severe consequences.

 

To instil a sense of respect for dogs in children, it is crucial for adults to set a positive example. Children should always be supervised when in the presence of dogs, without exceptions. They should be instructed not to engage in behaviours such as yelling, running towards, screaming at, or tugging on dogs. Furthermore, they should be educated in gentle conduct, allowing them to understand and interpret a dog's body language. Children must be taught how to pet a dog, where to touch them and most importantly when not to engage with a dog.

Starting from infancy, children should be taught to respect all living creatures, whether they are animals or humans. It should be ingrained in them that certain behaviours are unacceptable when interacting with animals, and "always be gentle" should be a standard principle within the household. Even if there are no pets in the home, children should still be instructed in calm and gentle behaviour. They may encounter an animal someday, whether it's someone else's pet in a controlled environment or a chance encounter with a stranger's dog on the street.

Instructing children in the appropriate and inappropriate ways to interact with animals is one of the most crucial lessons that can be imparted, and it can have far-reaching consequences, extending beyond interactions with dogs alone. Animals are prevalent, and while many are domesticated, this does not automatically guarantee safety, particularly in the presence of children whose behaviour can be unpredictable.

It's natural for children to express affection by engaging in activities like hugging, petting, and playing with dogs. Unfortunately, some children may develop the misconception that all dogs share the same gentle and friendly demeanour as their own pet. This misunderstanding can potentially put them at risk of dog-related incidents because they were never taught when it is inappropriate to approach a dog.

 

When children and dogs share their lives and explore the world together, they can create wonderful memories. However, maintaining a household with multiple species requires educating everyone on safe and appropriate interactions. Every dog, no matter how well-behaved, deserves autonomy and respect. It is the responsibility of adults to instruct children on how to interact with dogs safely, ensuring a safe coexistence.

 

This may be one of the most important lessons you will ever teach your child.

Always be Gentle

Many parents may not always pay sufficient attention to how their children interact or play with the family dog. Teaching children gentleness is a valuable skill that extends beyond their interactions with animals.

When your child approaches a dog, demonstrate how to pet the animal gently in a calm and friendly manner. Encourage them not to pull on the animal's ears or fur but to stroke the animal slowly. It's important to supervise these interactions, ensuring that the child does not squeeze or twist the fur and understands that a tail is not a handle or toy to be held. If your child tends to be heavy-handed, consider using a stuffed animal as a practice tool before introducing them to a real dog. Remember that a dog's tolerance may not align with your expectations, and a grabbing hand could lead to an unfavourable response.

 

The Right Approach

Teaching children the right approach to dogs is crucial from a young age. Here's the proper way to approach a dog:

- Approach the dog's owner first and always ask for permission. The owner knows their dog best, and their presence can help ensure the dog remains calm and comfortable.

- Say "hello" only after permission is granted.

- Approach the dog slowly, avoiding any sudden movements or running towards them. This includes time when riding a bike or running around with friends.

- Keep your hands down allowing the dog to sniff you and determine how close they want to get. There is no need to stick your hand into the dog's face!

Many dogs enjoy attention, but the initial moments of a new meeting are critical. A correct approach will likely result in the dog approaching you for affection and interaction.

 

Fear of Dogs

It's important not to raise your children with a fear of all dogs, even if you have such concerns yourself.

Teaching a child to be fearful can lead to reactions that may exacerbate a situation with a strange dog. Instead, encourage them to respect dogs and all other animals and to avoid running away from them.

 

Meeting A Strange Dog With No Owners Present

Maintaining composure in these moments is of utmost importance. It's crucial not to act on immediate instincts, which may lead to the urge to scream and run. Instead, employ a loud, firm voice to instruct the dog to "go home." If the dog does not comply, remain calm.

Take note of the dog's behaviour. Is the dog simply observing you with curiosity, exhibiting signs like perked ears, a wagging tail, and a relaxed posture? If so, calmly walk away. Once again, avoid running. However, if the dog assumes a threatening stance, with ears laid back along its head, a tense body, and a raised tail (which may or may not be wagging slowly), this indicates a potentially aggressive posture. In this case, firmly instruct the dog to "go lay down," without raising your voice or screaming. Any sudden movement on your part may trigger an attack. Begin to walk away slowly, making no sudden gestures.

If the dog starts advancing toward you and lunges, drop into a "turtle" position, cover your head (face and ears) and call for assistance. Parents, if you encounter your child in this situation, take whatever measures are necessary to separate the child from the dog.

 

Never Ever Run Away From A Dog

Fleeing from a dog will typically trigger a "prey" response, causing a dog that might have initially been content to observe you to suddenly give chase. Even a dog whose primary intent is to "play" can lead to severe consequences when they perceive the fleeing individual as prey and catch up to them.

 

Never Approach a Dog When He is Eating

Parents, this should be considered common knowledge, and it's important to teach every child, regardless of whether there are pets in the household.

Dog owners, if your dog exhibits food protectiveness, it's essential to invest the time in training to address this behaviour. While it may seem minor at first, as your dog matures, you might come to regret not having taken the time to teach them better manners.

 

Parents Never Leave Your Young Child Unattended With a Dog!

Accidents happen in the blink of an eye, and even the gentlest family dog will bite if he is in pain, or if he has just "had enough."

 

Teach your child that dogs can be dangerous and aggressive

It might not be the most enjoyable topic, but it's crucial for your child to grasp that any dog, whether big or small, has the potential to bite.

There's no necessity to delve into graphic details or terrify your child with alarming stories about dogs. However, it's important to have an age-appropriate conversation with your child, explaining that not all dogs are necessarily friendly and that dogs that are scared or prefer not to be bothered might resort to biting.

You should emphasize to your child that this is why it's essential to treat dogs with respect at all times.