Children That are Afraid of Dogs

Monday, 24 September 2007

Do you have any advice for children that are afraid of dogs, and how not to get bitten? Answer: A very good friend of mine Terry Ryan (who is a lady ) who works out of Washington University formed an organization called Prevent-a-Bite. Due to the sad fact that one half of the children in the world will be bitten by a dog before the age of fourteen years, most before the age of nine. The following guidelines have been written by Terry which I support one hundred per cent. Never touch a dog when he is feeding. Don't tease your dog, his ears are not handkerchiefs to pull. If chased by a dog while cycling, get off, place the bike between you and the dog and look away. Avoid packs of dogs, if confronted, don't run away or scream. If meeting a new dog, pat him on the side of the face, under the dogs chin or on the chest. Never place your head above a dogs head. Crouch down and approach on his level. Ask the owner if it is okay to pat their dog. If it is, let the dog sniff your knuckles to show you are a friend. Don't pat dogs in cars, it is a space they consider worth defending. Don't try to separate dogs fighting, go for help. Never approach a dog when it is chained up. Never enter a house unless you have the owners permission.

 

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