Keeping Children Safe and Sound around Dogs
Children and dogs make great companions, but we need to ensure that ALL children are made aware that dogs need to be treated with respect and how to react if they get unwanted attention from a dog
The Kennel Club’s Safe and Sound Scheme has been set up to teach children and adults how they should behave when they are around dogs, the mail elements of the scheme are described below
What to do to stay safe around Dogs:
- Never approach a dog without first asking the owner if you can - if you cannot ask the owner leave the dog alone!
- Keep calm around dogs - do not make any sudden movements or noises
- When given permission to pat a dog, first offer the back of your hand for the dog to sniff, then stroke the dog - starting under the chin - the safe and sound approach
- Keep away from dogs that are eating or sleeping
- Do not touch dogs that are busy, ill or tied up
- Do not eat around dogs
- Do not tease dogs - don't pull their ears or tails
- Only play with a dog when an adult is nearby
- Don't play rough games with dogs - play fetch or similar games instead
- Don't give your dog too many kisses and cuddles - dogs can feel smothered too!
- Don't run away from a dog screaming and waving your arms in the air
- Don't approach a dog with its puppies
- If a dog jumps up at you or if you are frightened by a dog - then "be a tree" stand still drop anything you are carrying and cross your arms across your chest and wait for the dog to go away
- If you are knocked over by a dog - "be a stone" curl up into a ball with your knees feet and head on the ground and cover your head with your arms. Then wait for the dog to go away
Finally, NEVER leave a child unsupervised with a dog!
For more information have a look at the Kennel Club's Save and Sound website
Children why not take the S.A.S. Safety Factor Challenge(with Sashi, the Safe and Sound Hound)
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