As a whole most children love dogs and they want to touch and pet every single one they see. Most of the time this is not a good idea unless the animal belongs to the family or a family friend, but even then the chance that something can happen is still present. Even the mellowest pet can turn and bite someone for any number of reasons and for this reason parents should always be vigilant when their children are around all animals.
Every dog has the hunting instinct in them to some degree and smaller children can stir that hunter prey instinct that they have deep inside of them. For children to be safe around all dogs whether they belong to the family or those just at the park they need to learn how to behave around them to not aggravate their hunting instincts. Children should be taught:
1. Never to stare at a dog
2. A quiet dog does not mean that they are friendly
3. Never run away from a dog, even if it is attacking
4. If knocked down curl up and cover their head
5. Never scream at or taunt a dog even if is behind a fence
6. Never pull or tug on the dogs hair or tail
As parents we need to understand that dogs are only behaving instinctively and as long as we control the interaction between them and our children things should be fine. Dogs are pack animals and even the family pet sees the family as a pack complete with a pecking order that must be followed. Any deviation can result in a confused or frightened animal that can lash out and hurt someone. Pets can be a wonderful thing and give a child a lot of love, which kids can return back to them.
Hope this helps!
Julia Howard
www.anberalertgps.com
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