Taking the Bite Out of Hello
Oct 2006
By Lane Fisher
Teaching children to approach dogs safely
Jeremiah Muzzy-Chaplin extends his hand so that Jolly Good Fellow can sniff it before Jeremiah pets him.
Every day, kids—including those too young to distinguish between imagination and reality—are pelted with stories and images that suggest that dogs talk, kiss and hug just like we do and that it is perfectly fine, for instance, to ride on a Rottweiler’s back.
But let’s face it: as much as we adore our dogs, they are animals. Dogs have their own social rituals in which sniffing another dog’s bum is polite and making eye contact is not. They rely on body language, guttural tones and teeth to do their “talking” for them.
When the wrong circumstances stack up—perhaps if a youngster rushes to hug a dog or a stranger leans over and brings his face close to the animal—any dog can bite. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 800,000 people each year seek medical attention for dog bites, half of whom are children. Five to 9 year olds have the highest rate of dog bite injuries, and, statistically, boys run a higher risk than girls. Misguided encounters set children up for physical and emotional scars and cause thousands of dogs every year to be “put down.”
It is every adult’s job to show kids how to approach a dog safely and how to behave around a dog. It is also our job as dog lovers, because we are responsible for keeping our pets alive and well. So how should anyone, big or small, greet a dog?
Ask the Owner’s Permission
Always start by asking for the owner’s permission: “May I pet your dog?” Even if you have already met the dog, ask. After all, the dog may not be feeling well today, or maybe she is afraid of hats like the one you are wearing. If the owner isn’t present, then do not approach the dog. Period.
Ask the Dog’s Permission
If the owner consents, then ask for the dog’s permission to approach. The brainchild of Colleen Pelar, author of “Living with Kids and Dogs…Without Losing Your Mind,” this step reminds us that dogs have their own feelings about meeting and greeting.
If the dog is leaning toward you, looking happy and wiggly, that means she would like to “talk” to you. If the dog is leaning or backing away, avoiding eye contact, panting nervously, yawning or licking its nose, then she is uncomfortable and asking you to keep your distance. If the dog stands stiffly, barks, growls or hides behind her owner, the answer is a firm “no.” Do not approach this dog.
Approach the Dog Politely
If the dog’s behavior says “yes,” take care to approach with body language that is unthreatening. Step forward slowly, rather than rushing. If you are with a group of people, just one or two should say hello and then move away before another person comes up, because even confident dogs can be overwhelmed if they are suddenly surrounded.
While moving toward the dog, use good dog manners and turn your face slightly to the side, avoiding direct eye contact. In canine body language, staring is confrontational. Trainer Brenda Aloff says, “When one dog stares at another, the message is, ‘I’m going to kick your butt.’” Looking aside is safer and much more polite.
Before petting a dog, extend your hand, palm down, and allow the dog to take a sniff. Then, after the dog has smelled your hand, scratch where most dogs like it best: on the chest. Belfast Guiding Eyes puppy trainer Pat Webber calls this “the good-dog spot.” The side of the neck is also a good place to pet a dog. Do not try to pat a strange dog on the top of the head; that does not feel soothing and actually can make a dog edgier.
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Children act spontaneously, of course, and need practice to approach a dog deliberately. A parent can pretend to be a dog, cuing a child on the greeting steps and, taking a tip from dog trainers, marking progress with a reward such as animal crackers. Rehearse with pretend dogs until the child is fluid and then guide the child through encounters with lots of real ones.
Dog handlers need to be equally proactive. With my dog, Jolly, I have laid foundations for safety by socializing him around hundreds of kids, beginning when he was a wee, skunky-breathed puppy. When a child is attracted to Jolly or asks if he bites, I respond with my own question: “Do you know the safe way to say hello to a dog?” As I coach the child, the parent adds encouragement and reminders, Jolly wags his entire body and we all have a happy experience.
Lane Fisher offers puppy preschool, pet dog classes and private training in Belfast through Waggle Tails Obedience Training. Call 338-1123 or email lanefisher@gwi net.
