Prevent Dog Bites:
Greeting dogs safely by becoming a tree
I love dogs, they bring joy and unlimited goofiness into our lives. Living with any animal carries risks, and children are especially prone to getting bit. Most of the time, it’s not a strange dog, but one they know, which is why it’s so important to not only supervise our children around our dogs, but also to teach kids how to be safe around them. Dog Bite Prevention week falls in April, so it’s a good time to remind everyone how to be safe around dogs.
Teaching your children to Be A Tree is one of the best ways to help calm a dog down as well as to keep kids safe. It’s pretty simple: Instead of running or making a lot of noise, stand tall, fold in your branches (arms), and watch your roots grow.
You can also be a tree when you greet! After asking the dog’s handler if they may pet the dog, stand tall, fold one branch (arm) inward like before, let one branch out with their palm facing them, just like the drawing. If the dog decides to say hi, like Izzy is doing, then they can pet with an open palm along the dog’s back or chest. I like to give 3-4 long pets before folding in my branches to make sure the dog is still okay with being pet. Practicing with your family dog is a fantastic way to show kids an enthusiastic “yes”, since they’re already familiar with them.
Knowing Dog Body Language is Important for Everyone
The more we understand what our dog is saying, the easier it is to keep ourselves safe. The best way to prevent dog bites is to give fearful or anxious dogs plenty of space. Biting is a last resort for dogs to get the space they desperately need. The sooner we recognize signs of stress, the faster our dog calms down and learns that kids are just as fun (if not more) than adults.
Artist Lili Chin has several posters that go into depth about body language, in addition to her beautiful book, Doggie Language.
(Artist: Amy White) This child is greeting Izzy politely by letting her come up to him.
This adorable Let’s Play from Daja Kid’s Games will teach your child how to safely greet dogs and learn a little about body language