28.11.2016

Safety for kids and adults around dogs

A discussion was had with me today around dog safety information. Essentially it was believed that all in the dog training/behaviour field would be advising the same approach with interaction and associated safety around dogs.
As with anything though, there are many and varied ‘tidbits’ of information out there being handed out and personally I do not feel all are responsible.
Below are some of Dogs Best Friend’s Dog Safety Notes -
When choosing to interact with a dog it is best to do so in an open rather than a confined area and as part of this it is best to not approach a dog on a lead. The dog cannot get away if he/she wants to and if it cannot ‘flee’ it may ‘fight’ as a response to a perceived threat.
Keep your height when normal interaction is taking place.
Do not turn your back on an unfamiliar dog if it is loose.
Stand still and allow the dog to sniff you first.
DO NOT OFFER THE BACK OF YOUR HAND as you don’t know the dog’s past - it could have been hit with the back of a hand.
Simply keep hands in front of you, close to your body.
Do not stare at the dog, look to a point off to the side.
If the dog withdraws or try’s to hide behind their ‘owners’, ignore them, don’t go after them, following them.
A dog that accepts you will usually push its head up under your hand for a pat, WAIT FOR THIS SIGN.
Pat the unfamiliar dog around the shoulders, (this is neither a submissive nor threatening area) NOT ON THE HEAD (threatening/intimidating).
Do not hunch over the dog or get up in its face.