|
Woman's Networking
Community
The WNC email group is a free
to join group for Women in business interested in Networking and
Cooperative marketing ideas. If you're a women in business please join
us.
Welcome to the Pet Channel.
Here you will find idea for keeping
your pets healthy, Pampering the, training and safety tips and more.
Visit WNC Magazine Blog Pets to read more.
The following article is submitted by a
WNC Member:
May I pet your dog?
Education is the key to empowering children in a variety of situations
to make smart and safer choices. This is true when it comes to dogs. I
hear parents giving advise to ask the stranger holding the dog, “May I
pet your dog?” We also teach to ask “Is your dog friendly?” Is this the
safe advice? Why is it we tell our kids not to talk to strangers but we
some how trust the strangers with dogs to be honest about their dogs
friendliness and behavior?
This is a very risky. As a canine behavior consultant I can tell you
that many dog parents do NOT like to share their dog’s fiesty behavior
record. It is with this in mind that I suggest and recommend that
parents and children become familiar with canine body language so that
they can take the full situation into consideration. Here are some
things to consider.
1. Are there other dogs in the area?
2. Is it a crowded noisy environment?
3. Are you confident that this person would tell you if their furry baby
has a bite history?
4. Is the dog listening to the handler?
5. Is the dog interested in interacting
A. Is it hot?
B. Is the dog tired?
C. Is he fearful?
6. Are there many children wanting to pet the dog all at once?
7. Is your child wound up and really excited?
8. Is your child eye level with the dog?
9. Does your child have food on their hands, face, or clothing?
10. Is the dog showing fear?
A. tucking tail
B. turning its head away, licking lips.
C. cowering, growling or shaking
D. Hiding behind handler
E. Yawning?
Any of these alone or combined may indicate that the dog is experiencing
stress in this situation. Consider the dogs total posture and the
environment when making a decision to approach or not.
These are just some of the things that need to be taken into
consideration before parents allow their children to meet an unfamiliar
and even familiar dog. The key to setting kids up for success with our
canine friends is providing education that will help them to recognize a
safe and unsafe situation.
For more information on dog bite statistics and prevention visit
www.familypaws.com
|
