How to Make Your Child Dog Friendly?

The Fall is a busy time of year for many and there are many new and exciting things happening around your nieghbourhood including new puppies. Puppies seem harmless but puppies love to nip, chew, and even chase small children all of which could seen as fun or quite frightening for a child. Parents should be aware that some dogs perceive direct eye contact as a threatening behaviour. Why is this important? Parents need to be keenly aware that this might present a problem as many children eyes are at eye level with a dog. As an adult supervising your child’s activity you will want to be close enough all of them to intervene if a problem arises.

The interaction between a child and a strange dog can be an endearing. These interactions can potentially inspire a child to desire making a dog a part of their family someday when they grow up. By taking simple precautions, everyone can end up with a smile on their face and enjoy the experience -child, parent, dog, and dog owner. Here are some simple tips for parents for a child approaches a dog and their owner:
1) Ask the dog’s owner if their dog is friendly and can the child pet their dog
2) Offer a back hand fist or hand out with fingers down
3) Let the dog approach the child to sniff
4) Pet a dog gently reaching from the side, not over its head
5) Ask the dog’s owner if you and your child can offer their dog a treat, as dogs remember those who reward them
6) Ensure that your child refrains from screaming, yelling, running around a stranger's dog