Dog bites in the United States send roughly 400,000 children to the doctor every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control, children four years or younger are usually bitten in the head or neck. That is scary enough to make any parent steer the family away from dogs.
But we animal lovers know that bringing the tail-waging, Frisbee-catching, ever-loyal species into a child’s life can be one of the best gifts we give our children. Is there a safe way to do it?
Fortunately, whether your child encounters a friendly dog or not may have as much to do with your child as it does with the animal. Do your kids a favor: teach them how to make a good first impression on canines.
1) Approach the dog and its owner slowly. Children should not attempt to befriend dogs who are not accompanied by their owners.
2) Ask the owner if the dog is friendly. Take his or her word for it.
3) If the dog is friendly, kneel down in front of it. Close your fist with the palm facing down.
4) Slowly extend the fist to the dog’s nose. Dogs get comfortable with a person by learning his or her scent.
5) Once the dog has smelled you, pet it gently on the throat or chest. Mission accomplished.
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