How to Teach Children to Greet Dogs Safely

Children love to pet dogs for the most part--and dogs love to be petted for the most part. The following are steps you can take to ensure that your child approaches a dog safely--so that the experience will always be a positive and pleasant one.

Instructions

1. Get permission from the owner. There's always the chance a dog may be aggressive or just not used to children. Tell your child to always get permission before greeting a dog.

2. Offer your hand with your palm facing down for the dog to sniff. If that goes well, allow your child to do the same. Wait for the dog to approach you or your child; don't approach the dog first. If the dog doesn't want to greet you, then just leave it at that.

3. Look at the dog and then look away. Dogs may perceive direct eye contact or staring as a threat. Looking away puts them more at ease.

4. Have your child pet the dog on his back or chest, not on top of the head--and if the dog rolls over--a belly rub will be just fine.

5. Watch for the dog's body language and signs that the dog may be uncomfortable. If the dog appears antsy and not into it, get your child to stop petting and perhaps talk gently to the dog instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not approach a dog from behind.

• Explain to your child to stay calm and quiet and not to scream or make any sudden movements around a strange dog.

• Don't let your child walk right up to a caged dog or a fence with a dog behind it. Being in a cage or behind a fence may make a dog nervous or territorial, which can result in unpredictable behavior such as growling, barking or snapping.

• Never let your child put any fingers through a dog's cage.

• Do not let your child kiss a dog or put their face near a dog's face, unless it's your own dog or a dog that you know and trust.

• Never let your child treat a dog roughly.