Let’s be honest; we all love dogs! We usually feel a surge of emotions whenever we see an adorable dog walking past us. Even adults experience a natural urge to go and pet them and be greeted by playful eyes and wagging tails. In such a scenario, we can’t blame a kid if they want to wrap their arms around the next dog they come across at the park. But just like humans, dogs might not always like being touched by strangers. It’s always better to be safe than sorry to prevent your worst nightmares from coming true. Today, we will share some tips on educating your little ones to be safe, especially in the company of a four-legged canine.

• When you see a dog roaming around, it is most likely accompanied by an owner. Before petting the dog, it is always safe to inquire about its temperament from the owner. If the owner doesn’t accept your kid’s proposal of petting the pooches, children should respect the decision.
• Before getting all touchy with the dog, the canines should get familiar with your little ones. Once the dog owner approves that they pet the pooches, children should let them sniff and take their scent.
• If a stray dog becomes too friendly or starts following your child around, the dog might stay still rather than run away. Making such sudden movements might further lure the dog’s attention and cause it to stick its jaws into the children’s limbs. Children should also avoid looking an unfamiliar dog in the eye, as this behavior further agitates them. Instead, they should stand their ground before backing up slowly.
• In the worst-case scenario, if a dog tries biting, children should try to use whatever they can find handy to increase the distance between them and the dog. It’s easy for a big dog to know over a small child. In such a backdrop, they should try rolling into a ball and lying still with their faces covered. Doing this will help prevent the dog from attacking more sensitive spots like the face.
• Children should always be gentle when petting a dog with the owner’s permission. They should never jump or fall on them. The same rule also applies when holding them. An extremely tight grip might trigger certain dogs to retaliate. The ears and tails are highly sensitive areas of a dog’s body. Children should consider this and never tease a dog by tagging at their sensitive spots. 
• We don’t like being bothered while sleeping, eating, or caring for our babies. The same also holds for dogs, who don’t like being disturbed during these vital moments. Children should learn to respect the boundaries of canines to prevent mishaps.

Conclusion

Despite all precautions, accidents might happen. Even the friendliest dog breeds, like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, might snap if they get angry, frightened, or hungry. If your little munchkin ever sustains injuries from a dog bite, then the dog owner can be held liable under a personal injury lawsuit. A legal professional like Ace Law Group can help you with the process by gathering all evidence, talking to witnesses, and negotiating with the insurance companies on your behalf.

Written by Spencer Calvert