Delta Society Australia - What a Child Should Do

  Ask the adult with you first
  Ask the dog owner next
  Ask the dog as well by.....
  Standing quietly next to the dog
  Placing your hand out near the dog, curl your fingers and allow the dog to sniff
  Waiting to see if the dog wants to be patted and comes to you
  If it’s OK then just a tickle under the chin or on the chest is most welcome
  Do not pat a dog on its head. It may not like it
Do not stare at the dog

  Lifts its lips
  Growls
  Backs away
  Raises the hair on its back

  Stand still. Be absolutely quiet
  Hug yourself - tuck your fingers under your armpits
  Look away from the dog
Wait for the dog to go away
Tell a responsible adult

If you are knocked down by an unleashed unknown dog

  Curl your body up like a snail to hide from the dog
  Stay quiet
Wait for the dog to go away
  Tell a responsible adult

Teach and model the DELTA DOG SAFE messages to your child as you would road safety

It is estimated that each year more than 100,000 Australians are bitten by dogs with varying degrees of severity. 12,000 to 14,000 seek treatment in the Accident Emergency Departments of the nation’s public hospitals and an estimated 1,400 of those patients have injuries that are serious enough to warrant hospitalisation

Two thirds of all bites involve the family or neighbour’s dog and 60% of them occur in younger children and because they are ‘little people’ many of these bites are to the head and neck

Most dog bites occur because neither adults nor children have been educated about appropriate behaviour around dogs. A dog in the family is a wonderful source of companionship and fun. The benefits of positive interaction between people and their pets have been well documented. But there are some very important messages about canine behaviour that are simply not being provided to dog owners

The Delta Dog Safe™ strategy teaches practical, proactive and dog friendly ways in which families and communities can significantly reduce the incidence of dog bites, particularly in young children

Constantly supervise and manage children and dogs. Many children get bitten by trusted family or neighbours' dogs and while there is no 'safe period' during childhood and adolescence, the highest risk age group in Australia is under ten years of age, with severe bites occurring to the head and neck
Create supervised activities that can be safely initiated between children and dogs where appropriate, such as training, tricks or calm games
Be aware that children raised with tolerant and friendly dogs may be at risk with other dogs
Never leave a child under seven unattended with any dog

Learn to interpret dogs so you can judge a dog's behaviour when interacting with a child and
heed any early warnings
Consistently identify and discuss dog body language with the child. Explain situations in which it would be inappropriate to approach a dog and other situations where it would be friendly and safe

Not to tease, hurt or interact roughly or excitedly with any dogs
To interpret and respect dogs How to interact appropriately with friendly dogs and ignore others
How to behave if they feel threatened by a loose dog
To inform adults if they feel threatened by a dog

Children observe and model adult behaviour so it is vital that adults interact appropriately with dogs in a manner that children can copy

  Be aware that all dogs' tolerance may reduce with age, pain, stress, high excitement levels, specific situations and constant exposure to children
  Create secure areas to isolate your dog from children for occasions when supervision is not viable
  Seek professional assistance if you are at all concerned

If you are buying a puppy from a breeder

Choose a breed which suits your family lifestyle and environment
  Choose the puppy which behaves as you would like the adult to behave
  Avoid pushy or fearful puppies, go for the relaxed friendly one
  Always try to see and interact with both parents of the puppy if possible

Ask about its temperament or its parents' temperaments
If they can't tell you then go elsewhere.

Make the time to train your dog and teach your child safe, kind and sensible behaviour with the dog

Children need to recognize and respect a dog's feelings. A dog might be sleepy, angry, sick, frightened and may not want contact. It might not want to be interrupted because it is eating or playing with a favourite toy

An angry dog will stand up straight, prick its ears, look at you, straighten its tail, might growl, lift its lip or bark A frightened dog will cower, look away, put its head down, raise its hackles (hair on the back of the neck)