Some dogs, when bothered, may discipline children in the same way they would discipline pestering puppies. To avoid this, teach children responsible pack leadership skills and how to recognize the dog’s desire to be left alone at certain times e.g. When the dog is sleeping.

Do not mess with a dog while he is eating. Although the dog should have been taught that you, as the pack leader, are the provider of the food, it is extremely unfair to take food away once it was given to the dog. Some dogs are very food possessive and care should be taken that children don’t even come close to such a dog while he is eating until this problem has been addressed through correct training.

Do not make first contact with a strange dog by approaching it from behind or with your hand above the dog turned down to stroke it’s head. The dog might mistake this posture as being threatening—your hand is in a position as if to hit the dog. Rather approach with an open hand turned upwards from below, avoid any quick movements and allow the dog to sniff your hand first.

Make sure that the dog doesn’t see himself as the pack leader in the family or you might get a nasty (bitten) reprimand for trying to chase him off the couch!

HOW TO DEAL WITH A STRANGE / AGGRESSIVE DOG

If confronted with an aggressive dog—don’t run! This will only trigger the dog’s predatory instinct (ALL dogs, regardless of their size, were born with this instinct) and you will most definitely not outrun the dog.

Don’t scream! A high pitched sound will only excite the dog further, keep your voice as normal (in control) as possible.

Do not make eye contact. Eye contact will be seen by an aggressive dog as a challenge to fight.

Don’t turn your back on such a dog for the simple reason that you don’t know what the dog is up to behind your back. Many dogs such as ‘fear biters’ might attack once a person has turned their back on them. Back away slowly, facing the dog at all times.

If you do fall down during a dog attack, curl yourself into a ball and pretend to be dead. Predators are known to stop attacking when the ‘prey’ is dead.

USE COMMON SENSE

Don’t enter a strange property unless you know that there are no dogs on the property.

If there are dogs, don’t enter unless the owner is present to accompany you.

Do not approach a strange dog on its own property, dogs are territorial and you are the intruder. Dogs (again, regardless of their size) will defend their territory.

Always treat a dog with respect and teach children to do the same!!