There's nothing cuter than watching your children engage in play with man's best friend. Unfortunately, it's not always fun and games with your four-legged friends. There are an estimated 1 to 2 million dog bites every year. At the end of the day, animals are still animals, so you want to teach your children safety first. Although there are never any guarantees, there are definitely precautions you can take to protect your kids from becoming a statistic. For starters, let your children know it's never OK to approach a dog that is by itself. Do not run toward a dog. If your child wants to see a dog, he should first ask the owner and then approach the dog slowly. Allow the dog to sniff the child's hand. Explain to your child that he or she should never stick his or her face into a dog's, regardless of whose animal it is.
Tell your child it is never OK to hit, smack, kick or pull on a dog. If a dog is acting in an aggressive manner, avoid eye contact and move away from the dog slowly. Your children should know it's never a good idea to go near a dog that is in the middle of eating. He should wait until the animal is finished with its meal. Many dogs can be extremely possessive of their food. Always supervise your children around animals. Let your children know it's never right to poke animals in the eye or get near their eyes. Children should also be taught the difference between a domestic pet and service dogs.