Children and dogs.

As a volunteer with Therapy Dogs International, Inc., ACEI member Mary Renck Jalongo has been researching how to help children learn about ways to ensure that they have positive interactions with dogs. She notes that an appropriate place for such information is the traditional unit, theme, or project focusing on pets in the early childhood curriculum. The American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org/press/releases/040516_dog_bite. asp), the American Kennel Club (www.akc.org), and the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (www.nahee.org) have remarkably consistent recommendations about safety around dogs. She has synthesized their recommendations into the following list. Please pass them along to the children in your care or the teachers and parents with whom you work.

Be Safe With Dogs

1. Always ask the owner if it is okay before you touch a strange dog.

2. To make friends, let a dog sniff the back of your hand first, then pet it gently, but not on the face.

3. When you meet a dog, find out about the dog from the owner. If you do things that the dog likes, then it is going to like you.

4. Don't bother dogs while they are eating; they might think you are trying to steal their food.

5. If you give a dog a treat, put it in the palm of your hand. If you hold it in your fingers, the dog might grab at the food and accidentally bite you.

6. Don't hug or squeeze or kiss a dog. It might get scared and bite your face.

7. Never reach inside a fence or car or crate to pet a dog, even a dog you know. Dogs protect their property.

8. If a dog is sleeping, leave it alone. A dog that is scared may jump or bite.

9. Don't try to pet dogs that are tied outside. Dogs that are tied outside can get sad or mad.

10. Never tease dogs. They won't want to be your friend if you are mean to them.

11. Don't take away their toys or play rough games like pulling and chasing. Dogs can get excited and snap at you or knock you down.

12. If a strange dog runs up to you or jumps on you, stand still and be quiet.

13. If a dog chases after you, don't run and scream. Be quiet and stay still. Usually, the dog will go away.

14. If a dog knocks you down, be quiet, cuff up into a ball, and cover your face and neck.

15. If a dog is lost, sick, or hurt, get an adult to help. Dogs that are afraid sometimes bite.

16. Don't bother a momma dog that is taking care of her puppies. If she thinks you are hurting or taking away her puppies, she might bite.