Teaching kids about staying calm around strange dogs

Staying calm when we are frightened or stressed can be a challenge for anyone, let alone a small child. It’s easy to allow a frightening situation to feel overwhelming. The main goal of the SAFE Dog Bite Prevention Program is to help keep children from panicking, running, or screaming around a dog they don’t know. Children should also have a plan if they are in a situation where an adult is not present and an unknown dog approaches them.

SAFE offers four simple body language cues that can not only keep a child calm, but can also send non-threatening body language to a dog. The program includes a free kid’s eBook that highlights all the elements of SAFE in a fun, interactive format.

Practicing SAFE with your child can help open up a conversation about the importance of not approaching or interacting with any dog without active adult supervision.

Download our free SAFE Kid’s Guide to Dog Bite Prevention, along with coloring pages, an infographic and more.