DD chased down street by dog. What to do next time?

[vesela]

As we were walking home this evening, we passed a man with a large black dog (I'm not sure what breed) not on a lead. DD (5) shied away and the dog ran at her, barking. She legged it down the street and the dog then turned to me instead, growling, but I shouted at it which got it away. Then it started to chase DD, who was still running down the street. The owner shouted to it to stop, to no avail, and then fortunately he managed to catch it up as it was gaining on her. Since our local police station was just round the corner, I reported an out-of-control dog, but I think the dog had been put in the car by then.

But anyway - what should I tell DD to do in case something like this ever happens again? The answer is, presumably, to stand still/walk away slowly - but just as the dog's predatory instinct was presumably triggered, her instinct to run from a growling dog is pretty strong! The best I can think of is that she shouldn't make a shying away move to start with, since it could have been that that triggered it.

[signet2012]

It all depends I think, on the dog.

Personally I would tell her not to run. Many dogs will take this as a game, or if predator - a chase. Put her arms around herself and turn to the side as to not make eye contact with the dog. Ive also heard to make yourself look as big as possible, at 5 this is going to be very hard to accomplish.

Problem is she is very young and likely to go with her instincts. Stupid owner!
Hope she is ok

[vesela]

Looking at photos, it might have been a rottweiler/labrador cross - I'm pretty sure it was all black.

But we probably won't come across that particular dog again - I think they were from out of town, just parking there. More likely to come across German Shepherds, which are far more common in the country here (we live in the Czech Republic) and Czechoslovak Wolfdogs, which are apparently not hugely dangerous, but in the village we go to a lot there are ongoing problems with a wolfdog that killed a small dog last summer and whose owners are by all accounts useless.

[seeker]

She should try not to run. But did you take the car number? If you did, make a proper, formal complaint. The dog should jot be lowed out not on a lead.

[vesela]

Thanks, signet - sorry, cross-post. Yes, we practised folding her arms in front of her like she does when she doesn't want to do something! But she said she might not remember to.

[vesela]

seeker - I didn't, unfortunately - I ran to catch up with her, so we were a way down the road and a bit shaken to go back. A quick look down the road suggested they weren't there any more, and although I did complain to the police, who took it seriously, I didn't have many facts.

[signet2012]

Its hard when the body is in panic mode. Especially when so young.

Infuriates me that children's experience of dogs can be so negative by somebody elses stupidity.

My dog has been attacked numerous times (as I have told plenty of times throughout the doghouse) I NEVER react like I should sensibly and ALWAYS get hurt as a result. Im 29!

[MousyMouse]

how scary for you. hope your dd is ok.
in my dc's nursery they had a dog-awareness session with a couple of very lovely and well trained dogs.
the dog trainer told the children to cross their arms over their tummy and to turn their back to the dog if they don't want to be approached by it. apparently most dogs just lose interest then.

[vesela]

Thanks - yes, she's fine. She goes through phases of being scared of dogs regardless of size/whether on leads, but straight after this incident we passed a harmless-looking dog not on a lead and she didn't bat an eyelid, so in an odd sort of way it might have made her more aware.

We'll practise the arm-crossing/turning when out sometimes. My nephew's preschool has had dog therapy - I'll try and get the trainer's contact details and see if my DD's preschool would be interested.

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

i think its the Kennel Club who teaches kids to be a tree (arms crossed over chest) or a stone (curl up on ground with arms over head to protect face). Presumably the latter is for attacking dogs as it created a load of fun for my puppy when our 3 y.o. Tried it! the phrase tree or stone certainly stuck though in my kids' heads - they are always telling playdates to be trees if puppy is bouncy.
Sorry it happened though.