Hello. A while ago on here, I followed a link to the Liam J Perk foundation. It is run by a family who lost their son when he was attacked by the family's dog and the foundation's aim is education and awareness to prevent similar tragedies.
Anyway, one of the main things I read on there was to teach children to stand like a tree if a strange dog approaches them. I taught this to my son, who is 7, very small for his age and was very nervous of other dogs when we walk our puppy.
Yesterday, the two of us were waking dpup and a biggish dog came up to us. It jumped at both of us repeatedly and owner tried but failed to call it back. Not sure if he was aggressive, but it was definitely frightening, I was shaking and he banged me so hard I nearly fell over. DS was terrified but he stood perfectly still "like a tree" and the dog lost interest and left him alone.
I was very proud of my DS, and I just thought it was worth sharing in case it proves useful to anyone else. A few months ago, without that advice, I am certain that DS would have panicked and started flailing around or running and it could have been much worse.
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Keeping children safe from strange dogs
WritingBeagle · 19/04/2015 09:07
to your ds and well done to you for making sure he knew what to do.
My ds's classed watched something on Newsround last week that used the term 'X-factor' instead of 'be a tree' and told the children to stand perfectly still with their arms crossed over their chest. It also advised them to make their hands 'a potato' when extending them for a dog to sniff, after asking the owner and before stroking.
I'm not sure about the 'X-factor' thing, as some sites advise keeping hands low and fingers linked, as raising them up could encourage the dog to jump, especially if they smell of food/sweets etc. My dcs and I discussed this and decided the fingers linked and low option was probably the better of the two, although it might depend on the dog and why it was approaching.
The final position advised is in case a child falls or is sitting down when a dog approaches. It's to 'be a rock' - basically curl up in a tight ball on their front. Again though, I've seen two different types of advice relating to this. The first says to tuck all limbs and hands etc well in, the other said to clamp hands across the back of the neck as this protects the most vulnerable area.
Well done Writing your DS did great. As an owner of 2 nervous, totally none-aggressive rescue dogs I get sick to death of them being lunged at by 'friendly' shouty DC who's parents seem totally oblivious to my dogs' distress and the potential dangers to their own DC if my dogs weren't so tolerant.
I wish all children were so well-parented 
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