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Many kids instinctively run to a dog they don’t know with outstretched arms, but it’s important to teach kids to approach unknown animals with caution and respect.
Children should never put their hands in a dog’s face, as that may scare the dog and cause it to react poorly. Teach children to ask the owner’s permission first. Then, if the owner approves, they should stand still, look down, pat their leg and say something like “Hi, puppy.”
This allows a dog to choose to greet the child or walk away. It also teaches a child to respect an animal’s space.
– Meagan Montmeny, SPCA Tampa Bay