The Sunshine Coast Council runs a free service called Smart Paws Pet Awareness, where a team travels to schools or kindies and teaches children about responsible pet ownership and how to be safe around dogs they know and dogs they do not know. Dog bite prevention is the main aim of the program.

We met Hannah, Kurt, Heidi, and the four-legged, very lovable and well-behaved Mac. All three classes came together for this talk and listened very well. There were some very good questions from the children. 

After the team talked about the process of patting an unfamiliar dog, one child from each class was chosen to demonstrate how to do this safely. Perhaps give your child a quiz to see if they picked up the steps? Here is what we were taught: Children are to ask permission from their parent or carer if they can pat the dog, then ask the owner if they can pat their dog. They are to stand still and wait until the dog comes to them (and be prepared that the dog may not want to come to them). The children learned not to be noisy, not to hug or pat on top of the dog’s head, but to stroke its side or back or under their chin. 

For all the photos please click HERE

Heather Dodwell, Prep Team Leader