• Never go up to a dog unless it is on a lead and with its owner.
• If you see a dog that you would like to say hello to, you need to ask mum or dad whether it is ok to ask.
• Walk quietly towards the dog making sure the owner and dog can see you coming.
• Stop three big steps short of the dog.

Why
When a dog is on a lead it can move three big steps from its owner.
By stopping three big steps away you are making sure the dog can’t reach you.
Remember the owner may say “No”.
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• Always ask the owner if you may say hello to the dog.
• Do not approach until the owner has said, “Yes”.
• If the owner says, “Yes”, walk towards the dog on a curve like a banana or smile.
• Do not walk straight at the dog.

Why
When dogs say hello to each other they approach each other on a curve.
If a dog comes straight at another dog it may think that it is going to attack it.
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• Dogs say hello to each other by smelling.
• To keep your fingers safe, put your thumb across your palm and curl your fingers over the top.
• Bring your hand up from your side so the dog can smell the back of your hand with your fingers curled under.

Why
Dogs have a very strong sense of smell.
They can smell you a long time before your hand gets close.
By bringing your hand close to the dog you can see if they are happy to say hello.
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• Stroke with a relaxed straight arm so that your face is always a long way from the dog’s face.
• Never pat the dog on the head or down the front.
• Always stand up so that your face is away from the dog’s face.

Why
Moving to the side and patting with a straight, relaxed arm keeps your face away from the dog’s face.
Patting the dog down the front or shoulders brings your face close to the dog’s face.
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• Stand still, do not try to run away.
• Dogs can run much faster than you can.
• Do not move even if the dog is growling or touching you.
• Do not move until the dog has gone away.

Why
By doing all these steps at the same time you are telling the dog that you do not want to fight, and you are not a threat to them.
Dogs can run much faster than us and running may make them angrier.
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• If you wave your arms around or try to hit or kick the dog it may get angrier.
• Keep your hands by your side until the dog goes away.

Why
A dog may get angry if you try and hit or kick them, or wave your hands around.
By keeping your hands down by your side you are telling the dog that you are not going to fight or hurt it.

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• Do not scream or shout at the dog.
• Dogs do not like yelling or screaming and it may make them angrier.
• Stay as quiet as you can until the dog goes away.

Why
Loud yells or screams can make the dog angrier.
By staying as quiet as you can you are telling the dog that you are not a threat and don’t want to fight.

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• By looking at the ground you are avoiding looking at the dog’s eyes, but you can still see where it is.
• Do not look at the dog until it has gone away.
• Do not walk towards the dog.
• If it comes back do the four safety steps again.

Why
Dogs do not like to be stared at. Staring says “I don’t like you” or “I want to fight you”.
Keep doing all four steps until the dog goes away.
When the dog leaves slowly back away and don’t forget to tell your parents.

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Why
Dogs really like their food and they may think you are going to take it.
They may growl or even try to bite if you come too close.

What should I do?
Wait until the dog has finished its food and then call the dog to come to you.

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Why
If a dog gets a fright it may growl or bite to protect itself.
If you are asleep and someone wakes you up, you may get a fright.

What should I do?
Quietly call the dog from a distance. When it is ready it will come to you.

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Why
Like all mums and dads, dogs will look after their children.
If they think that you are going to hurt them, they may growl or even bite.

What should I do?
Never go near the puppies.
Ask the owner if it is ok to say hello to the puppies. Let the owner bring the puppy to you.
The owner must be there at all times.

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Why
If you are not well or hurt, you like to be left alone to rest and get better.
If someone was to bother you or touch you where you were sore you may get upset or angry. The same for our dogs.
Remember they cannot say “Please leave me alone”.
They may growl or even bite.

What should I do?
Leave them alone. Wait until they are well.

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Why
We all know that dogs will protect their homes and if you come to close to the fence, they may bark and growl.
Cars and utes are no different.
The dog may seem happy from a distance but if you come too close, they may get angry, telling you to stay away.

What should I do?
Leave them alone.
Remember, “No Owner, No Lead, No Touch!”

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Why
When dogs are scared or unsure, they will either run away or they may get angry.
If they are tied up, they can’t run away so if they are not sure about you coming close and the owner is not there to help them.
The only thing they can do is get angry.

What should I do?
Leave them alone.
Remember, “No Owner, No Lead, No Touch!”

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Why
If you play roughly, the dog may think this is ok and play roughly too.
They may accidentally bite or scratch you.

What should I do?
We should always play gently with our dogs, so they learn to play gently too.
Remember that if you play roughly, they may think its ok to play roughly with your little brother or sister.

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Why
Dogs do not like to be patted on the head.
If you pat too hard it may hurt the dog.
Dogs don’t like hands over their heads and eyes. It can make them feel uncomfortable and scared.

What should I do?
Always stroke them on the back from the collar towards the tail.

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Why
Dogs do not like to be stared at. If a dog continues to stare at another dog it could be seen as a challenge and may end up in a fight.
If you continue to stare at a dog it may think you are challenging it and it may get angry.

What should I do?
Its ok to look at the dog but do not stare directly at it.
It’s always good to talk to the dog too, so that it knows you are friendly.

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Why
If dogs get scared, they will try to run away or get angry to protect themselves.
If you corner a dog so it cannot run away then then it may get angry.

What should I do?
Make sure you do not back a dog into a corner.
Remember that we should always play gently.
If a dog shows signs of being frightened or angry leave them alone.

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Why
Even though we like hugs, dogs don’t.
If you hug them too tight, they may feel trapped and want to get away.
When you hug a dog around the neck you put your face very close to the dog’s face which could be dangerous.

What should I do?
Remember the safe way to pat a dog.
The safe place to pat a dog is on the back from the collar towards the tail.

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How can we tell that it is happy?
The body is relaxed and may show signs of wanting to play.
The dog’s tongue may be hanging out.
The dogs head will be up.
The tail is wagging freely and relaxed.

Is it safe to approach?
Yes, but only if

• the dog is on lead and with its owner.
• You ask permission.
• You follow the safety steps “Stop, Ask, Smell, Pat.

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How can we tell that it is scared?
May try to look smaller by crouching or rolling over onto its back and showing its tummy.
Tail may tuck between its legs or move from side to side low to the ground.
Ears will go back or flat on the head.
Eyes may appear slightly closed and avoiding eye contact.
May extend its tongue in a licking motion.

Is it safe to approach?
No.
It is very hard to tell what a scared dog will do.
If it thinks it is in danger it may get angry and try to protect itself.
Give the dog lots of room and walk the long way around if you have to go past it.


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How can we tell that it is angry?
Makes itself look as big as it can and stands on the tips of its paws.
Hackles on the neck and back will stand up.
Tail may wag slowly and stiffly and held high.
May snarl with lips pulled back showing its teeth.
Eyes wide open and staring.
Ears will be up.
Growling and snarling.

Is it safe to approach?
No.
Remember your safety steps
  Stand still.
  Hands down.
  Quiet as a mouse.
  Look at the ground.


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