DogSmart Quiz for Kids

How Smart Are Your Children About Dogs?

Carolyn Krause

Give your child this simple test. Find out if he or she knows the smart and safe way to behave around dogs. The answers may surprise you, too. If your child is nervous around dogs, knowing some simple rules will help the child feel more confident. Most importantly, the youngster who really loves dogs can learn that all dogs don't like strangers. It's important to speak with a child in terms that won't be frightening to him or her. We don't want to create phobia, we want to teach appropriate caution. Be sure to emphasize that most dogs are friendly and that dogs provide many important services to mankind. Some dogs work as guide dogs for the blind, and assistance dogs for the handicapped. Some dogs serve us search and rescue and tracking dogs. Some dogs are trained to sniff out termites, bombs and, illegal drugs. Point out to children that there are a few dogs are not calm and happy with strangers. Young folks must learn to follow a few simple rules to be "dog Smart" and safe. Use the answers to the questions below to spark a discussion with your child.

1. What do we call the dogs we see and play with nearly everyday?

A. Rover

B. Our dog friends

C. Neighbor dogs

2. What is a stranger dog?

A. An odd or funny looking dog

B. A dog who belongs to someone we don’t know

C. A dog that we have not seen or played with before

3. What should we do if we meet or see a stranger dog?

A. Run away and scream very loud.

B. Ask the owner if we may pet the dog.

C. Make the stranger dog go away.

4. What if the stranger dog comes over to us and the owner is not there?

A. Stand still and be quiet until the dog goes away or if he doesn’t go away, you should slowly walk away sideways; and find a grown up who will make the stranger dog go away.

B. Throw rocks at the stranger dog.

C. Scream and cry and run away from the stranger dog.

5. What is the right way to pat one of our dog friends?

A. Give him a big hug and squeeze him very tight.

B. Give him a slow friendly stroke along the side or back.

C. Pat him firmly on the top of his head.

6. Which are the dogs I should never try to pet or play with?

A. Dogs tied up on a rope or chain

B. Dogs on the other side of a fence

C. Dogs that are working (guide dogs for the blind, tracking or search dogs, or assistance dogs helping handicapped people)

D. A dog in a parked car

E. A Dog that is eating, sleeping or chewing on one of his toys

F. All of the above answers are correct.

The correct answers:

1. B. Our dog friends

These are our own dogs or those we play or visit with often. Most dogs are friendly and we know our dog friends well enough to be sure that they are friendly and like children. Even some dogs that we know well may not like to play with children and we should leave those dogs alone, too. Sadly, dogs who don’t like children often were hurt or frightened by children when they were puppies. Never hurt or frighten a puppy. Children should be very gentle and kind to puppies so they grow up to become dogs that like children not fear them. Dogs owned by our friends and neighbors should not be petted or played with until after an adult introduces us to the dog and we know that it feels friendly and comfortable with us.

2. C. A dog we have not seen or played with before

A stranger dog is not necessarily a bad or mean dog. We just don’t know if he is comfortable with us; and we don’t yet know whether he enjoys being petted.

3. B. Ask the owner if we may pet the dog

This stranger dog may be a very nice dog, but unless an adult owner is present and we ask permission to pet the stranger dog; we have no way to know whether he is friendly or not. If the owner is not with the dog, do not run or scream or shout. Do not try to make the stranger dog go away by yourself. That is a job for adults.

4. A. Stand still as a statue, arms folded or at your side and be quiet. Look up at the sky until the dog goes away. If he doesn’t go away, you should slowly walk sideways to get away, and then find a grown up who can make the stranger dog go away.

Do not throw rocks at a dog because that probably won’t make him leave anyway. Do not run, shout, or scream, that might make the dog get very excited so he wants to play chase games with you. Chase games are not fun with a stranger dog! If the stranger dog comes up to you, stand still like a statue hold your hands tight to your sides and look at the sky. The stranger dog will probably just sniff you for a few moments and then leave. Don’t stare at the dog’s face and don’t talk or shout. If you are already sitting down or the dog knocks you down, turn yourself into a rock. Tuck your knees to your chest, put your elbows on your knees and cover your ears with your fists. Don’t move until after the dog moves away.

5. B. Give him a slow friendly stroke along the back or side.

If you stroke him gently along his side or back, a dog will know you want to be his friend. Most dogs do not like to be hugged. It makes them feel trapped. Most dogs do not like to be patted right on the top of the head, that may scare or hurt them. If any dog backs away when you try to pet it, don’t keep trying to pet it, leave it alone.

6. D. All of the above answers are correct.

Never try to play with a dog that is tied up. The reason he is tied up may be that he is not friendly. Dogs on chains or inside a fence or waiting in a parked car usually think they should protect their territory. Leave them alone! Working dogs must be allowed to do their jobs. If you pet these dogs without the owner’s permission, it breaks their training. When dogs are eating or sleeping you should talk to them to wake them up, but don’t touch them until after they stand or sit up. Never bother a dog that is eating. If your dog is eating the wrong thing, go get an adult. Children should not try to take a chew toy away from a dog until after it is trained to release a toy on command. If your dog is chewing on the wrong thing, go get an adult. If the dog is chewing on a child’s toy then someone forgot to put it away. Go get an adult immediately. Children’s toys can be very dangerous for dogs to chew.

Ó1991FireDog Enterprises, Inc.