May 11, 2011

Kids: Stay Safe Around Dogs!

You're out playing with your friends. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a strange dog comes racing at you. Barking and baring his teeth, he shows no signs of stopping. Quick—what do you do? (a) Stand like a tree. (b) Run like the wind. (c) Scream like a siren.

If you answered "a," you're right on target. Dogs chase moving objects, especially noisy ones. Most dogs lose interest in somebody who's just standing still. They usually sniff the person, get bored, and walk away.

So, why are we telling you how to act around dogs? Summer's coming, and kids are outdoors more. Close encounters with neighborhood dogs are bound to happen.

To teach kids about proper dog care and how to prevent dog bites, we teamed up with Chicago Public School students to create the video below.

Check it out, then show it to your friends, parents, and teacher, too. Ask your teacher to show it to your class before school gets out for the summer. It can make a big difference—for kids and dogs!