It’s dog bite awareness week. Be a tree!

Apparently this is dog bite awareness week (…month?), so I’m adding to knowledge on dog safety! Whether an approaching dog is overly-friendly, a known dog, a strange dog, an aggressive dog, or a feral dog, this method works. I’ve used it myself many times, sometimes in rather hairy moments, and it’s like magic.

While this is designed for kids, it works just as well for adults.

“Why does it work?” I hear you cry.

Well, in actuality, what you’re doing is communicating to the dog the same way another dog would. In looking away (looking up or closing your eyes) you’re saying, “I offer no challenge, and I’m not interested in playing.” By refusing to move you’re saying, “I’m not prey or a toy.” By folding up your arms you’re hiding your hands (toys or targets) and saying, “I’m not petting, attacking, or playing.” In all of it you’re giving the dog the cold shoulder.

No, of course they don’t think you’re a tree. But they do think you’re refusing to respond, and don’t want to engage, and that works just as well!

Ready to learn how to deal with any dog and get it to stop dead in its tracks? Well, I can’t upload the .pdf, so we’re doing this the honor way and I’m uploading the images. Here we go!

And remember, everyone: practice at random. The more you practice, even if it’s not when there’s a dog around, the more it gets into your muscle memory, and the more you’ll be able to do it when you’re flustered!

Stay safe!

Jenna

PS the next Translating Dog workshop is April 27th. There’s still time to register! www.TranslatingDog.com or reach out at [email protected].