How can you prevent dogs jumping at children?

Whenever we go walking in the countryside with our three-year-old, dogs approach him and frighten him. He has never come to harm, but there is always a concern. It happens within seconds. Typically, the owners either airily tell us their dog is harmless, or they more aggressively say: “What are you afraid of?” Does anyone else have this problem? How can you prevent dogs jumping at children? How should I respond when it happens? 

Teach him to stand still, turn his back and fold his arms whenever a dog approaches him. This communicates dominance and a lack of interest, and dogs will quickly leave him alone.  It’s worth trying to understand what the dog is trying to do. It wants to put its front paws on the person – either as play or to dominate. One tip for your child is to stand still but then, as the dog jumps, to either step backwards or lift your knee which removes the ability of the dog to rest its paws. I’ve found doing that a few times along with a firm “no” and the dog stops.  I think it is awful the way some dog owners behave. I’ve seen dogs running about, knocking children over and when challenged the dog owners just calls you “a miserable cow”. Their dog has made a small child cry, yet some how you’re the one in the wrong.  It is not just children that need protecting from dogs. I myself do not like dogs and yet every day I have encounter or avoid other people’s dogs. I would like to see areas that are designated dog-free so that those of us that don’t like them can walk in peace.  If a fully grown horse came running over to an adult, most would be pretty intimidated. That’s what it’s like for a small child when a big dog races up to them. I’m always telling my kids that they shouldn’t be scared of dogs, just careful. And never try running because the dog will think you’re playing. Just stand still. But it takes some guts for a child to stand still when a big dog bounces up to them. Dog owners need to exhibit a bit more empathy for the situation.  I guess the people taking this lightly are all the owners of badly behaved dogs! I have seen dogs knock children and adults down, with claw marks that drew blood, and memorably bite with the owner saying: “It’s just how he expresses affection.” My approach: you see the dog coming, calmly call to the owner: “Control your dog” while stepping in between your child and the dog. Don’t yell or wave your arms; badly behaved dogs are just going to get worse if you hype them up. A stern “no” if they seem about to jump can be followed by raising your knee, get the dog right in the chest and it’s on its back. Then expect the owner to have a hissy whiny tantrum like a six-year-old because they are a lazy dog owner. 

I’m a professional canine behaviourist. Dogs that jump up at or invade the space of strange people and animals are a complete pain. They haven’t been taught to look before they leap, or to respect personal space and usually do it to their family, too. The owner should know their dog will do this to strangers and have it back on the lead in good time to pass you, allowing you and your boy to feel protected. Unfortunately, you can’t do a great deal that doesn’t invoke a defensive response from protective owners who know and trust their own dog. It’s unreasonable for them to assume you can trust their dog, but still, it’s how the world goes. What you absolutely can do is defend your child and teach him not to run away if they approach. Running, panicky, squeaky behaviours can elicit a chase response in most hunting species, so avoid doing any of those things. Most tame dogs can be moved away or slowed down with a strong enough approach. What you would need to be careful of is that they don’t then circle behind you to sniff your boy, so keep him close and stay between your boy and the dog. You can take a tin with dried beans in it to shake at them, or a stick with a rustly carrier bag on the end to shake at them and draw out your space. You may not need to be over the top with anything – they may be surprised enough by a slow, determined approach, ensuring you’re giving off a keep the hell away from us vibe. Expect a response from their owner, but get good at defusing this by making sure everyone is safe and then explaining why you did what you did and allowing everyone to take a breath. You should never need to touch the approaching dog – if you find you have, you’ve missed your chance to communicate – begin your explanation of Stay AWAY (shaking the tin, looking scary and moving towards) in good enough time that the dog can see you, read you, respect your communication and alter course. The closer or faster he is, the bigger and louder you’ll need to be, but if he’s fully in your space and has ignored your communication and is all over you, be still and quiet and between him and your boy, but feel free to be irate at the owner.