1. Jo Questier- Education & Community Officer
Be Dog Smart H
Jo Questier- Education & Community Officer

2. Overview
Educating children & families on safety around dogs at home and in the community…

3. Over 13 years of teaching experience…
Free educational lessons to young people
7000 workshops every year
24 Education Officers & 6 Youth Trainers
Teach responsibility, respect & safety

4. Be Dog Smart
Be Dog Smart is our unique campaign helping families understand more about how to behave around dogs in order to keep themselves safe

5. The need for dog safety education
44% of parents would leave a child under the age of 11 alone with a dog
One in three (30%) children are afraid of dogs
98% of parents were unaware that there are over 20 signs that a dog may feel uneasy
Over half of children questioned thought a growling dog was smiling

6. Who is it for? Children Parents / grandparents Foster carers Teachers
Child minders
Anyone who has responsibility for children!

7. What’s the benefit for dogs?
Increased awareness of signs that a dog is feeling uneasy
Increased empathy & respect for dogs
Reduction in the number of dogs being destroyed

8. What’s the benefit for children & families?
Increased general awareness of how to behave around dogs
Enriched relationship between families & their dogs
Safety tips for children/families that may be wary of dogs
Reduced risk of dog bites

9. What do we offer? Workshops for children Workshops for parents
Training for teachers
Work with other organisations
Reaching out to libraries, vets, housing providers, police, doctors & children’s centres
A family guide
A website

10. How is it delivered?
Fun, interactive sessions tailored to the needs and level of the audience
Various activities:
Sorting cards
Worksheets
Quizzes
Video clips
‘Hands on’ tasks
Games

11. Topics that we cover Dog communication & body language
Dogs have boundaries just like us
How to approach and stroke a dog safely
What to do if a dog jumps up at you/knocks you over

12. Dog communication & body language
Over half of children questioned thought a growling dog was smiling
98% of parents were unaware that there are over 20 signs that a dog may feel uneasy and could be pushed to become aggressive or may bite

13. Dogs have boundaries just like we do
Invading dog’s space
Ear pulling & eye poking
Teasing
Let sleeping dogs lie

14. How to approach & stroke a dog safely
Ask the owner IF you can stroke the dog
Hold out your hand, with fingers folded, to let the dog SNIFF you
Ask the owner WHERE the dog likes to be stroked & do so gently

15. What to do if a dog jumps up at you/knocks you over
Do the ‘X-Factor’!
Be a hedgehog!

16. Is it working? Quizzes & games with children
Feedback forms from teachers/group leaders
Record data
Collate case studies

17. Yes, it’s working!
3,136 Be Dog Smart workshops were delivered throughout the UK in 2015
Increase in uptake from other establishments in 2016
Anecdotal evidence

18. Case study- bite incident
“I did what Dogs Trust had taught me”

19. Case study- fears T

20. Case study- overseas Shelter for abandoned animals of City of Zagreb
Animal Protection Association “Seven of Nine”
Community for animal protection Rijeka

21. Case study- overseas

22. Deliver your own program
The main ingredient is enthusiasm!
Be clear on your messages & objectives
Always approach the council first; apart from being your passport in, it is courteous
Have fun!

23. Final thought…
“My daughter came out of school to me beaming after the talk, showing me her 'I love dogs' sticker, certificate & pen with absolute pride - "I'm not frightened of dogs anymore...I know what to do if I don't want a dog to come to me or jump up at me by doing 'the X factor' ....can we have a dog?!" We have since met up with family & their dogs who she was previously petrified of and rarely saw because of her fear!....& she was stroking them, playing with them, taking them for a walk, feeding them treats from her hand without any hesitation! She is still wary of strange dogs but that's to be expected.
I cannot thank you enough for the support & confidence your talk has provided her - it has been life-changing!”

24. Thank you for listening