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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Case study- fears T

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

Case study- overseas

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!

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!”

Thank you for listening www.bedogsmart.org.uk www.learnwithdogstrust.org.uk