1 Jo Questier- Education & Community OfficerBe 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 education44% 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 TeachersChild 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 parentsTraining 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 languageDogs 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 languageOver 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 doInvading dog’s space Ear pulling & eye poking Teasing Let sleeping dogs lie

14 How to approach & stroke a dog safelyAsk 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 overDo the ‘X-Factor’! Be a hedgehog!

16 Is it working? Quizzes & games with childrenFeedback 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 ZagrebAnimal Protection Association “Seven of Nine” Community for animal protection Rijeka

21 Case study- overseas

22 Deliver your own programThe 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