EDUCATING CHILDREN ON HOW TO INTERACT WITH COMMUNITY / DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

Like humans, dogs like their privacy and do not welcome unwanted petting. It is important to assess their mood, circumstance and body language before approaching. Most importantly, don’t let your children hang around a dogs neck, pull their body parts, open their jaw, dig into their ears, roll over them or ride them like a wooden horse! We need to treat them the way we would like to be treated.

1.We talk, they bark.

2.We walk on 2 legs, they on 4.

3.Anatomically we aren’t very different.

4.We express with our tone and words when upset and they with their jaws.

5.All of the above is applicable to DOMESTIC PETS as well

6.Teach your children –

• NOT to pelt stones, throw water on them, tease or run towards them, catching them off guard and giving them an impression that they are under threat.

• NOT to feed food in their mouths, just leave it around and walk away.

• NEVER to go near a lactating mother or try to pick her puppies. She WILL GET UPSET & RIGHTFULLY SO!

• NOT to bring home puppies just because they look cute.

• TO be kind, respect their privacy and address them by their name (if they have one)

• TO feed only under adult supervision.

• TO report accidents or injuries to you so you can get help.

7. EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN THAT –

• The street is their home.

• Stray animals are known as colony / community animals.

• The Indian law recognizes community animals as citizens of India. They are here to stay and so are the large animals.

• For humans and animals to coexist, kindness , understanding and awareness is key.