Kids Will Learn How To Handle Dogs In School

[Animal House]

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-natio...0927-15snf.html

Dogs will be taken into NSW classrooms in a state government bid to cut rising attacks on children.

Dogs have already claimed 2428 victims this year - nearly twice the number for the same six months in 2009, The Daily Telegraph says.

A $2.1 million program, designed to slash children's chances of being mauled, will be rolled out for students aged five to seven from next year.

[Quickasyoucan]

There has been an advertisement up on DOL for this with both volunteer (with dogs) and paid employment.

The article on news.com.au has the great pic of a smiling stafford on it. Amen to the comment I have bolded at the end.

http://www.news.com.au/national/nipping-do...r-1225929790975

Dogs claim 2428 victims this year

$2.1 million program to slash attacks

Dogs will be brought into classes

DOGS will be brought into classrooms in government's bold bid to cut rising attacks on children.

Already dogs have claimed 2428 victims this year - nearly twice the number for the same six months in 2009.

A $2.1 million program, designed to slash children's chances of being mauled, will be rolled out for students aged five to seven from next year.

Role play, computer games, and real dogs will help show pupils how to act near dogs.

"Bringing a well-supervised dog into the classroom will help reinforce the importance to students that they must always approach dogs in a safe way and show the animal respect," Local Government Minister Barbara Perry said.

"The students will be taught about animal welfare, training, pet ownership, and how to choose an appropriate pet. They will learn what to do if they find themselves at threat of being attacked by a dog."

University of New England Centre for Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour Professor Gisela Kaplan said it was not enough to show children how to approach dogs, urging owners to microchip and train them to be calm near strangers.

Dogs should also be allowed on buses, trains and in shops to stop them being cooped up alone in a backyard, she said.

"Australia is fast becoming the most dog-intolerant country in the world," she said.

[Little Gifts]

I think this is the most amazing idea!

[Adza]

Great idea, been waiting for this for a long time hopefully will reduce many cases.

[whiskedaway]

I think this is a fantastic idea and I agree with the professor that dogs should be allowed in shops. First off, it'd help us to socialise our dogs to different situations, and secondly it'd help people to learn how to behave around a dog and for children to learn if they don't have a dog at home.

[Rottigirl]

Excellent, every little bit helps. Not sure on the other hand if I'd wish my rotti to shop with me. Imagine clothes shopping with the rotti in the dressing room lol

Edited September 27, 2010 by Rottigirl

[Rainy]

Did any one read the comments? i cant belive people can still be so ignoant (sp?)

[Adza]

Excellent, every little bit helps. Not sure on the other hand if I'd wish my rotti to shop with me. Imagine clothes shopping with the rotti in the dressing room lol

that is so funny

[poodlefan]

Given that most dog bites are on kids aged under 4, this program will miss the most at risk age group.

Maybe something in prenatal classes would be a bloody good idea. After all, its PARENTS that need education more than anyone.

[LoveMyLabEva]

Given that most dog bites are on kids aged under 4, this program will miss the most at risk age group.

Maybe something in prenatal classes would be a bloody good idea. After all, its PARENTS that need education more than anyone.

maybe they could go to child care centres too.

love the idea though, I took my 12week puppy to my nieces kindy when I went to pick her up and the kids really loved it.

some of the comments on that article really made me angry though, some non dog owners are very opinionated for not having much dog experience

[Tassie]

Given that most dog bites are on kids aged under 4, this program will miss the most at risk age group.

Maybe something in prenatal classes would be a bloody good idea. After all, its PARENTS that need education more than anyone.

Delta Dog Safe in Tas has the program starting to extend to pre-Kinder now - a lot of schools have early learning centres where under4s attend with parents. I've done a couple of sessions, and it's great to be able to get to the parents as well. For this program, we don't use real dogs - we have a big stuffed Dalmatan for the kids to meet - and I have my old Pekingese pyjama dog (remember those, older DOLers ) who sits in his crate to demonstrate the dogs we don't go near.

[Rottshowgirl]

Given that most dog bites are on kids aged under 4, this program will miss the most at risk age group.

Maybe something in prenatal classes would be a bloody good idea. After all, its PARENTS that need education more than anyone.

The DPI in Victoria already have a targeted program for parents and carers of children 0-4 years, We Are Family The We Are Family program is also being run in South Australia, managed by the Dog and Cat Management Board

It is being presented in maternity hospitals via their pre-natal classes, and also some community health centres etc

http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/we-are-family

Excellent program