These slides are from a short talk I did at the APDT Conference in November 2019 on the lessons I’ve learned from working with children and dogs. They are based on the Can I Pat That Dog? talks I gave at my son's childcare centre in 2006 and 2007, and the school holiday activities I ran in Centennial Park from 2009-2011 with my son and my dear old dog, Harry.

1. Working with Children and Dogs
➢ Robert Fairhead
➢ Robert’s ResponsibleDogTraining.com.au
➢ @mydogposts (Instagram & Twitter)

2. My Background
● In 2013, coordinated revamp of club’s adult dog beginners’
program with fellow instructors, relaunched as Responsible
Dog Ownership (RDO) Course in 2014
● Also helped integrate club's Puppy Classes with new RDO
Course and introduce bridging Foundation Class to aid
transition from RDO to club's advanced classes
● For several years ran the "Can I Pat That Dog?" school
holidays activity in Centennial Park
● Admin for Queens Park (Sydney) Dog Walkers on Facebook
● In addition to volunteer roles, established Robert's Responsible Dog Training to run professional
group dog training classes using positive reward-based methods
● Away from dog training, editor and writer at TallAndTrue.com.au, and blog about life, books and
dogs on RobertFairhead.com
● Joined Eastern Suburbs Dog Training Club in 1999 with dear old black lab, Harry
● Progressed through classes, gained obedience titles, and became volunteer instructor in 2001

3. Can I Pat That Dog? (2006)
● In 2006, gave talk about dogs and dog safety at my
son’s childcare centre — three parts:
1. How to approach a dog
2. How to look after a dog
3. Dog training and tricks
● Showed kids photos of angry, fearful and happy
dogs in part 1
● Reminder to ask permission from parent/carer and
dog owner before approaching a dog — even a
happy looking dog
● Dear old Harry demo dog for parts 2 and 3
● Training and tricks popular with kids
● Perhaps pipped by patting Harry after talk – kids
remembered to ask permission.

4. Can I Pat That Dog? (2007)
● In 2007, returned to childcare centre with updated talk
● New ideas from SPOT (Safe Pets Out There) program
run in NSW primary schools
● Still three-part talk, but three fundamental changes:
1. Permission, before approaching dog, ask:
✓ Parent/carer
✓ Dog owner
✓ And the dog
1. Referenced “Can I pat that dog?” by McLaine,
Damiani and Power (A&R 2004)
2. Used toy dog (“Scrunch”) to act out illustrated
scenarios and body language from book
● Good feedback from kids, carers and parents
● Unsurprisingly, tricks and patting Harry again proved
most popular with kids.

5. Can I Pat That Dog? (2009-11)
● Pitched at slightly older age group 3-7 years-old
(childcare centre 2-5) - older kids also attended
● Kept three-part structure:
1. How to approach a dog – who to ask and
dog body language
2. How to look after a dog – dogs need more
than just food and water
3. How to train a dog – Harry’s tricks (help
from my son with tricks)
● But replaced “Scrunch” with slideshow from “Can I pat that dog?” book to better demonstrate
scenarios and dog body language (again help from my son with slides).
● From 2009 to 2011, ran “Can I Pat That Dog?” as school holidays activity in Centennial Park

6. Can I pat that dog? No ...
● He looks angry!
● She looks scared!
● He is on guard!
● She is tied up!
● He is eating!
● She is sleeping!
● He looks old!
● She has puppies!
● He is working!

7. Can I pat that dog? Yes ...
● Reminder, always ask:
○ Parent/carer
○ Dog owner
○ And the dog!
● Does dog looks happy?
● Happy dog body language
○ Waggy tail
○ Ears rounded
○ Floppy tongue/smiling
○ Bowing for a play!

8. What did I learn?
✓ Kids loved patting Harry after talks — “Down” worked for nervy kids
✓ Working with son on slides often ended in tears (mine!)
✓ Harry was a good dog! (Perhaps put him under too much stress?)
✓ Ask permission of parent/carer, dog owner AND the dog
✓ Slides more effective than “Scrunch” for demonstrating scenarios and dog
body language — also better advert for book
✓ Kids least interested in “How to look after a dog” part of talks — why I tell
parents not to get a dog for kids unless THEY want one!
✓ Training and tricks, especially flag race, most popular part with kids and
adults (my son, too)

9. Great book still used at son’s
old childcare centre!
✓ Angus & Robertson (2004) - out of print?
✓ ISBN: 9780207200144

10. Working with Children and Dogs
Any Questions?
➢ Robert’s ResponsibleDogTraining.com.au
➢ Instagram & Twitter: @mydogposts
➢ Blog RobertFairhead.com
➢ TallAndTrue.com.au/nonfiction/animals
➢ Slides: slideshare.net/tallandtrue