This collection of learning experiences are designed to help develop students’ awareness and understanding of basic dog behaviour, with a focus on dog safety and dog bite prevention. Students will learn how to observe and understand the “language” of dogs and respond in appropriate, safe, and empathetic ways. 

Most dogs do give warning signs of their stress and discomfort before they resort to biting. Learning the signals that dogs give to indicate that they’re feeling anxious, afraid, threatened, or aggressive when they are interacting with people can help diffuse situations before bites.

Within this unit there are seven suggested experiences that can be used as whole class lessons or set up as group learning stations. These learning experiences can be modified to best fit within the classroom programme, students’ prior knowledge, and various time constraints.