Should You Pet The Pet? Here’s Quiz For Children That Has All The Right Answers To Questions About Animals

So, Fido can heel and Fluffy never misses the litter box. The question is, how well trained are the kids?

Just as pets need training to live with people, we humans need some skills for dealing with animals. Learning their “language” makes life more pleasant - and safer - for pets and people.

Almost 3 million children are bitten by dogs each year, and as many as 675,000 people by cats. Many injuries could be avoided by knowing how to handle animals, and when to stay away. Kids who don’t have pets at home need the knowledge as much as those who do; they’re sure to encounter other people’s animals.

This quiz was compiled from information provided by Dr. Barbara Simpson, an animal behavior specialist with North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and by Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, former president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, in his new video “Dogs, Cats & Kids” ($23.90, call 1-800-784-0979 anytime to order).

1. If you want a cat to sit on your lap, you should:

A. Sit down, pat your lap and call it.

B. Reach under its belly and pick it up.

C. Pick it up by the loose skin at the back of its neck.

2. If a strange dog runs at you, you should:

A. Yell for help and run.

B. Grab a stick, stare it down and show it who’s boss.

C. Stand still and quiet, arms at your side, and don’t look at the dog.

3. If you see a raccoon that doesn’t seem afraid of you, you should:

A. Take it home for a pet.

B. Poke it with a stick.

C. Leave it alone and go tell an adult; it may have rabies.

4. Which of these signal that a dog should be left alone?

A. Tail wagging low, ears and mouth relaxed.

B. Tail between legs, ears flat, whining.

C. Tail wagging high, ears cocked forward, teeth bared.

5. If a friend says it’s OK to pet his or her dog, what’s the best way to approach it?

A. Look it in the eye and pet the top of its head.

B. Let it sniff your hand; then stroke its chest, side or back.

C. Come up from behind and give it a hug.

6. Which is safer to do with a dog than a cat?

A. Dangle a toy in front of the animal and pull it away.

B. Pet its belly.

C. Nuzzle its nose and talk baby talk.

7. When is it risky to pet a dog even if it knows you?

A. When it’s asleep.

B. When it’s eating.

C. When it’s tied up on a rope.

8. True or false: You can be sure dogs and cats are feeling friendly if they’re wagging their tails.

9. True or false: Most children who are bitten by dogs are attacked by strays.

10. True or false: If you want to pet someone else’s dog or cat, you should ask the owner to introduce you.

ANSWERS

1 - A. Most cats aren’t crazy about being picked up; your best bet is to let them come to you. (The back-of-the-neck thing works for mother cats and their kittens, but it’s not advised for humans.)

2 - C. Running, screaming and confronting a potentially hostile dog are very dangerous. The experts say it’s best to “make like a tree” - stand still, stay calm, don’t wave your arms. Don’t look the dog in the eyes - the dog may think you’re challenging it. If you’re sitting on the ground when the dog approaches, make like a rock - curl up, face down, hands over ears. Chances are in either case the dog will sniff you and move on. Wait until it’s gone to get up, then go tell an adult.

Random attacks on children terrify us all, but experts say they’re rare. Dogs running in packs present the biggest danger. Adults should keep an eye out and report strays or dog packs to animal control officials.

3 - C. Parents, be sure your children understand that wild animals aren’t like cartoon characters. They aren’t out looking for human buddies and they shouldn’t be handled. Animal-loving children can put themselves at great risk if they pick up a sick animal.

By the way, if you’re putting out food for your dog or cat in an area that has raccoons, you’re putting your whole family at risk of rabies, says Simpson, the animal behaviorist with N.C. State.

4 - B and C. They’re signs of fear and anger, respectively, and either one can cause a dog to bite. When in doubt, leave a dog alone unless you know it or it approaches you clearly wanting attention.

5 - B. A dog’s ears and eyes are sensitive, so many dogs don’t like being petted on the head. Looking straight into its eyes is a sign of aggression. Animals don’t like to be grabbed, squeezed or startled any more than you do. Approach a dog (or cat) gently, letting it get to know you before you reach for it.

6 - B. In general, dogs who roll over want their bellies petted, but cats have sensitive bellies and may scratch anyone who touches them in the wrong place.

“Teasing” games, where you dangle a toy just out of reach, are a bad idea with either one. Even if the pet is having fun, a slight misjudgment can result in a nip or scratch. It’s better to toss a toy and let the dog or cat run after it.

Going nose-to-nose with either animal can also be risky; it can make the animal nervous, and your face is in close range of claws or teeth. (As far as we know, the baby talk is only a problem for other people who have to listen to it.)

7 - A, B and C. A dog that’s friendly under other circumstances may bite if it’s startled or feels like its food or territory are threatened.

8. False. Tail-wagging can be a welcoming sign, but angry cats and dogs may twitch their tails. If you’ve been petting a cat, watch for that nervous tail twitch - sometimes combined with a low growl -that says it’s had enough.

9. False. Most children are bitten by friends’ and neighbors’ dogs. That’s why it’s so important to know how to understand their language and know when to back off.

10. True. It may sound silly, but a human “introduction” can be the key to a safe enjoyable encounter. If you see someone walking a dog on a leash, always ask if it’s friendly and if it’s all right to pet it. If you’re visiting someone’s home, ask the owner to help the pet get to know you. Remember, the pet doesn’t automatically know you’re a friend; you can seem like a big, scary stranger.