Workshops
Understanding dogs better, together.
Raising awareness, preventing bites and fostering a peaceful cohabitation between children and dogs
Dogs are everywhere, in the street, in the park, in the forest, at friends’ or family homes: our children will encounter them often, sometimes from a very young age. It’s important that they learn to interact with them in a way that is respectful and safe for both of them.
Children don’t always know how to approach a dog or interpret its reactions, others may have had an unpleasant experience and feel apprehensive about encountering dogs. Some think they know what to do, but don’t recognise the signs of stress or discomfort in a dog, and may unknowingly put themselves in danger.
Understanding how dogs communicate can help prevent many risky situations. By learning to observe, to respect the dog’s needs and to adopt the right behaviours, children develop skills that are useful for their own safety, as well as for the wellbeing of the animals they encounter.
By educating children on ways to approach dogs that are respectful, safe and enjoyable to both, we protect both the child and the dog.
Who are the workshops for?
The workshops are primarily aimed at children aged 4 to 12, as they are the age group most exposed to bite accidents.
They can also be adapted for:
- teenagers
- adults who want to better understand dogs
- people with apprehension or fear of dogs
- parentnand children attending together
The educational and fun materials (quizzes, observation games, role play, real-life scenarios, videos and creative exercises) are adapted to the age level of the participants.
Workshop objectives
During the workshop, participants learn to:
- recognise a dog’s emotions
- understand the basics of canine communication
- observe postures and body signals
- know when and how to approach a dog safely
- identify situations where it’s better not to interact with a dog
- understand a dog’s needs in order to better respect them
- develop empathy towards living beings
I work with my team made up of educational soft toys and Ubi, my Italian water dog specially trained in animal mediation.
Where do the workshops take place?
The workshops can be organised in a variety of settings:
- nursery, primary and secondary schools
- after-school programmes
- associations
- canine centres
- animal welfare events
- birthday parties or private events at home
Each project is tailored to the audience, the venue and the objectives.
Want to organise a workshop?
The bite prevention programme generally lasts 1h30. Longer formats or several sessions can also be offered to explore different topics in more depth:
- dog body language
- jobs related to dogs
- the senses of dogs and humans
- responsible dog-walking (encounters, environment, respect for public spaces)
- or any other topic related to your needs
Price: on request.
To organise a workshop, request a price estimate or simply discuss your project, get in touch by my contact form.
I am a certified PECCRAM* practitioner, trained to lead these workshops with pedagogy, rigour and professionalism.
PECCRAM stands for Programme d’Éducation à la Connaissance du Chien et au Risque d’Accident par Morsure (Dog Awareness and Bite Accident Prevention Education Programme). Created by Chantal Hazard, this programme aims to raise children’s awareness of canine communication and safe behaviours around dogs.
Workshops for dog guardians
Group workshops and webinars are for dog guardians who want to go further in understanding their dog and their relationship with them.
On the programme, I cover concrete topics around everyday life with your dog, explored from both a behavioural and psychological angle, such as managing your emotions in response to your dog’s reactions, better understanding the bond between you, or developing tools to navigate difficult moments together.
These workshops are primarily aimed at adults. Parent-child formats are also planned, as a way to explore these topics as a family.
In person or online. Topics and dates announced soon.