IN THE FUTURE, I'm going to write about many fun topics. But this is my first column, and a dog's got to make his mark – no pun intended. This time, I'm writing about a serious issue – making sure children know how to interact with dogs.

Lots of dogs have great manners around little people, fully understanding how to cope with sudden movement and loud noises. Many dogs, however, don't know much about those things at all. In fact, there are 4.7 million dog bites in this country every year. Of those, 800,000 are serious enough to require medical attention – and the majority of those bites are to children.

Holy Scooby Snacks, Batman! What's going on?

I suspect dogs are so universally loved that it's easy to forget that canine instincts can be unpredictable. While a human might be doing something playful, a dog might perceive that behavior as a threat. Until a child knows a dog very well, it's best to exercise caution. If I could talk, this is what I would say to all children, as well as what I would encourage parents to teach them:

Always ask the owner's permission before petting a dog.
Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
Never tease a dog.
Never put your face close to a dog.
Always approach dogs slowly and carefully.
Never run from a dog and scream.
Remain calm when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
If you're attacked, cover your head and neck, and protect your face.
Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
Never reach through a fence to pet a dog.
Never try to help a hurt dog; get an adult to help.
Remember that not every dog who wags its tail is friendly.
Enter a yard with a dog only when the owner is with you.

Practicing safety around dogs is just as serious as not getting in a car with a stranger. The last thing I want is for children to be afraid of us – but I do want them to respect us too. Then we can all focus on the fun stuff. Anyone for a game of fetch?

Albert, a Jack Russell Terrier, is Chairman of the Board of Wylie Wagg, a dog and cat shop in Middleburg.