My dad made it quite clear to me when I was young to ask before I petted any dog. If I ran up to the dog, I was spanked & brought hhome for disobaying. My dad knew I liked furry thing too much & I also learned the hard way about hugging dogs, the dog bit my ear & I was rushed to the hospital by my aunt & uncle & had gotten 7 stiches in my ear. My aunt & uncle were sooooo upset (I was the first born on both side of the family & it was the first time on their farm & the first kid they ever took care of. My sister was too young to be left with them & went on mom & dads dinner trip.

When my parents came home I was all excited to tell them the news & my aunt & uncle were still really upset & felt so bad & were shocked when my dad said
dad: did Fred attack her, or just bite her?
uncle & aunt: Just bit her once & ran off
dad: well no big deal, it the first kid hes ever seen & its not like he attacked her.
aunt & uncle: oh ok.

So all was good I don't hug many dogs anymore, but I still love them. I also still petted Fred after he bit me.
It take more then 8 dog bites to scare me of dogs. I understand dogs get scared & I might not know that & they bite, big deal.

Bitting is diff from attacking.

& I'll teach my kids the same as my dad did, it worked on me & my sis.