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How can you prevent dogs jumping at children? How should I respond when it happens?

Whenever we go walking in the countryside with our three-year-old, dogs approach him and frighten him. He has never come to harm, but there is always a concern. It happens within seconds. Typically, the owners either airily tell us their dog is harmless, or they more aggressively say: “What are you afraid of?” Does anyone else have this problem? How can you prevent dogs jumping at children? How should I respond when it happens? Tracey Lewis, Diss, Suffolk

Post your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@theguardian.com. A selection will be published on Sunday.