When my daughter was younger she was always putting her face in the dog's face, and she would startle the dog often by sneaking in like that. It was very frustrating,but I keep saying to her that it was not nice sneaking like that and that dogs get scared also, and that she could get hurt. I just keep telling Her that we all have boundries and that she had to wait for the dog to come and play with her. I had to repeat myself a few times more, but she got it. Hope this helps!