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Preventing Dog Bites – Education is the Key!
By Patricia Heller
Children and dogs seem like a perfect match. Unfortunately, this match isn’t always made in heaven. Children are at least three times as likely as adult to sustain a serious injury from a dog bite. Dogs bite an estimated 4.7 million people in the United States each year, and more then half are children under 13 years of age. Eighty percent of these bites are by dogs well acquainted with the victims. If you would like more information on safety around animals and preventing dog bites, visit a website created by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) at www.nodogbites.org.
Many dog bites are preventable. First off, families need to use good judgment before acquiring a family dog. School age children – beginning at 5 or 6 years of age have a better understanding of how to behave around animals. Parents need to assess the maturity of their own children and research breeds or breed mixes that make good family pets.
Education is the key and should start early. It is important to teach children how to behave safely around animals. Even if you don’t own a dog, your children are likely to encounter them. Parents and guardians can begin with a few simple rules:
Leave dogs alone when they are eating, sleeping or playing with a toy.
Never pet a strange dog. Never approach a dog in a parked car, behind a fence, tied up or loose on someone’s property.
Teach children to back away from dogs that growl and snap. These are warning signs. Also back away from the cat that hisses, swats and gives a warning bite that doesn’t break the skin. Also ask permission from the pet’s owner before petting. Then approach the dog slowly and quietly. Avoid looking directly into the dog’s eyes. Let the dog sniff the back of your hand. Then pat gently on the dog’s side or back.
Don’t run from an aggressive dog. Stand and face the dog avoiding eye contact. Keep arms at your side and back away slowly, talking calmly and quietly to the dog. Of equal importance is taking a pro-active stance about preventing dog bites.
There are several steps you can take to make sure your family dog is less likely to bite:
Spay or neuter – sterilized dogs are three times less likely to bite and show less aggression toward other dogs.
Socialize your dog.
Make training a life-long, family matter – take an obedience class that focuses on positive training methods. Dogs that are taught to obey commands for any reward (food, treats, toys, etc.) are constantly reminded of their rank within the family. Everyone in the family should continue to give simple commands like sit and stay to the dog.
Don’t rough house with your dog – Families with children should avoid games like tug of war and wrestling. Teach your dog early on what the limits are for acceptable behavior.
Don’t make excuses for a bite, seek help. The first time you notice dangerous behavior towards a person or other animal – including inappropriate growling, snapping or biting, seek professional help from a veterinarian, animal behavioralist or dog trainer.
Keep pets up to date on vaccinations – especially rabies shots.
Make your dog a member of the family by sharing your home. Dogs that are relegated to a garage or backyard for most of their lives are far more likely to turn into biters. Dogs are social animals who suffer when living in isolation. Chained dogs are especially vulnerable to severe behavior disorders.
Know your dog and use care and caution in those situations when you anticipate a potential problem. Sometimes even training doesn’t help but if you know that you dog will react a certain way in a certain situation, take pains to avoid that situation.
Patricia Heller
Patricia is Director of Outreach and Development for The Potter League for Animals, a full service animal shelter located at 87 Oliphant Lane in Middletown, Rhode Island.
They have a large selection of dogs, cats and small animals for adoption.
The Potter League also offers volunteer programs, obedience classes, pet loss support meetings, humane education and much more.
Feel free to contact Pat at 401 846-8276. You may also visit www.potterleague.org.
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