Prevent Dog Bites by Practicing These Points of Pup Etiquette
As a veterinarian and a mom, I know the joys of raising children with dogs. Family pets are an important part of many families, as evidenced by the estimated 78 million dogs in the U.S. With numbers like that, your kids will be around dogs—whether or not you choose to have a Fido in your family. Children, especially boys ages 5-9, are most likely to be bitten and most dog bites occur by known dogs, not strays.
So how do we prevent this? Teach your kids to respect dogs, and supervise your children when they interact with canines. Share these important rules to help your family avoid dog bites.
Stay away…
- From dogs that are not with an adult
- From dogs that appear sad, mad or unfriendly (barking, growling, or tense)
- From dogs that are behind a fence or in a car (even if your ball goes near)
- From dogs that are eating, sleeping, or chewing on a bone or toy
- From dogs that are injured or nursing or with their puppies
- From dogs that are working (police dogs or seeing eye dogs)
Never…
- Run from a dog
- Hug or kiss a dog
- Stare at a dog
- Play rough or play fight with a dog
- Tease a dog
- Yell or throw things at a dog
- Share your food or eat near a dog
In addition to teaching your kids good manners, it is also important to keep your pets up-to-date on vaccines, flea and heartworm prevention. Get your pets spayed and neutered, and socialize and train your pets at an early age. You can also train your dog to sit and stay away from the dinner table while the kids are eating.
Safe Stances
If your kids are approached by a strange dog while playing, teach them to “Be a Tree: Never Run!”
If lying down, “Be a Log.”
- Lie face down with feet together.
- Make fists with your hands and place them behind your head.
- Cover your ears with your arms.
- Do not stare at the dog, laugh or scream.