How to Prevent Dog's From Biting Children

While numerous people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs each year, most victims are children, particularly those younger than age five. Reports indicate that children most often are bitten by a family pet or other familiar dog. Young children also are more likely to be bitten on the face, head or neck. Fortunately, the risk of dog bite injuries can be minimized by teaching children when and how to approach a dog.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Teach Your Child

1. Instruct your child never to approach a strange dog, especially if it is tied, chained, or confined within a fence. Usually dogs bite out of fear. Even familiar dogs should be approached cautiously, particularly if the dog is eating or sleeping.

2. Help your child to remain relaxed around a dog. An already confused or agitated dog can become more threatening if it senses that a person is stiffening up.

3. Warn your child to be more careful around older dogs that might be blind, hearing-impaired, or sensitive to touch. A dog in pain may bite anyone, even its owner. Quick movements and loud noises can scare a dog that is lying quietly.

4. Let the animal see and sniff first before allowing your child to pet the dog. By doing this, you let the dog know that you and your child are not a threat. However, don’t let your child hold her face close to a dog since doing so can make a child an easy target.

5. Make certain that your child knows not to make direct eye contact with a dog, especially if it appears to be agitated. Staring into the eyes of a dog can make it more aggressive.

6. Explain to your child not to scream or run past a dog. Many breeds of dogs have a natural instinct to chase prey. If a dog becomes threatening, your child should not turn away and run from the dog. Instead he needs to remain calm with hands and arms at his sides while backing away slowly.

Tips & Warnings

• Children tend to be less frightened of familiar dogs, and that is why problems sometimes arise. Stray dogs tend to be wary of humans, and less likely to become aggressive.
• A dog that wags its tail is not necessarily friendly.
• Barking, growling, snarling, tail standing up, or ears laid flat are all warning signs that a dog may be aggressive. Should a dog attack, the best thing to do is to curl up on the ground and protect your face and head by covering them with your hands and arms.

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