According to the Humane Society of the United States, 4.7 million people are bitten by a dog each year. 80% of those bites are by dogs the people know. It is also estimated that half of the reported bites are on children under the age of 13. Children under the age of 5 are most likely to be bitten, and again, most of these bites come from a dog that the child knows, such as the family dog or that of a relative, neighbor or friend.
Children seem to be more likely to be bitten by dogs than adults. But why is this? For one, a child has a tendency to make more sudden movements than an adult, and quick movements can sometimes stimulate a dog’s prey drive (the instinct within a dog to give chase). Also, children speak in higher pitched voices, and often are louder than adults. This can sometimes startle a dog, making him likely to bite. Children also can frustrate a dog by rough play and teasing, or they can inadvertently inflict pain with the pull of a tail or a poke in the eye. Finally, smaller children are closer to a dog’s eye level, making it easier for a dog to feel threatened by eye-to-eye contact, which can result in the child being bitten in the face.Dog training Magnolia
How then can we keep our children safe around dogs? It is important that parents and teachers instruct children on how to approach and handle a dog. Here are some child and dog safety tips from a professional dog trainer:
1. Never approach a dog you do not know. The dog may look friendly, when in fact, it may not be. People think that a wagging tail means the dog is friendly. This is not always the case. Many people have been bitten by dogs that were wagging their tail, so stay away from dogs you do not know.
2. Always ask the dog’s owner for permission before you pet the dog. This even applies to dog’s you know. You never know when a dog, feeling startled or cornered, may attack. Even friendly dogs are candidates to bite.
3. Do not invade the dog’s space. Allow the dog to come up to you and sniff the top of your closed fist (palm down). If the dog doesn’t want to come and greet you, respect that and leave it alone. Don’t approach a dog from behind or straight on. Approach the dog from the side, and remember to not make any sudden moves.
4. Never get in a dog’s face. While this tip is similar to tip #3, it warrants its own paragraph. Getting into a dogs face is very dangerous, as the dog can take this as a challenge and bite. And remember to never stare down a dog. This can also be taken as a challenge, which can provoke the dog’s fight drive. Instead, make eye contact with the dog, and then look away. When you take your eyes off the dog you are signaling to the dog that you are not a threat to them.
5. Never tease a dog. You don’t like to be teased, neither do dogs.
6. Do not approach a dog that has been tied up or left at the end of a chain. Again, any dog that feels threatened could potentially attack.
7. Tell an adult immediately if you see a dog that is loose in your neighborhood.
8. Never touch a dog while it is eating. The dog could feel that you are a threat to take away its food, so stay back and let him finish. This includes dog bones and even toys, if the dog has a strong toy drive.