How to prevent your child from being bitten by a dog

By Cheri Lucas

Every year, 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs. Among children, the incidence of dog-bite injuries is the highest for those between the ages of 5 to 9 years of age. With these statistics in mind, it’s important for adults to have a basic understanding of what preventative measures they can take to keep their children from being bitten.

If you’re planning on adopting a dog from a shelter, make sure to inquire about the dog’s temperament according to the staff and volunteers at the facility. Dogs with a history of aggression are not suitable for homes with young children.

Before bringing a new dog into your home, make sure you assess your child’s level of comfort around dogs. If your child exhibits any fear or apprehension around dogs, they could actually trigger a dog’s aggression. It’s far better to hold off on adopting a dog for a while than to risk your child’s safety. Work on addressing your child’s fear issues around dogs before considering bringing a dog into your household.

Advise your child not to be the first to approach an unknown dog. Allow a new dog to practice the ritual of smelling your child first before interacting with him. Teach your children that dogs don’t like to be hugged around the neck or kissed. Children are often bitten in the face or neck as a result of this practice.

Teach your children how to read a dog’s body language. Remember that dogs can’t converse with your child the way humans converse with each other. Often they exhibit certain kinds of body language to “warn” people that they are not comfortable with the human’s approach or energy. If the child doesn’t seem to “get it,” a dog may feel his only recourse is to bite.

Common examples of body language that indicate a dog does not want to interact with a child might include stiff or very still posturing, lip smacking, growling or raising their tail as the child approaches. Tell your child to avoid giving direct eye contact to a dog showing these signs and slowly back away from the dog. Counsel your child to never scream or run away from a dog that shows these signs as this may trigger his prey instinct to go after the child.

Never allow your child to tease or taunt a dog, especially if he is eating or protecting a high value item such as his food bowl, a bone, or a toy. Never assume that your dog is foolproof around your child. Ultimately, your responsibility is to supervise your child when he or she is interacting with your dog.

And last but not least, always spay and neuter your pet. Altered dogs are far less likely to bite than unaltered dogs.

About Cheri Lucas
Cheri Lucas is the founder and president of Second Chance at Love Humane Society, a no-kill dog rescue in Templeton, California. In 1999, Cheri began mentoring under Cesar Millan. She has since appeared on five episodes of Dog Whisperer and has been a guest on Sessions with Cesar. Cheri is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

For her full biography, click here.
Visit her website at www.CheriLucasDogBehavior.com.

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Sun, 07/11/2010 - 10:28am — Debra Cochrane

Dog bites

I think that it is always the owners responsibility to ensure that children know how to behave around dogs. My daughter is 5 and I have spent the time since she was old enough to talk and understand drilling it into her head that you do not tease a dog, but them, hurt them, and that she needs to be the pack leader.

She is nervous around strange dogs, which I believe is a good thing since she shows caution around them. She knows that they can bite and that she should always ask the owner if she can pet them before petting them. She always holds her hand out in a fist facing down position and lets the dog smell her hand before she tries to pet it. If the owner says no it isn't a good idea, then she says okay, thank you and moves on.

I have seen parents allowing 9 year old girls walk dogs that are much bigger than them and when the dog wants to attack another dog, the child is not strong enough to hold the dog back. This has happened to a girl that I work with and her dog was the brunt of the attack.

Parent need to be more responsible for their dogs actions. Since a dog lives in the now and not what will happen if I do this...

My heart brakes every time I hear of an attack since the dog will be put down and the child will live in fear of being attacked again.

Wed, 05/19/2010 - 8:19am — Shannon.

Dog Bites

Wow, I had no idea there were that many dogs bites happening each year still. I want to thank you for your concise yet comprehensive article. These are some great practical tips and I hope potential dog owners take your advice.

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Sun, 05/16/2010 - 4:15pm — tamlynel

dog bites

I would like to add "let sleeping dogs lie." My daughter surprised our cocker spaniel with unfortunate results. So kids leave them alone when they are sleeping.

Fri, 07/09/2010 - 12:21pm — anji

I Agree!

My miniature dachshund was sleeping (burrowed under the covers) my son, which was 9yr old at the time, pulled the covers up and put his head under the covers to play with him. Charlie (my doxie) snipped at him bitting a portion of his top left lip off! It was devistating!!! He had to be rushed to the hospital and have a plastic surgeon repair his lip....I didn't sleep for 2 days! The surgeon did an amazing job, but it will never take the scar away or the effects it had on my son and my family! Charlie is a loving affectionate dog, who was unfortunately sleeping, startled and didnt have good view of what was coming at him! PLEASE PARENTS YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL OR TEACH TOO MUCH!!!

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 3:47pm — greyghostnh

Thank you for a great article

Unfortunately, I've seen too many parents who do not try to teach their children how to act properly around dogs, especially dogs they are not familiar with. They "assume" every dog is friendly. Some parents think a dog should unquestionably tolerate all behavior from children (rough play, teasing, etc.) to be considered a good "family dog".

We have two rescues, both whom have had bad experiences being raised around children. One is a Golden Retriever who was severely abused by children; the parent did not supervise their child or the child's friends. He was facing euthanization because he bit one of the children abusing him. They would stab him with sharpened sticks through the wire crate he lived in, to watch how "mean" he could be.

Even if the owner tells a child how to behave around their dog, sometimes children still do not listen to the instructions they're told. They're children, not adults. It's up to the owner to completely control the situation, not only to protect the child, but their dog as well.

The laws do not consider the circumstances surrounding a bite—whether or not it was the child's fault, if a bite occurs, the dog will be blamed.

I'm speaking from personal experience. I hope more parents will read this article and make an effort to teach their children how to behave and act around all dogs, for everyone's benefit.

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 8:56am — ksecord

Children and dog bites

In conjunction with Cheri's comments, I would also suggest giving children some guidance for meeting dogs out in public. They may be so comfortable with their own dog, that they forget to use all the same precautions when meeting a new dog out and about. When you see an appealing friendly dog out with owner, ask the owner first if you can pet the dog. And even after the permission, watch and read the dog and do the same thing where you let the dog sniff you first.

Sun, 05/16/2010 - 7:42am — GWPRescue

Be a tree Program-Dog Gone Safe

As a licensed presenter for Dog Gone Safe, may I suggest those interested in learning about this program visit
http://www.doggonesafe.com/

This programs is geared for preschool-2nd grade, which is the age that most dog bites occur. It is an interactive seminar that has huge visuals to show the children on body language, tools that are age appropriate, games to reinforce these tools.

Sharing in our communities with such a tremendous program with everything an interested individual would need to help those children in their community learn these valuable lessons.