Kids and Dogs: Preventing a Dog Bite

 

Kids and dogs just seem to go together. There is nothing better than growing up with your best pal by your side. I loved having a dog when I was growing up. But not all dogs are kid friendly, so it is extremely important for you and your children to be able to understand when a dog, including your own, is stressed. It is also very important to teach your children to treat the family dog with respect and treat, to prevent a dog bite.

For most parents, when the family dog bites, it seems like it came out of nowhere. But dogs give warning signals that they are uncomfortable. It is our job as parents and dog owners to make sure to not only protect our children but also protect our dogs. We need to keep our dogs out of stressful situations so that they do feel the need to protect themselves. Here are a few things you can teach your kids not to do to or around the family dog or any dog. 

The Don’t To Prevent a Dog Bite:

• Never hug any dog. While we humans love hugs, dogs do not like to be hugged.
• Do not step or stand on your dog. Just like we do not like to be stepped on, neither do our dogs.
• Do not pull on any dog’ ears or tail or handle roughly. Nobody likes to be treated that way.
• Do not disturb a sleeping dog.
• Never run up to a strange dog.
• Do not yell or scream at or near your dog. Loud noises can startle a dog.
• Do not get in your dog’s face. Teach your kids that dogs need personal space just like people do.
• Do not put your hands or face near the dog’s food bowl, especially while they are eating. How would you like it if someone stuck their hands in your food?
• Do not take your dog’s toys away from them while they are chewing on them.

The Dos to Prevent a Dog Bite: 

• Always ask permission from you and from the dog’s owners before petting a strange dog.
• Play with your dog. Fetch is always a good choice.
• Get involved with training your dog. I loved teaching my dog cool tricks. Well, I still do.

Teach your kids to be polite to the dog and teach your dog to be polite to the kids and everyone can have a safe and happy life together.

 

 

 

If you would like to learn more about keeping kids safe around dogs, please contact us about our Dog Bite Safety Education program.