Head Dog Trainer Heather Dennis teaching her 5 year old nephew how to properly give treats to her three dogs. Richland County, OH
According to the CDC, half of all children 12 years and under have been bitten by a dog. The majority of bites are from a familiar dog, with 79% of attacks being fatal. Of the fatal attacks, 87% happened while the children were unsupervised. Attacks on children are not breed specific; even small dogs like Dachshunds and Pomeranians have attacked children. The CDC also reports that dog bite injuries are the second most frequent cause of emergency room care visits.
Supporting evidence suggests that dog attacks happen due to a lack of supervision of children 12 years and under, along with a child’s small size and unpredictable behavior. Problems arise when parents with small children are too busy to have time to properly care for their dog, resulting in the dog having pent up energy and lacking basic obedience. Additionally, children lack the understanding of how to safely approach and handle a dog, as well as understanding how dogs communicate being uncomfortable.
To prevent a child from being bit by a dog, parents should take their dogs through basic obedience, and establish firm rules and expectations. If the child is old enough to understand, they should be a part of the training process. When meeting dogs that are outside of the family, teach a child to ask before petting a dog they are meeting for the first time. Teach a child to stay clear of dogs who are jumping, lunging, or barking, even if the owner of the dog gives permission to pet. Teach a child to let the dog sniff and come to them before petting. When a child does pet a dog, teach them to pet with a slow, soft touch with their palms facing upward from the side of a dog’s head or under the chin, rather than reaching for the top of the dog’s head.
Children should be taught to not scream, run from, or tease a dog; even if they know the dog. Do not allow children to climb all over a dog, sneak up on a dog while sleeping, pull their tails, or approach a dog while they are eating. Teach a child never to approach a dog that is loose and running free as well as never entering a neighbor’s yard to get to a dog.
In summary, always supervise a child when a dog is present. The relationship between your child and your dog can be a fun, safe, and rewarding experience when the expectations and rules are established early. For the safety of your child, teach them how to safely interact with unfamiliar dogs, including dogs of neighbors and family friends. Through the use of the above guidelines, you can keep your child safe from dog bites and dog attacks.
