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Dog Bites – How to Avoid Them
(No. 2 Emergencies at Children’s Hospitals in the USA)**
Safety Tips for Kids
Even a nice dog may try to (show dominance or) protect himself with a growl and a nip at certain times. Biting is a dog's natural way of protecting (and positioning) himself (in your “pack”). Since dogs sometimes see kids as equals, they may try to send them a warning, doggy-style, when things get tense. Here's how to avoid misunderstandings with your own or anyone else's dog.
- Always ask a dog's owner if you may pet the dog.
There may be a very good reason why a dog should not be touched. He may be "on duty" as a handicapped person's assistance dog, or he may be injured, ill, or afraid of children.
- Approach a dog from the front or side.
Hold your hands low and speak softly. Surprising a dog from behind, forcing him into a corner, waving hands in the air or screaming may overexcite him, causing him to snap in fear or even in play.
- Let a dog eat in peace.
If there's one place a dog may get defensive, it's at the food dish. Your dog shouldn't growl when you get near his dish, but you shouldn't interfere with his eating.
- Watch out for special toys.
Some dogs have powerful feelings for their balls or chew toys. Never take a bone or toy from a dog's mouth unless you have trained him to drop it and give it to you first.
- Avoid teasing, (no)* wrestling, or tug-of-war games.
Dogs may get too enthusiastic in these sorts of games and forget you're not a dog. Fetch, Frisbee, hide and seek, agility courses, and fly balls are better outlets for your dog's energy.
- Respect a dog's space.
Dogs naturally defend their territories. Sticking your hand inside a strange dog's pen or in a car window where a dog is sitting may put him in a defensive situation and he might bite to protect his territory.
- Leave fighting dogs alone.
Do not try to break up a dogfight! Most fights end quickly, but it's a good idea to remain quiet and get an adult who can stop the fight with a garden hose or lemon juice in a squirt bottle. Trying to separate (them may get you bit)* or yelling at fighting dogs makes them more excited, and they might turn on you.
- Observe dog body language.
Dogs normally resort to biting only when they think you haven't listened to their warnings. Watch out for a dog that is barking, growling, or showing his teeth. Beware if his ears are back, legs, stiff, tail up, or hair standing up on his back. Slowly walk (back)* away (without staring at him)* and say "No" firmly, arms by your side. Do not scream, stare into his eyes, or run away. If you run, he will chase you and may attack.
- Tell your friends what you know.
When friends come to your house, introduce them to your dog and explain the house rules. When you're out, share your knowledge. The more everyone knows about dogs, the better world it will be for dogs and people.
The above is an excerpt from The Complete Dog Book for Kids, a publication of The American Kennel Club.
AKC Web Site http://www.akc.org/love/dah/tips.cfm
** Weiss HB, Friedman DI, Coben JH. "Incidence of dog bite injuries treated in emergency departments,” JAMA 1998;279:53
* Items In parentheses added by Walt Kelly, Behaviorist and Trainer
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