Each year, an estimated 4.7 million people are victims of a dog bite, and more than half are children younger than 14 years old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. And when kids are bitten, the injuries tend to be more serious because kids are smaller and are often bitten around the head and neck. How can you make sure you keep your kids safe around dogs? Here are some basic rules of dog bite prevention to teach your grade-schooler:
What to teach your child about unfamiliar dogs:
- Do not approach, pet or play with a dog unless the dog's owner and you or another caregiver are supervising. Allow the dog to sniff him before attempting to pet the dog.
- Never bother a dog that is eating, sleeping or caring for puppies. (This goes for the family pet and other familiar dogs, too.)
- Don't run past a dog. (Dogs instinctively chase things, so this may cause a dog to see your child as a target.)
- Don't scream at a dog or run at the animal. Never try to sneak up on a dog.
- If a dog displays threatening behavior such as growling and barking, stay calm, don't look the animal directly in the eyes, and don't run. Stand still or back away slowly.
- If knocked over by a dog, curl up into a fetal position with her arms over her head to protect her face.
Precautions to take with your family pet:
Not all dog bite incidents involve unfamiliar dogs. Many reported dog bite injuries are caused by a family pet. Some tips to keep in mind to prevent dog bites at home:
- When choosing a breed, talk to your veterinarian about what type of dog is best for your family.
- Train your dog to obey basic commands such as "sit," "stay," "no" and "come."
- Watch for signs that your pet is feeling stressed (tucking its tail low, turning its head away) or aggressive (growling, baring its teeth, lifting its tail and ears).
- Teach your child not to wrestle or play aggressive games with your dog such as tug-of-war.
- Neuter your dog. Studies have shown that dogs who are neutered are much less likely to bite.
- Make sure your dog is vaccinated against rabies and other diseases and take him to the vet for regular checkups. Your pet's health and well-being can affect his behavior.
- Tell your child to let you know right away about any nips or bites, no matter how small or accidental.
If your child is bitten by a dog, seek medical treatment right away. If the dog bite was inflicted by your family pet, talk to your vet about how to prevent future occurrences. If it was an unfamiliar dog, get as much information as you can about the dog (especially its vaccination and medical records) and relay that information to your pediatrician.
