Saturday, June 18, 2022

How to Prevent Dog Bites in Children

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Preventing Dog Bites in Children Published by Alpha Dog Training https://www.alpha-dog-training.slc.com Preventing Dog Bites in Children According to a 1994 study by Mathews and Lattal, approximately one million dog bites occur every year in the United States. According to the study, 60-70% of those involve children. Boys are bitten more often than girls and a third of the dogs that attack children are owned by the family. A study done in 1975 indicated that 87% of biting dogs are intact males and most dog bites occur in or near the victim's home. Another study in 1989 indicated that 70% of the children who were killed by dogs were under the age of 10 and 22% were under the age of one year with 7% being sleeping infants.
What Parents Need to Teach Their Children 1. NEVER disturb any dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies. 2. NEVER pet a dog, even your own, without letting him see and sniff you first. 3. Children must always ASK PERMISSION from the owner and their parents BEFORE petting any dog. I never allowed my children near strange dogs much less pet them. 4. If the owner cannot control the dog and have it SIT nicely for the child to pet, WALK AWAY. 5. NEVER approach a dog who is confined behind a fence, within a car, or on a chain. 6. NEVER TEASE any dog by poking at them through fences or car windows or reaching your arm through to pet them. 7. NEVER approach a strange dog you don't know or a dog who is not with his owner. 8. NEVER RUN away from a dog that is chasing you. STOP, STAND STILL, REMAIN CALM, ARMS AT YOUR SIDES, be quiet, and DO NOT SCREAM. Walk away SLOWLY FACING THE DOG BUT NOT STARING AT its eyes. 9. If a dog attacks, "feed" him your jacket, a schoolbook, a bicycle, or anything else that you can get between you and the dog. 10. If you are attacked, STOP, CURL UP IN A BALL LIKE A TURTLE, COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR ARMS AND HANDS. 11. Do not chase after dogs. 12. Do not scream and be loud around dogs. 13. Children should not stare into the eyes of a dog. 14. If a dog starts to circle you, turn with it, don't let it get behind you. 15. If the dog shows aggressive behavior (i.e., barking or growling) put something between you and the dog, like a chair. 16. Just because a dog wags its tail does not mean it's friendly. 17. Always ask the owner of a dog if it is OK to pet their dog. 18. If you are in an area with a stray dog - leave that area. 19. If a dog approaches, you remain calm and motionless. Keep your hands at your side. Speak with a soothing voice. 20. If a dog is injured do not touch or try and help it. Go get an adult. If you own any dog, but especially a dog that has had the smallest amount of aggression or protection training, it is your moral and legal obligation to make sure that you do everything possible to ensure that your dog is never in a situation where it could bite a child.

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