There are ways to spare you and your child from dog bites by teaching them early in life, whether you own a dog or not.

Good education is key and necessary.

I'm going to start this page off from part of an article from the CBS News dated back in July of 2002.

When The Dog Bites
NEW YORK, July 11, 2002

(CBS) Many people have misconceptions about which kinds of dogs are actually inclined to bite or attack, as well as what you should do if that does happen. But Early Show Contributor Debbye Turner, who is also a veterinarian, has some advice.

Most of us don't really think about getting bitten or attacked by dogs in our daily lives, but it can happen a lot more often, and quicker, than you'd ever think. Part of the problem is that we are led to believe that there are certain types of dogs that are extremely aggressive and vicious (like pit bulls) when, in fact, some of the breeds that are more likely to bite are those you'd never think about, like poodles or terriers.

About 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. One million of those need medical attention. About 750,000 children are bitten by dogs each year; in most cases, these bites are from "familiar dogs" -- not strays. Approximately 12 people die each year from dog bites

All dogs can be provoked to bite. There is really no such thing as a "bad breed." Most (if not all) dogs can be properly trained and socialized to be gentle and tolerant. Your dog should be trained to obey basic commands: sit, stay, come, and down. This alone could prevent many dog-biting incidents.

Ways To Provoke a Dog:

1. Try to take food or toy away from him. NEVER bother a dog while he is eating. The most common situation where a dog bite occurs is while a dog is eating.
2. "Surprising" a dog. (sneaking up on him or startling him while he is sleeping). Often, the dog's defense mechanism will kick in, and he will bite in self-defense.  
3. "Rough housing" with or other sudden movements toward the dog's owner. Many dogs will see this as an attack on his owner, and will attack you to defend the owner.  
4. Ignoring their warning! If a dogs barks ferociously or growls when you approach his territory, bed, etc. and you continue, that is an engraved invitation to get bitten. They are warning you that they don't like that and stop. Listen!  
5. Inappropriate touching. Dogs generally don't like their ears, tail and feet tugged. Some don't like being inverted and rubbed on their belly. This is a position of submission and an aggressive dog will resist this "challenge" vigorously.  

The Proper Way to Approach an Unfamiliar Dog:

1. First, get the "okay" from the owner.
2. Hold out your hand, fingers closed, palm down, slowly toward the dog. Allow the dog to approach your hand and sniff it.
3. Wait for the dog's "okay". If he wants your affection, he will lower his head, perk ears, or even come closer to you. If the dog puts his ears back, flat on his head, or growls, or cowers, don't pet him.
4. Pat the dog on the top of his head, or along his back. Avoid touching his belly, tail, ears, or feet. (Please Note: This is no longer recommended. The dog may feel threatened. Please always pat the dogs chest.)

What To Do If You Encounter a Seemingly Aggressive Dog:

1. Stand still. If you keep approaching, the dog will interpret this as an attack
2. Don't make eye contact. This is a challenge to the dog
3. Don't smile. The dog thinks you are "baring your teeth" at him. This is an invitation to fight.
4. Wait for the dog's owner to come and restrain the dog
5. Respect the dog's wishes! If the dog is barking and growling, he is expressing his definite displeasure with your actions. Don't push the envelope. Most dogs make good on their warnings!

What To Do If You Are Attacked by a Dog:

1. Don't move! You cannot outrun a dog, no matter how fast you are. Running only provokes an angry dog.
2. Look away. Staring an aggressive dog in the eyes is a challenge.
3. Use a soft, soothing tone of voice. Loud, angry-sounding words and screaming only spur on the dog.
4. Keep your arms to your side, with your fingers curled in so the dog can't bite them.
5. If he bites you, DO NOT PULL AWAY. This only spurs the dog on. Remain calm. Try to ram a stick, broom handle, etc down the dog's throat to make him gag and let you go. Don't hit the dog. Again, that just makes the situation worse.

NOTE: A new approach being considered is suggesting that climbing up a tree or fence might be safer than crawling into a ball. The idea behind this is if you're up high, your head and organs are above the reach of the dog. You might lose your legs, but keep your life in a severe attack.

Well, it seems as though 'dog bite prevention' is not new news and I remember my mother teaching me about staying away from strange dogs, not patting a dog on a leash without asking the owner first, and I thought this was common practice of all parents teaching their kids.

I can't even remember when we didn't have pets of all kinds, but family dogs were always in our lives. As such, we were told what made them bite, how they may perceive our actions and how to avoid being bitten.

We we also told that if we did something wrong and our dog bit us, we had it coming and not come running crying to Mommy or Daddy. We learnt respect as well as love for the animals.

As I walk Shasta, I've had many children and adults ask if it was okay to pat her, but I have also had many that didn't and assumed it was alright. I'm talking about children and adults alike. They think nothing of hugging her and although it shouldn't have to be the responsibility of the dog owner, someone has to teach these kids that perhaps Shasta will allow it, but other dogs might not and why.

Parents, I urge you to teach yourself about dog behaviour, body language and the do's and don't, then teach your kids BEFORE an accident happens. There is no time like the present to begin.

PARENTS

Did you know that 80% of dog attacks occur at home or with a known dog? Dogs are dogs, so please don't treat them as humans. You wouldn't have a youngster baby sit your children, so what makes you think you can give that role to your dog and think it's capable. It's the responsibility of all parents and dog owners to supervise all interventions with all dogs, even if it's your own. REMEMBER, any dog can bite given circumstances and it's your role to make sure that doesn't happen.

BE RESPONSIBLE

First get your dog to a veterinarian to make sure it is in good health, vaccinated and then registered. It's your responsibility to maintain it's good health.

Don't allow your dog to run at large. Keep it contained on your own premises, in the back yard and in the house.

Always keep it leashed when out in public. In many places this is bylaw as well as safety concerns for your dogs well being.

Socialize your dog as soon as possible, preferably as a puppy to people and other animals outside of your family once you get approval from your vet. This teaches it social skills.

Train your dog to be obedient and mannerly.

Carry plastic bags with you and stoop and scoop when your dog does it's business. You wouldn't like it if you or your child stepped or slid in it if it was someone else's dog. Be considerate.

Don't leave your dog chained outside or left unattended all day. A dog is a social animal and this can lead to boredom or psychological problems that can cause the dog to become unpredictable or aggressive.

Enjoy your dog  as a family member and spend plenty of time with it. 

Have your pup spayed/neutered around 5 - 6 months of age or ask your vet when he advises. There is a correlation between unaltered animals and an increase in dog bites.

Keep your dog restrained when people you don't know or anything out of the ordinary could happen, such as a serviceman needing to enter. It's best to crate the dog or put it in another room first.

Teach your dog to 'sit' and 'wait' for the command to be greeted when visitors come.

Discourage barking and jumping up on people. Not only is it annoying, but can be misconstrued as aggression. 

All family members should treat the dog the same way in regards to behaviour rules.

Teach your children to respect the dog’s own area as well as it's toys and bones.

Teach your children never to interfere with a dog while it eats, sleeps, chews a bone, is pregnant or has puppies.

Never teach a child to do anything to a family pet that you would not want the child doing to an unknown dog unsupervised. Do you really want Billy to trim Aunt Gertrude's aggressive dog's nails? Do you want your child playing tug with the 150 pound dog with issues down the street? Children who live with friendly tolerable dogs are often at greater risk because they think all dogs are tolerable. Think each step through each scenario that can put them in harms way.

Should you see signs of unusual, threatening behaviour in your dog towards another person or animal, check to find out the reason why. If it is persists call a professional, such as your veterinarian, a canine behaviour specialist and trainer for help.

TEACH CHILDREN

There are don't rules children must learn to play with a dog.

Don’t tease, scream, run or jump around with their arms waving  as this might excite the dog to play also, and that's when an excited nip or bite could take place.

Don’t make any quick moves around a dog’s head or put their own face near a dog’s head when playing.

Don't approach a dog from behind or sneak up on it. It could be sleeping and startled. Walk calmly from the front and let it see you coming.

Don't ever slap, hit or use an object on a dog. The child may call it playing, but the dog will feel threatened.

Don't ever try to stare down a dog. A challenging dog with stare at it's opponent and you don't want your child to be one.

Don't pat a dog unless you first ask the owner for permission to pat it. Let it sniff your hand and pat it on the chest, never on the head. Have your child think about if a stranger were to suddenly reach for their head and how would they would feel. 

Don't allow children to ever attempt to lift a dog when it is sick or injured. Call an adult.

If you come across a scary, strange dog on the street, here's what to do

Never try to run past a strange dog in the street or run away from it and turn your back. The dog can run faster than you. Instead, stand up tall with your arms straight down your sides and stand perfectly still, like 'a tree'. Keep your eyes away from  the dog, not directly at it and stay quiet. Wait for it to completely go before you do.

If a dog knocks you down, stay perfectly silent, curl into a ball, hands over ears, and lie like 'a log' until it goes away.

A new approach being considered is suggesting that climbing up a tree or fence might be safer than crawling into a ball. The idea behind this is if you're up high, your head and organs are above the reach of the dog. You might lose your legs, but keep your life in a severe attack.

With all of the above tell your parents, teacher or even a store clerk nearby. You've been very brave even though scared, and the adults will call the proper authorities.

TRAIN YOUR DOG

It's good to start training your pup as soon as you get it. You start off with housebreaking or toilet training it and teach it not to nip or chew. Give it plenty of chew toys as it has sharp puppy teeth that require chewing. You don't want it to chew on the furniture or your child's fingers or toes. While everything may seem cute while they are little, they grow quickly and if not taught properly, it won't be so cute once it's bigger and causing real damage. 

Next teach it the basic commands such as 'sit', 'stay' and 'come'. Training is easier if you give it it's own crate where it will feel safe in and do less damage. It may cry at first, but will find it a place of comfort as long as you never use it as a place of discipline.

Often using tiny treats that it doesn't regularly get gives you a better advantage with the training and slowly wean it off as it does multiple commands. Praise it each time it does good. Ignore it when it doesn't listen.

If you don't use  pain you can start training a puppy as soon as you have veterinary clearance. This usually involves puppy socialization classes which is nice because you can spot problems early and set up play sessions between puppies. Owners can often be panicky when they watch puppies play together as it looks rough. Experienced supervision in a puppy class can teach you what is normal and what needs work. Usually the age is around 3 months of age, but you should ask your veterinarian. Some dogs have unusual vaccination schedules, others might be starting late.

Conclusion

By teaching yourself, your children and your puppy properly, you will gain a loyal addition to the family with many years of joy. In addition, you will teach your children responsibility that puts them in a better position of staying safe.

Dog bite prevention does not come naturally. It must be taught. Be responsible whether you have a dog or not.

STAY SAFE!

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