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Dog Bite Prevention
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Many people require medical attention
for dog bites and about a dozen people die from dog bite injuries. Most dog
bites can be prevented. Teach your children not to approach strange
dogs. If you own a dog or have children, here are some tips to help
keep everyone safer.
Keep Your Children Safe
Teach your children basic dog safety:
Never approach a strange dog, especially one who’s tied or confined behind
a fence or in a car.
Never turn your back and run away from a dog. Don’t scream. Try to stay calm.
Be still like a tree: When approached by an unfamiliar dog, stay calm and
still with your hands at your sides. Do not make eye contact with any dog.
Eye contact with a dog is confrontational behaviour.
Be still like a log: If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still
with your hands over your ears.
Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult. Do not tease or chase
any dog.
Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.
Tips for Dog Owners
Dogs who spend a lot of time alone or chained up can become frustrated and
dangerous so make sure your dog is walked often and not left alone for long
periods of time. Dogs who are well-socialized and supervised are much less
likely to bite. If you are at work for the best part of the day employ
a dog walker to break the monotany of being home alone for your dog. To
help prevent dog bites, make your dog is part of your family!
Bite prevention can be achieved with training. Reliable obedience must
be gained, and awareness of your dogs nuances in body language in any given
situation can help to iradicate potential problematic behaviour.
Dogs with a history of aggression are not appropriate for households with
children.
If your child seems afraid or apprehensive about a dog, it is wise to delay
bringing one into your home.
Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Research the type of
breed you would like, remember training and socialisation take time and effort,
make sure you have plenty of both. Use caution when bringing a dog or puppy
into the home of an infant or toddler. Never leave infants or young children
alone with any dog.
Spay/neuter your dog; this frequently reduces aggressive tendencies.
Properly socialize and train your dog. Teach the dog submissive behaviors
such as rolling over to expose its abdomen and relinquishing food without
growling. All members of the household need to be above the dog in the
hierarchy of the pack.
Do not play aggressive games with your dog like wrestling or tug-of-war as
this increases the prey drive.
If Your Dog Does Bite, Take Responsible Actions
Confine your dog immediately. Check on the victim and seek medical attention.
Seek professional help to prevent your dog from biting again. Put a muzzle
and lead on the dog every time he is out in public.
Consult with your veterinarian, who may refer you to an animal behaviourist
or a dog trainer.
