Safety Tips for Children and Unknown Dogs

There are always stories in the media about dog attacks on children. In some of them the children suffer very severe injuries or even death. So many of these cases could be avoided if the child had been trained.

Serious dog attacks are not very common; a child is 10 times more likely to need a visit to an emergency room due to organised sports than a dog attack, but we can reduce the chance of serious injury to the child by making them aware of the dangers and drilling into them what to do, and what not to do, when facing an unknown dog.

An unknown dog may or may not have been well trained, it may have been teased by children, it may have been abused as a puppy, it may just have an unpredictable temperament or it may be the nicest animal in the world. However, if you do not know what the particular dog is like you should always be wary. Children, especially if they have a nice dog, will always assume that every dog is as friendly and good with children as their own pet and this is really not always the case.

Training tips for the kids:

·         Never approach an unknown dog. If the dog has an owner attached to it, ask the owner if the child can pat the dog and listen to the owner’s response. I have heard in the waiting room a dog owner say to a child and its parent  “No, my dog is not good with children” and then the parent still encouraged the child to touch the dog saying “but (child’s name) is soooo good with dogs”.

·         Never go onto a dog’s territory without the owner present. The dog’s territory may be it’s

 backyard or pen. However, if the dog is tied up it’s territory is as far as the lead will reach.

• When patting the dog offer the back of your hand initially for a sniff. Pat on the neck or chest as a pat from above may be interpreted as a sign of dominance. Teach your children to avoid fast or jerky movements.
• Do not tease dogs. If the dog can slip the leash or get to the child by jumping the fence etc, then the child is in danger. Also, this encourages dogs to be aggressive and dislike children.

If you are threatened by a dog

·         “Be a tree” when the dog approaches. Stand straight with feet together, fists under the neck and elbows into the chest. Do not make eye contact as some dogs view this as a challenge. Do not run- this may trigger the dog to chase and bite. Most dogs would just sniff and leave, you then back away slowly.

·         If attacked “feed” the dog a jacket or backpack, try to block the dog with whatever you have e.g. a bike. This may stop the teeth actually connecting with flesh.

·         “Be a log” if knocked down: face down, legs together, curled into a ball with fists covering the back of the neck and forearms over the ears. This position protects vital areas and may prevent a fatality.

Role of the dog owner

·         Socialise and train your dog as soon as you get him. Start as young as possible to socialise your puppy. There are many puppy pre schools and dog training clubs available to help in this. Get advice if you see aggressive tendencies.

·         Desexing reduces the dominance of a dog. There really are not that many undesexed females waiting for the attentions of your dog. He is frustrated, not satisfied, by having high levels of testosterone in his system.

·         Don’t take the dog off leash if it is aggressive with people or other animals. I know this sounds too basic to need to be stated, but often dog attacks are done by serial offenders. Don’t put the dog in a situation that puts other animals or people at risk.

Finally, most dogs are good animals. However, their instinct is to respond to a perceived threat.

Teach your children what behaviours can be threatening and how to avoid them.         Rosalie