Dog Bite Prevention Tips To Help You Keep Your Children Safe

According to the CDC around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year. Around 885,000, that’s approximately one in five, will require medical attention for their injuries. In 2006 more than 31,000 underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of a dog bite. rnHalf of all children have been bitten by a dog by the time they reach 12 years of age. Most of the time these bites are by the family dog or another dog known by the child and many times dog bites can be prevented through proper training and education. I don’t tell you this to scare you, only to point how important dog bite prevention training is. One key to dog bite prevention is training for the whole family. We need to train all members of our family about communication and how to act appropriately. About thirty nine percent of the US population owns a dog, so even if you don’t have a dog, the chances are that someone around you does, and you will spend some time with those dogs. Learn these dog bite prevention tips and teach your family how to understand and behave around dogs. Dog bite prevention tips to learn yourself: If you are planning on adding a new dog to your family, spend some time with that dog if possible before you make a final decision. Consult with a professional (veterinarian, reputable dog breeder, dog behaviorist) about your family and what dog breeds might be best suited for you. Properly train and socialize any dog living in your household starting when they are puppies, if possible. rnKeep your dog healthy by getting him regular vaccinations and check-ups. How your dog feels directly affects how it behaves, so make sure he is feeling good! If your dog develops aggressive behavior seek advice from a professional (veterinarian, reputable breeder, animal behaviorists, etc.). Never leave a baby or a young child alone with a dog, and remember, even when adults are around, dog bites may happen. Teach your children to read the cues that dogs send and how to act around dogs. Remind your children of the following dog bite prevention tips on a regular basis. rnDog bite prevention tips to teach your kids: rnNever approach a dog you don’t know. If an unfamiliar dog approaches you act like a tree – this means to stay still, keep your arms down and don’t make eye contact. Never pet a dog before letting him check you out – sniff your hand, take a good look at you - and then ask the dog’s owner if it is okay for you to pet the dog. Never make direct eye contact with a dog. Never scream or run away from a dog if one approaches you. rnNever play with a dog when an adult is not around. rnIf you see a dog acting strange immediately find an adult to tell about it. Never wrestle or play aggressive games like tug-of-war with any dog. He could get too excited and bite you. rnNever bother a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies. If a dog knocks you over, curl into a ball and lie still with your hands on tops of your head. When parents come to me looking for Anatolian Shepherd or Border Collie puppies for sale , I take the opportunity to educate them about dog bite prevention. The two keys to dog bite prevention are teaching your family how to read a dog’s body language and act accordingly, and socializing your dogs. The tips in the preceding article will help you teach your whole family to understand and react to dogs at home and around the neighborhood. Continue to remind yourself and your family about these important tips for dog bite prevention!