How Children Can Avoid Dog Bites

Many dogs wind up being branded as “bad with kids” after a snap, scratch or bite to a teeny toddler. We are often very quick to banish the dog to a far corner of the house, give him to a childless household or, in some cases, opt for euthanasia. There may be alternatives available to restore peace and harmony to your home.

Dog bite prevention is the best way to avoid having to make painful decisions about the residents of your household. Always remember that any dog can bite at any time. Some breeds may have a tendency to be more aggressive, but that doesn’t mean your gentle little poodle can’t turn into Cujo without provocation.

Small children should not be left unattended with the family dog. When a dog bites a small child it is often a devastating injury since the child’s face tends to be about eye level to a dog. A dog that was content having a child crawl all over him may change his mind about that being acceptable as the child grows and gains weight. As a child becomes naturally more curious, he may start poking at the dog’s eyes, pull on his gums or yank on his tail. The dog’s response is to snap or bite, especially if he can’t readily escape.

Ami Moore, a Chicago dog trainer, believes over stimulation is another reason an otherwise tolerant dog will bite. “A dog from a quiet household can be overwhelmed when there is a party or a group of small children crowding him.” As a result, Ami Moore recommends keeping dogs away from a large number of party guests. “Kennel him if you have to in order to ensure the safety of your dog and your guests.”

Ms. Moore also suggests keeping your dog active so he doesn’t wind up with nervous energy to burn. “I’ve seen dogs that aren’t confident to start with bite with minimal provocation simply because they need an outlet.” Finally, she can’t stress enough the importance of reinforcing the dog’s position in the family is below the children. “The second the dog believes he is at the top of the hierarchy, you are going to have problems.”

To avoid bites, exercise your dog regularly and make sure he knows you and the children are superior to him in the family “pack.” You reinforce this by feeding him at regular intervals (no free feeding) so he is reminded of his dependence on you for survival. Allow the children to give him treats as rewards for good behavior, and include the dog in as many activities as he can handle.

Always keep him leashed, train him to come when called, and train your children how to behave around the dog. “Discourage climbing on the dog and tail pulling. The dog may see that as an invitation to play or worse, he may be irritated. Either way, it is an entirely preventable bite if the dog chooses to lash out.”