Keeping kids safe from Dog Bites

Protecting children against dog bites, while simultaneously maintaining the animal-child relationship, one must understand the reasons for dog aggression towards children. To do this, we must enter into the spirit of the dog and try to view the child from dog's point of view.

When we take note of the imagination, we can see that canine aggression against children falls into certain clinical categories which are widely recognized. A renowned specialist in animal psychology/behavior has identified few categories of aggression.

Fear-Related/Self-Defense aggression

It's basic dog psychology that if a dog feels threatened, it is likely to attack for self defense. Even if you can find it difficult to imagine a 55 pound dog would feel threatened by a 22-pound toddler, it's only because we know that the child is not a threat to the dog.

Dogs are usually guided by their instincts. Unfortunately, a child's unpredictable, jerky movements, often loud pitch of voice and unknown, running suddenly, or fun can trigger the signal of danger to the dog which will automatically trigger a response in self defense.

Some people often forget or are even ignorant that dogs are very possessive in nature, be it to their toys, their beds, food, or even members in a family, and they keep whatever they think is rightfully theirs, often violently. This is the way the dog's way of saying," Please do not touch my things!''

Territorial aggression

Dogs are known as territorial animals. That's why they bark when they see a stranger coming to their home or when the door-bell rings. This protectiveness territorial usually increases if the dog is left alone for long periods of time with very little stimulation. In a recent article, study results have proved that that territorial aggression was the most common reason of dog bites to children.

Conflict Aggression

If someone behaves towards you in such a manner that you find offensive or even irritating, you will probably retaliate. When a dog is angry or offended (yes, dogs may feel offended), they can also bite in rage. Children often annoy dogs unknowingly because they are not aware, for example, seizing a dog face, pulling its tail, and suddenly he is awakened from a deep sleep is not considered as a nice gesture.

Steps to protect kids from Dog Bites

After learning a bit about dog's viewpoint, we can learn on how to minimize the chances that your child will get bitten by dog. I am mentioning only few tips:

• Never leave a toddler alone with a dog, even for a very short time.
• A dog who is known for biting should be kept away from children.
• Teach your children that they should not touch a stranger dog no matter how cute or great looking it may be without the supervision of adults.
• Kids must be taught how respect their pets, which includes not to disturb animals while they eat or sleep or while they are munching or playing with their toy or anything.
• Dogs should never be cornored against a wall or cabinet or in their places of rest.
• Toddlers should avoid face-to-face contact with dogs even under adult supervision.
• If confronted by a growling dog, children should learn to move away slowly and do not run.
• Puppy owners must present their puppies to a variety of other animals and children of different ages. Knowledge reduces fear from dogs.
• Dogs must not be left outside unattended for great amount of time.

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