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Tips on Preventing Dog Bites

Each year there are more than 4.7 million bites reported, and 800,000 of these people need to seek medical attention for dog bites. About half of these are children. Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency department and about a dozen die. These numbers are staggering, yet preventable.

Here are some tips:

Dogs and Children

Before you get a dog, seek the advice about dog is right for your family and your lifestyle.
Dogs with histories of aggression are not appropriate in households with children.
Be sensitive to cues that your child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog and, if so, delay acquiring a dog.
Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog into the home of an infant or toddler.
Children should tell an adult if they see a stray dog or a dog acting strangely.
Adults should never leave an infant or young child alone with any dog, not even the family pet.
Children should never approach a dog unless supervised by an adult.

Socializing Your Dog

Properly socialize and train any dog entering the household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose abdomen and relinquishing food without growling).
Train and socialize your dog so that he/she is comfortable being around people, including friends, neighbors and children.
Train your dog to consistently obey basic commands such as "stay," "sit," and "come."
Don't play with a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
Never play "attack" games with your dog. He/she won't always understand the difference between play and real-life situations.
Don't put your dog in situations where it may feel threatened or be teased.
If your dog exhibits behavior such as growling, nipping or biting—even on an occasional basis—seek professional advice from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist or skilled dog trainer.

Healthy Dogs are Happy Dogs

Keep your dog healthy with regular check-ups and a vaccination program tailored to your dog's needs.
See a veterinarian promptly if your dog is sick or injured. Illness and pain can make a dog more likely to bite.
Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs who have NOT been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than are dogs who HAVE been spayed or neutered.

Confining Your Dog

Follow leash laws. Don't let your dog roam freely.
Confine your dog in a fenced yard or dog run when it is not in the house. Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior.
When a letter carrier or other service person comes to your door, be sure your dog is safely restrained or confined in another room before opening the door. Don't allow your dog to bark, jump against the door, or bite the mail as it comes through the mail slot; this will only teach your dog to attack the letter carrier.

Dealing with Unfamiliar Dogs

Never approach a dog you don't know or a dog who is alone without his owner, especially if the dog is confined behind a fence, within a car, or a chain.
Don't disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
When approached by a dog you don't know, don't run or scream. Instead, stand still with your hands at your sides and do not make direct eye contact with or speak to the dog.
If a dog attacks, you may be able to decrease injury by "feeding" him your jacket, purse, bicycle or anything else that can serve as a barrier between you and the dog.
If you are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears. Lie still and keep quiet until the dog goes away. Teach children to "lie like a log" until a dog goes away.

By Anne Zastrow, Board President