| There are certain codes of behavior and | | | | |
| etiquettes that we as people should observe | | | | Children are the victims of the majority of |
| and teach to our children with regards to | | | | dog bites. All children should learn the |
| interacting with dogs. These behaviors serve | | | | above codes, plus there are additional |
| as dog bite prevention, such that tragedies | | | | behaviors that children should learn when |
| can be avoided. | | | | dealing with dogs and dog bite prevention. |
| | | | |
| • Don't run past dogs. Especially | | | | • Children should always ask permission |
| important for children. Dogs have an inherent | | | | to meet a new dog. By asking the owner of the |
| drive called prey drive. This drive inspires | | | | dog permission, the owner is now more in a |
| them to give chase to moving objects, tennis | | | | mindset of supervisor. He will now be in |
| balls, neighborhood cats, or shrieking | | | | better control of the dog. Never should a |
| children. This doesn't mean that you cant go | | | | child run up to a new dog to make an |
| jogging, it just means that you must exercise | | | | introduction whether or not the owner is |
| caution when getting your daily exercise. I | | | | around. In fact, a child should never attempt |
| once had a running coach who instructed me to | | | | to meet a strange dog who is without an |
| stop running when I saw a dog and walk past | | | | owner. |
| until safely out of the way. I don't | | | | |
| necessarily recommend you go to this extreme | | | | • Children should learn to be calm |
| but it definitely wouldn't hurt with dog bite | | | | around dogs. Dogs will often bite as a result |
| prevention. | | | | of stress. A running, screaming child can |
| | | | cause many dogs a lot of stress. This could |
| • Allow dogs to introduce themselves to | | | | provoke a dog bite and should be avoided. |
| you. A mistake many people make is to rush up | | | | |
| to a dog to tell him hello. Many dogs see | | | | • Although children are shorter, they |
| this as an invasion of personal space and a | | | | should work to avoid being face to face with |
| threat and may react in kind. By allowing a | | | | a dog. Allow the dog to instead sniff the |
| dog to make introductions on his terms, the | | | | child's closed fist. This makes sense on a |
| level of stress he feels is much lower. By | | | | few different levels. If a dog is going to |
| lowering the amount of stress with the | | | | bite, the last body part you want near him is |
| introduction you greatly reduce the chance of | | | | the head or face. Also, the act of a child |
| a dog bite. | | | | putting his face near the face of a dog can |
| | | | be seen as a threat by the dog. This could |
| • When you allow the dog to meet you | | | | provoke a dog bite. |
| and do his obligatory sniffing, allow him to | | | | |
| sniff your closed fist instead of your open | | | | • If possible, when making |
| hand. If he does decide to bite, much less | | | | introductions to new dogs, children should be |
| damage will be done. Better to get bitten on | | | | still, higher in elevation than the dog |
| a closed fist than to lose a finger by taking | | | | (sitting in a chair or on the lap of an |
| a direct bite to your digits. | | | | adult), and calm. Allow the dog to come make |
| | | | the introduction on terms that are |
| • When a new dog is approaching to meet | | | | comfortable for him. |
| you, position your body at a sideways slant. | | | | |
| This is a much less threatening posture than | | | | • Children would be do well to feed new |
| a straight-on affront. It is a more | | | | dogs a treat. By making an immediate positive |
| submissive posture and makes a new dog feel | | | | association between child and dog you are |
| more at ease. | | | | much more likely to avoid a dog bite. |
| | | | |
| • Don't have staring contests with | | | | Above all, use common sense when dealing with |
| strange dogs. Some dogs will see this as an | | | | man's best friend. Common sense is the best |
| invitation for conflict. | | | | form of dog bite prevention. |