Dog Bite Prevention
cheat sheet!
Parents should teach children the following (these apply to their own dog, other dogs that they know and strange dogs):
- Never put their faces up to a dog's face.
- Never try to take something away from a dog.
- Never go near a dog who is eating, drinking or chewing on something.
- Never approach a dog that is on a bed or furniture.
- Dogs do not like hugs and kisses. This is a major cause of facial bites to children. Read an article from a research study that supports this contention.
- Leave dogs alone that are sleeping, resting, injured, very old or with puppies.
- Do not approach dogs that are not their own, even if the dog is on leash with its handler.
- Ensure that when a child visits a house with a dog, that the dog will not be unsupervised with the children.
- Teach your child to "be a tree" when confronted with an unknown, overly friendly or hostile dog. Stop. Fold your branches (hands) and watch your roots grow (look at feet) and count in your head until the dog goes away or help comes.
- Teach your child to "be a rock" if the dog actually jumps on them and knocks them down (curl up and protect face and neck with hands and arms).
- Never approach a dog that is tied up or in a vehicle.
- Never try to pet a dog through a fence or in a crate.
- Never climb over a fence into a dog's yard, even if the dog is usually friendly.
Practice the 3-Second-Pet-Rule
Use the 3 Second Pet Rule and take little breaks when petting to ensure you are not mindlessly petting a dog when they may actually be feeling overwhelmed. When you cease petting, it will allow the dog an opportunity to choose to move away or to stay close. Giving them a choice in the matter will surely gain trust points between you both!
1. Only make contact with the dog in 3 second intervals. For more sensitive dogs, you can do one or two seconds!
2. Observe their body language and let the dog tell you what you should do next.
Does the dog move away? Is the dog stiff or still while you’re petting them relax when you stop? This indications the dog isn’t fully comfy with your petting. Refer to SPEAK DOG! for more specifics on dog body language cues.
Does the dog come closer or stay nearby when you stop petting? This shows the dog enjoyed being pet and is asking for more.
1. Only make contact with the dog in 3 second intervals. For more sensitive dogs, you can do one or two seconds!
2. Observe their body language and let the dog tell you what you should do next.
Does the dog move away? Is the dog stiff or still while you’re petting them relax when you stop? This indications the dog isn’t fully comfy with your petting. Refer to SPEAK DOG! for more specifics on dog body language cues.
Does the dog come closer or stay nearby when you stop petting? This shows the dog enjoyed being pet and is asking for more.
The Box Method
Pay attention to the dogs space when they are resting, standing or otherwise hanging out. This especially goes for when multiple people want to pet your dog at once or when your dog is in a resting spot.
The Box Method shows that a dog has four sides. When more than two sides are covered from any angle, it prevents the dog from having an escape route. This can cause a dog to feel trapped and potentially cause defensive, bitey behavior. We like to make sure dogs know when they ae uncomfortable, they can walk away.
If you, someone else or your child wants to interact with your dog but they have more than two sides blocked, call the dog out of their spot to create a neutral, inviting space. If there are multiple people or children trying to pet your dog and are surrounding all four sides, ask them to take turns.
See photo to the right -> Many people allow their children to approach the dog while the dog is resting on the couch. This can pose some serious issues from the dogs perspective. They are covered by two sides already and most of the time children come in with a lot of energy which can be threatening and prevents the dog from feeling like the can move away. This also puts the dogs face at eye level with the child. A number of face bites happen this way.
The Box Method shows that a dog has four sides. When more than two sides are covered from any angle, it prevents the dog from having an escape route. This can cause a dog to feel trapped and potentially cause defensive, bitey behavior. We like to make sure dogs know when they ae uncomfortable, they can walk away.
If you, someone else or your child wants to interact with your dog but they have more than two sides blocked, call the dog out of their spot to create a neutral, inviting space. If there are multiple people or children trying to pet your dog and are surrounding all four sides, ask them to take turns.
See photo to the right -> Many people allow their children to approach the dog while the dog is resting on the couch. This can pose some serious issues from the dogs perspective. They are covered by two sides already and most of the time children come in with a lot of energy which can be threatening and prevents the dog from feeling like the can move away. This also puts the dogs face at eye level with the child. A number of face bites happen this way.
The ABC Approach
If you, as a parent or caregiver, decide that you think it is safe for the child to approach a particular dog - teach your child the ABC approach:
A: Ask your parent and the dog handler before you pet a dog.
B: Be relaxed and non-invasive. Allow the dog to come up and smell you! That's how dogs greet people, with their noses!
C: Coochie coo on the side of or under the neck to pet the dog. Bending over or petting the dog overhead is not a gesture many dogs appreciate.
Written by Jamie Ianello, IAABC-SBA