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