Avoiding Dog Bites

How can I avoid being bitten by a dog?

o Never approach a strange dog, especially one who’s tied up or confined behind a fence or in a car.

o Don’t pet a dog, even your own, without letting him or her see and sniff you first.{{more}}

o Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch fleeing prey.

o Don’t disturb a dog while he or she is sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy, or caring for puppies.

o Be cautious around strange dogs. Always assume that a dog who doesn’t know you may see you as an intruder or as a threat.

What should I do if I think a dog may attack?

o Never scream and run. Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.

Remain motionless with your hands at your side until the dog loses interest in you, then slowly back away until he or she is out of sight.

o If the dog does attack, “feed” him or her your jacket, purse, or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog.

o If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.

Recommendations for managing interactions of children and dogs:

1. Don’t expect children to be responsible for pets and show discretion in their handling until they are old enough, usually over 6-8 years of age.

2. Teach children to avoid all unknown animals, especially if sick or injured.

3. Teach children not to become physically involved in animal fights; make sure they know to get an adult involved instead.

4. Teach children to be responsible pet owners.

o Walks: have them accompany adults while they walk the dog on a leash.

o When children are old enough to walk the dog, initially have adults accompany them to reinforce appropriate behaviours.

o Involve children in medical care, so that they know and understand the importance of vaccinations etc.

5. Teach children to respect all dogs, especially if the dog is eating, sleeping, eliminating or with puppies.

6. Teach children never to startle, mistreat, or tease a dog.

7. Teach children never to run from a dog or to shout or make barking sounds at a dog, particularly in a fenced yard, an unknown dog or a dog in a car.

8. Teach children not to reach over fences, or into runs, fences, cars, kennels or crates, or to run or ride their bicycles back and forth in front of these locations.

9. Separate dogs and children when particularly tempting food is easily available and when events might be provocative and unpredictable.

10. Monitor children’s interactions with dogs, especially if a new child is involved or children or dogs are tired, upset or ill.

Warning signs in dogs that can indicate distress associated with children.

1. Drastic change in the dog’s normal behaviour for example, withdrawal or increased circling and patrol behaviour, changes in the amount or character of vocalization, that is barking, pleasure sounds etc.

2. Change in appetite, especially if the dog will only eat in the absence of the child, or if the dog suddenly shows food guarding behaviour.

3. Increased reactivity of pets for example, barking, growling, and lunging at little or nothing.

4. Changes in sleeping / resting activity and locations.

5. Increase in or appearance of gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhea, associated with stress.

6. Signs of separation anxiety only when left with children for example vocalization, destruction, elimination, salivation, increase or decrease in movements.

7. Frank aggression, even without a specific diagnosis in the presence of children.

For further information, contact: Dr Collin Boyle
Unique Animal Care Co. Ltd.
Tel: 456 4981
Website: www.uniqueanimalcare.com