Top Tips for Teaching Children to Avoid Dog Bites

Children are some of the most common victims of dog bites. According to the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, “An estimated 3.9 million people suffer a dog bite in the United States (US) annually, with nearly 850,000 seeking some degree of medical care. Rates of dog-bite related Emergency Department (ED) visits are highest among pediatric patients, representing 158 per 100,000 visits, with a projected annual medical cost of $252 million.” Part of the issue is that children are naturally playful and curious. They often won’t perceive dogs as a potential threat, unless they’ve been attacked in the past. It is therefore important that parents teach their children safety tips to avoid dog bites.

Understanding Dog Behavior

Parents should teach their children to recognize the basic signs that a dog might feel threatened or be aggressive. These signs will nearly always indicate a dog is more likely to bite.

• Dogs may growl or bare their teeth.
• Dogs may assume a stiff body posture.
• The fur on a dog’s back may raise if they feel threatened.
• A dog may tuck its tail between its legs.

In most cases, dogs will only attack if they feel cornered. By understanding the body language of a dog, children will be better equipped to avoid attacks.

Always Ask Permission

Encourage your child to always ask permission before approaching or petting any dog that they encounter. This is important even if a dog appears friendly. Many dogs are simply not comfortable around new people or children.

Learn to Approach Dogs Calmly

Children should understand that body language is the primary way that people and dogs communicate with one another. It is always important to approach dogs in a calm manner and never from behind. When approaching a dog, allow them to sniff your hand before attempting to pet. Running at a dog can scare it, which may increase the odds it will attack.

Avoid Interrupting Dogs During Certain Events

There are certain events where interrupting a dog can be very dangerous, even for the owner of the dog. Children should be taught what these situations are.

• Don’t interrupt a dog that is eating or drinking.
• Don’t interrupt a dog that is sleeping.
• Don’t interrupt a dog that is caring for puppies.

Nearly all dogs are food aggressive by nature and very protective of their young. These behaviors can be trained out of a dog, especially if the owner starts when they are a puppy. Still, it is best to teach kids to avoid dogs during those three crucial periods.

Teach Proper Handling of Family Pets

Children should always be taught to handle family pets with love and respect at all times. Among other things, the dog’s tail should never be pulled. Children should also be heavily discouraged from roughhousing with dogs. The dog might interpret this behavior as hostile and attack.

What To Do After A Dog Bite

No matter how cautious a family or child might be, some attacks are still going to take place. After any dog bite, it is important that certain actions are taken.

• Parents should obtain contact information for the owner of the dog and verify their vaccination history.
• Parents should get their child medical treatment as early as possible.
• Parents should report the bite to the animal control authority to create an official record of what happened.
• Parents should contact an experienced dog bite injury lawyer and discuss their legal options.

Dog bites can be particularly severe for children. Many of the injuries are long-lasting. Even if a child completely heals physically, they may develop life-long post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the attack.

Getting Legal Help After A Dog Bite

The vast majority of dog attacks are preventable. They often involve owners who are negligent. This could include instances where an owner fails to safely confine their dogs. But many of these accidents can also be prevented by teaching children to safely interact with dogs.

If you or a family member has been injured in a New Jersey dog attack, you may have legal recourse. Our team of New Jersey dog bite lawyers is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need help after some incident, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to our office anytime for a risk-free consultation at 908-355-7100.