Bite-Proof Your Children

  Brock with "Miss Blossom" Yorkie sharing ice cream in park.   Bite-Proof Your Children Warm weather means kids on the move. Children on bicycles, skates and skateboards explore new places and come into contact with different sights, sounds, people and yes, animals. . . To prevent upsetting or even tragic situations resulting from active children encountering strange dogs, teach your children these rules about how to behave around dogs. Dogs do not like to be teased. Stay away from dogs that are chained or in fenced yards. Do not shout, run around, or stick hands at dogs through fences or open car windows. Never approach a strange dog. Dogs are possessive about certain things. Do not grab things like bones, balls or other pet toys from a dog. Never stick your hand into a dog fight. Find an adult to help. Know what an angry dog looks like. Barking, growling, snarling with teeth showing, ears laid flat, legs stiff, tail up, and hair standing up on a dog's back are warning signs. If a dog looks this way, slowly walk away sideways. Shout "No!" at the dog and act like the boss. Never stare a dog in the eyes, or turn around and run away. Curl up in a ball on the ground and protect your face if a dog attacks. If bitten, tell an adult right away. Remember what the dog looked like, if it had a collar and in what direction it went. Wash the wound with soap and water. See a doctor, and report the bite to the local health department. The rewards of teaching consideration and respect for animals are children who are both humane and safe. FRIENDS OF FAIRMONT ANIMAL SHELTER P. O. Box 3247 2700 Fairmont Drive, San Leandro, CA 94578-0247 Provided by The American Humane Association

Kids and Pets

House Calls Pet Tips
Dogs and kids are very similar in a lot of ways, except for the fact that dogs have bigger teeth and most children are unable to protect themselves from a dog if needed.

So, it is not hard to follow that I have one key rule that I enforce at home: Children and dogs should never be left alone. Not even for a second. But it is important to note that just being in the room isn’t enough, as an adult and handler of the dog, you must also be engaged and close enough to act if need be.

Getting your pooch and kids used to each other isn’t complicated, however, it does require consistency and training on both the side of the dog and the child.

The dog needs to be taught to sit or lay down for praise and affection and not jump up, nudge, or even lean for attention (even leaning or nudging can knock over a small child). Help your dog by practicing the way a small child might pet. Pat the dog on their head as a kid might or tug their ears and tail gently so that they become desensitized to a child’s accidental tail or ear pull. Try to give your dog a hug. Do they seem shy or pull back? That will give you a clue that your dog is uncomfortable and guide you with how to proceed with desensitization (in this case I would start with just kneeling on the ground, then a one arm hug, then work up to a full hug).

The child also needs some training. Encourage children to not reach or lunge forward when they interact with dogs. Also, teach them to scratch under a dogs chin and not reach above a dog to pet its head. Another good thing is to have your child scratch your dog on its shoulders or back, this keeps them away from the dog’s mouth. Do keep in mind any injuries or arthritis that might cause the dog to be sore anywhere and teach your child to avoid those areas. Reward your child when they scratch nicely and make sure you demonstrate proper petting techniques as kids pick up on bad habits quickly (read: rough-housing or wrestling).

Next time: How to introduce your dog to a new baby.

Elise Faber, CPT and member IACP (www.canineprofessionals.com)