Kids and Dogs - a great mix, with these precautions

Unfortunately, there are over 4.5 million dog bites that require medical treatment in the United States each year, and most of the victims are children. Here are a few simple strategies that can help prevent your child or your dog from adding to the statistics.  

​Young children should never be left unattended with a dog, even a loved family pet. When my daughter was 9 months old she hit our dog on the nose 3 times before I could stop her. 3 times! After the third time Maggie snarled and snapped the air in my daughter's direction and my daughter immediately started crying. If I had not been present to see what happened I would have blamed my dog for what was actually a very restrained response on her part.

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Photo credit: Salvadonica Borgo del Chianti, www.flickr.com

Parents, teach your children to:
1. Stay calm around dogs - don't yell or run

• Be a tree: stand still when a dog approaches you
• Be a log: if you're on the ground, lay still with your arms over your face

2. Ask the adult before you pet a dog

• Let the dog sniff you, and pet the dog under the chin - not on top of the head
• Use an open hand to pet the dog
• Don't pull the dog's ears or tail

3. Leave stray dogs and cats alone, and don't approach dogs behind fences or in cars
4. Never tease, chase, hit, or kick a dog
5. Be a good friend to your dog

• Exercise and play safe games with your dog
• Let him or her eat and sleep in peace

6. Find an adult if dogs are fighting or a dog looks hurt

You can watch these videos from the AVMA for some fun kid-friendly examples (check out the one below).