Life & Style

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Dog sense

Reviewing safety tips may prevent your kids from getting bitten, even by animals they know and like

By: Morieka Johnson

Posted: 08/28/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Enlarge Image

Enlarge Image

Even if your child is comfortable around pets, it pays to discuss safety tips as they return to school. Nearly half the estimated 800,000 dog bites that occur each year involve children between the ages of five and nine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dog trainer and TV show host Victoria Stilwell of It's Me or the Dog on Animal Planet offers seven things kids need to know about safely interacting with dogs on their way to school.

Not every dog is your friend: Kids often mistake wagging tails for happiness -- and that isn't always the case, Stilwell says. Help kids recognize when a dog is showing signs of aggression or fear. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA.org) offers photos that illustrate canine body language and tips to avoid dog bites. There's also a printable handout that kids and parents can share with classmates.

Even if kids know the dog, they should avoid approaching, hugging, staring or showing teeth. Stilwell says these actions can cause pressure for a dog, leading to growling or biting. Stilwell says her eight-year-old daughter has learned that it's best to ignore dogs during initial meetings.

"She waits for the dog to come to her," she says. "If the dog wants to have a relationship with her, she looks for fluid body language that she can read and we do it on the dog's terms."

Embrace your inner tree (or rock): Dogs lose interest when they are ignored, so Stilwell tells children to become a tree, standing still and avoiding eye contact when dogs approach. If kids get knocked to the ground, advise them to roll up like a stone on the ground with knees in and hands behind their neck so they protect vital organs. Practice makes perfect.

Avoid running from loose dogs: If possible, slowly walk away from the dog. But Stilwell says to avoid freaking out and making high-pitched noises. Whatever happens, do not run. Remember to ignore dogs by becoming a tree or a rock.

Report loose or stray dogs: If kids see a stray dog during walks to school, remind them to alert an adult. Stilwell says that parents should report loose dogs to animal control immediately. "There are so many irresponsible dog owners out there and these people need to be reported," she says.

Be careful when walking on a dog's "turf": Many owners rely on electric fences or shock collars to keep dogs confined to their own yards. But Stilwell notes that kids and other animals can easily cross those invisible boundaries -- and that's often when the trouble occurs. "Mostly children are bitten on the dog's territory by a dog that they know," she says. "It's rare for a child to be bitten by a dog that comes out of nowhere and bites them."

Never touch dogs behind a fence: Tell kids to exercise caution and avoid taunting or exciting dogs behind fences, Stilwell says. Remember, that fence may not be too sturdy, and some determined dogs can jump over fences without any trouble.

Taunting dogs is a form of bullying: "Being kind to animals is much more powerful than teasing, bullying, or being rough or unkind to these creatures," Stillwell says. "How would you feel if you were teased or bullied or hit?"

-- Distributed by MCT Information Services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 28, 2012 C5

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More Life & Style

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.