Preventing a Dog Bite Attack

There are nearly five million reported incidents of dog bites in the United States each year. However, it is known by researchers that many dog bite cases go unreported, either because the victim knows the owner of the dog or they did not feel the injury was severe enough for action. This can also be true when the victim is a child, and the family focuses more on the healthy recovery of their young one than on holding someone accountable.

Children More Susceptible to Dog Bite Accidents

These facts suggest that children are more susceptible to dog bites than their adult counterparts. This is not surprising, as children are less experienced and informed as to how to properly approach a dog and what warning signs to look for. While it is never a good idea to approach a dog without the owner’s consent, it also does not avoid all potential for an injury. A dog owner may be unaware that their dog is aggressive toward children.

Studies have shown that children who have been properly shown how to handle a dog by their parents are far less likely to be attacked or bitten by a dog than other children. Important tips from dog professionals on what not to do when a child is around dogs include:

• Never leave your infant, child or young teen alone with any dog breed.
• Do not approach a chained or loose, unleashed dog, especially if the dog is a male who has not been neutered.
• Limit new, first time or temporary exposure of young children and any kind of dog, but most importantly dangerous breeds of dogs.
• Avoid approaching a vehicle with dogs inside of the car or in the bed of the car or truck.

There are nearly five million reported incidents of dog bites in the United States each year. However, it is known by researchers that many dog bite cases go unreported, either because the victim knows the owner of the dog or they did not feel the injury was severe enough for action. This can also be true when the victim is a child, and the family focuses more on the healthy recovery of their young one than on holding someone accountable.

Children More Susceptible to Dog Bite Accidents

These facts suggest that children are more susceptible to dog bites than their adult counterparts. This is not surprising, as children are less experienced and informed as to how to properly approach a dog and what warning signs to look for. While it is never a good idea to approach a dog without the owner’s consent, it also does not avoid all potential for an injury. A dog owner may be unaware that their dog is aggressive toward children.

Studies have shown that children who have been properly shown how to handle a dog by their parents are far less likely to be attacked or bitten by a dog than other children. Important tips from dog professionals on what not to do when a child is around dogs include:

• Never leave your infant, child or young teen alone with any dog breed.
• Do not approach a chained or loose, unleashed dog, especially if the dog is a male who has not been neutered.
• Limit new, first time or temporary exposure of young children and any kind of dog, but most importantly dangerous breeds of dogs.
• Avoid approaching a vehicle with dogs inside of the car or in the bed of the car or truck.

Education can Prevent Dog Bite Attacks

Kids will often be around dogs without an adult present to monitor the situation. This does not mean that your child has to be at a higher risk of a dog attack. Instead, make sure to let your children know the best way to act around a dog, even when you are not there. Some tips that both children and adults should follow in order to prevent a dog bite accident include:

• Do not put your face close to the mouth of a dog.
• Never tease a dog physically or emotionally, especially when the dog is chained or loose and unleashed.
• Do not run away from a dog, thus turning your back on them.
• Avoid bothering a dog that is sleeping, eating, playing with a toy, caring for its puppies or is otherwise busy.
• Pay close attention to the dog’s body language, especially if the dog looks tense, has a stiff tail, furrowed brow, pulled back ears or head, the whites of the eyes of the dog are showing or it is staring intensely at you or backing away.

What to do if a Dog Bites

Even when these tips are followed, there is still risk that a dog can become aggressive and decide to bite. For many, this can be scary and the victim may not know what to do. If you find yourself the target of a dog attack make sure you:

• Stay calm and very still.
• Do not scream or run away, even though you may have the urge to do so.
• Remain motionless with yours hands at your sides and avoid eye contact with the dog.
• Once the dog stops focusing on you, slowly back away until it is out of sight.
• If the dog attacks, let him bite or tear your jacket, purse, bicycle or anything that you can put between yourself and the animal.
• If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless and mute.

Educating your child, self, family and other loved ones about dangerous situations with dogs, how to react and what not to do when approached by an aggressive dog can potentially prevent a dog bite accident.

Kids will often be around dogs without an adult present to monitor the situation. This does not mean that your child has to be at a higher risk of a dog attack. Instead, make sure to let your children know the best way to act around a dog, even when you are not there. Some tips that both children and adults should follow in order to prevent a dog bite accident include:

• Do not put your face close to the mouth of a dog.
• Never tease a dog physically or emotionally, especially when the dog is chained or loose and unleashed.
• Do not run away from a dog, thus turning your back on them.
• Avoid bothering a dog that is sleeping, eating, playing with a toy, caring for its puppies or is otherwise busy.
• Pay close attention to the dog’s body language, especially if the dog looks tense, has a stiff tail, furrowed brow, pulled back ears or head, the whites of the eyes of the dog are showing or it is staring intensely at you or backing away.

What to do if a Dog Bites

Even when these tips are followed, there is still risk that a dog can become aggressive and decide to bite. For many, this can be scary and the victim may not know what to do. If you find yourself the target of a dog attack make sure you:

• Stay calm and very still.
• Do not scream or run away, even though you may have the urge to do so.
• Remain motionless with yours hands at your sides and avoid eye contact with the dog.
• Once the dog stops focusing on you, slowly back away until it is out of sight.
• If the dog attacks, let him bite or tear your jacket, purse, bicycle or anything that you can put between yourself and the animal.
• If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless and mute.

Educating your child, self, family and other loved ones about dangerous situations with dogs, how to react and what not to do when approached by an aggressive dog can potentially prevent a dog bite accident.