Prevnting Dog Bites in Young Children

"The mean doggie bit my tushy!" is still something of a meme in my family, a running joke that we bring up a few times a year. It refers to my hysterical utterances following an incident some twenty-two years ago, when a doberman pinscher pinned my then-thirty-pound body to the ground and ripped viciously into my rear end. As funny as it is in retrospect, the incident was serious-- and it's by no means rare. More than half of children will experience a dog bite by age 12, according to the ASPCA. As someone still bearing the scars from a dog bite in my early childhood, I'm very careful now to make sure to take precautions to prevent my young daughter from suffering a similar injury.

Here are some of ways that parents and dog owners can prevent dog bites.

Keep your dog restrained around children until you know how he will behave.

My friend's five-year-old daughter was attacked by a dog who fractured her skull and caused her to require extensive brain surgery. The dog was a "good dog" but had never been around children and his owners didn't know that he was unfriendly toward them. If you don't know how well your dog reacts to young children, keep him leashed and muzzled during his first few interactions with them. You can gradually switch to leashed and then supervised interactions with kids, but don't allow your dog unrestrained around young children until he is comfortable with them, both generally and individually.

Teach young children to respect a dog's territory. 
A few weeks ago, my daughter started to reach through a chain-link fence to pet a barking dog, but I immediately pulled her back and explained that she should never, ever do that. Children should be aware that dogs in parked cars, dogs on chains, and dogs behind fences are likely to attempt to defend their territory, even if they are normally very friendly. Explain to your child that a dog might see a child as a burglar trespassing into his home, and that even good dogs will bite if they think they need to defend their homes and families. Even a three- to four-year-old can likely understand this concept.

Instruct children to avoid strange dogs.

My daughter once saw a stray dog wandering the parking lot of our apartment complex and immediately asked to pet him. This was a perfect opportunity to tell her about the dangers of approaching unknown dogs. Remind your children that they should never attempt to pet a dog they do not know personally unless the owner is present and grants permission. A stray dog may be sick or aggressive. Without an owner to confirm that the dog is safe, a dog is best left alone or left for grown-ups to handle.

 Explain dogs' body language to kids.

Children can sometimes intuitively understand the body language of dogs, but you should still be sure to remind kids of how dogs communicate-- and to teach them to respect boundaries when the dog indicates it wants to be left alone. Describe the dog's language as your child interacts with him. "See how the fur on his back is raised? That means he's angry, so leave him alone," is an important lesson. Also point out to your child that most dogs don't like to be hugged, that they want to sniff a closed hand before being pet, and that they interpret eye contact as a threat. You can try role-playing as a dog to teach some of these important safety lessons.

 Don't be afraid to tell a child "no" when she asks to pet your dog. 
Suppose you have a sweet, friendly shih tzu who has never bitten anyone in her life, and a child at the vet's office asks to pet her. You may be nearly 100% certain that it would be safe, but your dog may react unpredictably to the stress of being in an unfamiliar place and meeting an unfamiliar person. The same applies when you are at the park or walking on the street. "Almost" certain isn't quite good enough when you're wondering if your dog can safely interact with a child. If you have any doubts, simply say no. Slight disappointment is far better for a child than serious injury.

If your dog is unusually aggressive or unfriendly toward children, it's a good idea to get in touch with your veterinarian and local animal control officers for advice on keeping your dog calm and avoiding confrontations with children. Schedule an appointment to talk with your veterinarian if you have specific concerns about your dog's behavior around kids.

Pet Safety Tips for Kids

Every year, dozens of children are injured-- or, rarely, killed-- by their own pets. From aggressive dogs to salmonella-carrying turtles, domesticated animals can pose a serious threat to the well-being of your child. My own preschool-age daughter has lived with several pets, from tropical fish to cats, but she understands all the rules of interacting with living animals.

Here are seven important tips to keep your child (and pet) safe.

1. Respect an animal's feelings.

Your child needs to know that it's unsafe (and cruel) to mistreat a living animal. Make sure that your child understands not to pull a dog's tail, dress up the family cat, or cram a gerbil into a sock drawer. Your child needs to respect an animal's feelings to avoid serious injury to the pet or the kid.

2. Read the animal's cues.

If a pet is growling, hissing or bristling its fur, your child needs to understand that this is a threat. Your child can stay safe by heeding these warnings and backing away if the animal displays these behaviors.

3. Do not harass an animal.

If an animal is eating or sleeping, your child should know to leave the animal alone. When bothered while eating or sleeping, many otherwise-docile animals will lash out and attack children.

4. Pet the right places.

Many children trigger an animal's aggression without meaning to do so. Teach your child to stroke the head, neck, back and sides of cats, dogs and rabbits. Although some dogs like to be rubbed on the belly, others do not. Most cats and rabbits will scratch or bite when stroked on the belly.

5. Avoid bacteria.

Do not buy a pet reptile for a a child under the age of twelve. Reptiles often carry salmonella, which is easily transmitted to young children. Some birds and amphibians can also carry salmonella. Teach your child to wash her hands after handling a pet, its bedding, or any used litter.

6. Avoid strangers.

Your child probably knows not to accept rides or candy from strangers. He should also know not to approach a dog or cat who he doesn't know. Teach your child that these animals may be sick or abused. They can either injure the child or transmit a disease. If your child does find a stray or injured animal, he should know to ask a grown-up for help before trying to "rescue" it.

7. Be responsible.

Teach your child the Golden Rule, even as it applies to animals. If she mistreats a pet, the animal is likely to remember and to retaliate, even later on. A pet will be a lasting, loving companion only if he is treated with respect and responsibility by the humans in his life.

Worst Kinds of Dogs for Families with Kids

What childhood is complete without at least one cherished canine companion? Most Americans grow up with at least one pet, and dogs tend to be well-loved (and, later, well-remembered) members of a child's family. But, unfortunately, not all dogs are cut out for life with kids. There are exceptions within every breed, but here are the five types of dog that you'll tend to want to avoid adopting if you have you have kids.

1. Collies: They Nip!

The collie is not one breed, but is instead a name given to any of dozens of herding dogs, most notably including the rough collie and the border collie. "Lassie" aside, collies are not ideal family pets. A collie's tendency to "herd" children by following and nipping them can be very difficult to manage and can often get out of hand, leading to increasingly difficult behavior as the dogs try to control their unruly "sheep." Although it's possible to handle collies herding children, it's a challenge that most kids and most parents aren't equipped to handle.

2. Pit Bulls: A Bad Rap?

Like collies, pit bulls are not one breed, but any of several breeds with similar ancestry. And, like collies, pit bulls can be good around kids but require a lot of preparation and attention. Pit bulls certainly aren't the bloodthirsty beasts that people fear-- and the ASPCA even notes their history as "nursemaid's dogs" or nanny dogs-- but they remain among the most common dogs who attack children. This is for several reasons. One is that pit bulls are very likely to be abused, and a rescued pit bull may have an uncertain history and a tendency toward aggression. Another is that these dogs were bred to be incredibly strong and stubborn. Once a pit bull commits to biting a child or another dog, it's not likely to stop until severe damage is done. Pit bulls and kids can peacefully coexist, but the dogs need extensive training and socialization to keep them safe around kids and other pets.

3. Dalmatians: Jumpy and Nervous

Despite the charm of those polka-dotted coats and their fame from movies like "101 Dalmatians," Dalmatians are among the worst dogs to have around children because they're prone to neurotic behavior and tend to be nervous and nippy. Since many Dalmatians suffer from hearing problems and poor vision, it can make a difficult temperament even more dangerous. And, despite their portrayal as cosmopolitan dogs, Dalmatians have very high energy levels and need to be walked constantly and given massive areas of space for running. A well-socialized Dalmatian whose owners have several acres of land might do just fine with kids, but a Dalmatian in an apartment with active children is a ticking time bomb.

4. Toy Breeds: Still Not Toys

"Toy" breeds like the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, and toy poodles might seem like ideal pets for families with young children, but they're often not. These small, delicate dogs live in a world of giants, and even toddlers can look dangerous and intimidating to them. Toy breeds are also notorious for biting frequently when startled or upset, and, while a bite from a Chihuahua might not be as serious as a bite from a hundred-pound Rottweiler, it can still be painful and can pose a risk of infection. Tiny dogs are cute and may seem harmless, but they can be very sensitive and are likely to lash out when scared or hurt by a child.

5. Any Unneutered Male Dog

There is one type of dog that, by far, is responsible for almost all attacks on humans, including children. Unneutered males of all breeds are incredibly dangerous, accounting for over 92% of fatal attacks on humans. An unneutered male of a docile breed is still much more dangerous to children than a neutered male of an "aggressive" breed such as the pit bull terrier. No matter what breed or type of dog you get, make sure the dog has been neutered before allowing it around children. Unneutered male dogs belong exclusively in the hands of responsible breeders without kids-- not in family homes.

Border Collies Herding Kids? What to Do

"Baa," my six-year-old daughter insists, "I'm a sheep, and I'm going exactly where I'm supposed to go."

My border collie, crouched in a master herding position and giving her the "eye," follows the chid carefully for a few moments and, content that my daughter is where she's supposed to be, backs away. Of course, not every kid knows how to control my dog's herding instincts. When my daughter has visitors over, especially younger kids, the dog isn't allowed to play with them, and for good reason: a gentle nip on the ankle of a startled kid could quickly become an "attack" in the mind of the child, which could be bad news for both the child and the dog.

I'm not the first or last border collie owner who has tried to train my dog not to herd children. It's a problem that is universal to any home that has both collies and kids. Border collies were selectively bred over the course of hundreds of years to herd sheep and other livestock. Any good breeder will tell you that herding is not a trained behavior for border collies, although it can certainly be refined through training. It is in fact an inherited trait, programmed into her DNA along with the length of her fur and the color of her eyes. Border collies are born with an instinct to herd, whether their owners encourage it or not.

Some trainers, including those who have worked with my own nip-happy dog, say that because of this, it's absolutely impossible to train a border collie not to herd. It's part of the dog's nature, like barking and running and enjoying human company. There is no fair way to completely eliminate all herding behavior from a well-bred border collie, and even those who have been trained not to herd will still have unpredictable instincts that may kick in unexpectedly. Many a "good" border collie has been seized and euthanized for biting neighborhood children, despite having no history of aggression.

If you have a border collie and a young child, your best bet isn't to try to train the herding instincts out of your dog; that's a fool's errand. It's in your better interest instead to teach your children how to respond appropriately if the dog nips them. Many children will immediately run or scream when the dog lunges or nips at them, but this is counterproductive. It will make the dog instinctively bite harder to get this unruly "sheep" under control. Teach your children to calmly and firmly respond to nipping with an assertive, "No," and then reward your dog when she follows or "herds" children without mouthing them.

If your border collie does herd a child by nipping, divert your dog's attention elsewhere by giving her another, unrelated command, like "Find your ball," or "Sit," and reward her with a treat or praise when she successfully routes her attention elsewhere. If she continues herding children, stop the behavior with a firm, "No," and separate her from the kids. Understand that your goal isn't to turn off your dog's herding instincts-- those aren't going anywhere-- but instead to divert her attention in more productive ways.

Finally, while it's just fine for a kid who understands border collies to interact with a border collie who understands kids, bear in mind that children and dogs should never be left unsupervised. Even the best dogs with no herding instincts are prone to unpredictable behaviors, especially when they're confused or don't know the child, or when the child doesn't know how to behave calmly and respectfully around animals. As a general rule, dogs of all kinds (not just border collies!) need to be separated from youngsters except with direct adult supervision.