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Teach children how to stay safe around dogs

On Behalf of | Jul 13, 2016 | Animal Bites & Attacks

It’s only natural for kids to love dogs, or at the very least be curious about them. In many cases, dogs will reciprocate, but if a dog is naturally aggressive or feels threatened it is possible that it could bite a child. As parents and caregivers, it is important to teach children how to interact with dogs appropriately in order to avoid a dog bite or limit the damage of a dog attack.

Teach Kids Respect For Dogs

While it is fun to play with dogs, they have times when they want to play, and times when they don’t. While adults can often pick up on when to play and when not to, kids might not notice this. Be sure that kids know not to tease a dog, and always make sure young children and infants are under constant supervision when dogs are around.

Children should be taught to leave dogs they don’t know, alone. This is especially true if it is wandering by itself. Even if the dog is with the owner, it can still be aggressive. Accordingly, permission should always be granted before petting it.

Care should be taken when you have a dog in your own home as well as there are certain boundaries that children need to learn to respect. Even the most gentle and loveable dog may bite if it feels threatened or wants to correct a child for inappropriate behavior. To avoid this, children should be taught to respect the dog’s personal space. They should never bother a dog when they are eating or if they are spending time in their crate or other favorite spots.

Teach Kids How To Protect Themselves

If kids do get bitten, one of the biggest concerns is keeping the situation from escalating. Though the natural response for most children when a dog becomes aggressive is to run, kids should be taught to stand still, like a “tree,” with their head down. In situations where a dog knocks them to the ground, they should be instructed to curl into a ball with their neck and head covered with their arms. Holding still could deter the dog from attacking.

If your child has been bit by someone else’s dog, your own “mad dog” instincts may kick. The personal injury attorneys at Smith Magram Michaud Colonna P.C., help their clients with a variety of cases, including dog bite cases, and will work hard to give you the best chance of getting the compensation you need.

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