How To Save Your Child From Getting Bitten By Your Dog?

It is hard to predict if your pet dog would bite your child or not. It is impossible to guarantee that they would not do such a thing. As a pet parent, you may think that your furball would not even hurt a flea, much less bite their child.

However, keep in mind that we are talking about animals over here. In certain circumstances, their way of responding to your child could be biting.

Some facts about children getting bitten by dogs 

Any breed could bite your child. Even small dogs are supposed to be a threat – and a major one at that – for children.

In 82% of cases when a dog bites a child and needs to be treated in an emergency room, the kids were younger than 15 years.

The bite rates are significantly higher for kids 5 to 9 years. In 65% of cases, the dog bites the neck and the head of the kids. It is due to the relative size of the dog and the kid. So, as you can see for yourself, children are at quite a high risk when it comes to dog bites.  

The importance of education

Most people are unable to fathom the speed at which a dog can bite. In most cases, they give a warning sign such as a growl before they bite. However, not all dogs would do this though. In some cases, the bite and the growl can happen in milliseconds.

This can make it hard for a bite to be avoided. Thus, educate your kids to recognize the warning signs. It applies to all other pets and animals.

If your children know the basics, it would be helpful for them. As their parents, you need to keep an eye on whether they are following those rules with dogs or not.

Mind you, it includes the known dogs as well. We would be mainly dealing with the most prominent guidelines in these cases.

How can you prevent your child from getting bitten by a dog? 

Please remember the knowledge that we are about to share right now applies to all dogs. Keep a close watch on kids (particularly toddlers and infants) when close to dogs. Teach your children that getting their faces too close to the dog could be a problematic proposition.

As far as the dog is concerned, this could be an act of confrontation. Your child might get away by doing this with your pet dog on many occasions. However, even that does not mean that nothing untoward would happen in the future. One of the issues dog behavior experts points out to pet ads show children too up close to the dogs’ faces.

Mostly primates such as humans, monkeys, and apes like hugging each other. They get comfort from doing so. However, this particular attribute is unique to them. The other species do not share them.

Canines might bear with such hugging on occasions, but they may consider it a threatening behavior as well. So, teach your child not to hug or lie down on any dog. As with humans, dogs do not like to be disturbed when they rest or sleep.

So, unlike their grandpa, the dogs can get startled in such cases and could respond by biting your child. So, teach your children to stay away from dogs when resting or sleeping.

Some other ways in which you can go about it

You can always try choosing a breed known to be gentle with kids. This is especially when you plan to have a family with pets and kids.

Even if your dog is friendly with your kid, make sure that they do not hug or kiss them for too long as it puts their faces too close for comfort with that of the dogs.

If your bitch has given birth, you should never let your child close to the puppies, no matter what the reason is. You should also teach your child ways to deal with dogs who do not appear to be friendly.

If they see an aggressive dog, they should stand still with their eyes down. Forbid your kids from teasing dogs by snatching away their treats or toys. Also, teach never to disturb a dog when they are eating.

Always ask your children to stay away from dogs they do not know. They should never try to pet them. It is essential to impart some training to your dog to prevent accidents from both ends. Try and make them understand good things happen when they are close to kids.

If your dog does not like kids, you should provide them with a zone free of children where they can retreat if they want to. It could be anything – a partitioned enclosure or their kennel. If your child wants to pet someone else’s dog and they are with their owner, always get permission from the owner before you let your child pet them.

Teach your kids to respect boundaries and limits. They should know and understand that a dog would only play with them as long as they want to. If they are walking away, it means they have had enough for the time being.

Conclusion

If your child gets bitten by a dog, you must not panic. This is especially true when it is someone else’s dog. Start the treatment by administering first aid and then take your child to the closest hospital.