Helpful Resources

Preventing and Avoiding Dog Bites

Always supervise a young child around any dog, no matter how well known, friendly, or small that dog may be. A parent sleeping in the same room does not constitute supervision.

Lavish extra attention on the dog when a new baby is brought home. All too often the family house dog is relegated to the backyard when the new baby arrives. A better alternative would be to encourage the dog to view the baby as a "good thing" by petting and talking to the dog while holding the baby.

Parents can reduce the chances of older children being bitten if they teach them some basic safety tips:

• Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Never run from a dog and scream.
• Stay still when an unfamiliar dog comes up to you.
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still.
• Do not stare a dog in the eyes because it may view that as threatening.
• Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without letting it see and sniff you first.
• Do not ride your bicycle or run past a dog.
• Do not tease a dog, pull its ears or tail, or squeeze it too hard.

Almost half of all dog bites are provoked, regardless of whether the victim is a child or an adult. The mistake is made when people view provocation from a human viewpoint rather than from the animal's perspective.

An estimated 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs each year. While about 2,500 of these are letter carriers, children are the most common victims of severe dog bites. Dog bite injuries are a serious problem in our country, but they're a problem we can solve. It's important for new dog owners to understand:

• That canines are pack animals, and puppies should be trained to look to humans for leadership and to avoid competition with children.
• The need to socialize the puppy to many different types of people.
• The importance of puppy obedience class.
• That wrestling, tug-of-war, and "siccing" instills bad habits in a dog.
• The importance of spaying or castrating the dog (studies show that neutered animals are less likely to be aggressive).
• If your dog exhibits behavior such as growling, nipping, or biting-even on an occasional basis-seek professional advice from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a skilled dog trainer.
• If you don't know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious.

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For more information on preventing dog bites, contact:

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1-800-223-3647

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