According to statistics, around 1,000 people are in pain every day from dog bite injuries across the U.S. Children make up a considerable portion of the victims of dog bites. Just recently, a 4-year-old boy from Utah lost a hand because of a bite from a neighbor’s dog.
Many children get bitten by dogs because of improper handling or not knowing how to handle a pet. Below are some tips for children on how to properly approach unfamiliar dogs.
Make sure that the dog has a collar.
One of the vital things that you need to tell kids is that they should never approach a dog without a collar or leash. They should also ensure the dog’s owner is nearby before approaching the dog.
Ask for permission
The next thing a child must do is ask the dog owner’s permission to pet the dog. Then, the child should let the dog smell their closed fist first, not an open hand. When a human approaches a dog with a free hand, the dog will think that the human is offering him a treat.
Touch the side of the dog
The safest way to touch a dog is to rub it on the side, not the head. Even to tap them on the head is scary for dogs. Most dogs get threatened when a human touches its head. The dog should be able to see your hand when you pet it.
Stay away from a dog’s space
Dogs can be very territorial. This is why you should teach kids to stay away from their space. Teach them not to enter yards they are not familiar with and not to go over fences.
Don’t run
Tell children not to run when they approach a dog. Because if they do, the dog will most likely chase them.
When you’re all familiar with these pieces of advice, you can educate your kids and keep them safe while having the best time of their lives with their fur-best buddies. We hope this article helps.
