May 18 – 24 is Dog Bite Prevention Week
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Nearly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year; half of these are children up to 9 years of age, and often with a dog they know.
There are two parts of the equation to avoiding dog bites: Children must be educated to be around dogs, and dogs must be trained to be around children.
What you can do to keep your family safe:
• Learn to read basic dog body language (sign up for the free family class at MVAS)
• Be respectful to all dogs and give them space especially when eating or sleeping. Do not tease them.
• Teach your kids not to run from a dog but to “be a tree” — stand still and let the dog sniff.
• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
• Socialize your family to different dogs.
• Always ask to pet a dog before approaching close.
• Respect the “yellow ribbon.” The dog needs space, and may be nervous or fearful with people and other dogs.
• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog – even your own family pet.
What you can do to keep your dog safe:
• Use good judgment when selecting a family pet. Do your homework. Learn which dog would be most likely to thrive in your family situation.
• Make sure your puppy is well-socialized and train your dog in basic requests. Good socialization skills are vitally important to reduce the risk of behavior problems.
• Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Just being out in a yard does not mean they are getting aerobic exercise and stimulation and may lead to frustration and unwanted behaviors.
• Always leash your dog when you’re out in public.
• Make sure yard gates are secure and there are no other escape routes available.
Teach children – yours and any others who come around your dog – how to behave. Children are by far the most frequent victims of dog bites.
For more information, or to sign up for a free one-hour class, call Jill at MVAS, (406) 883-5312.
