National Bite Prevention Week

Our friends at Underdog ResQ provided us with this excellent information. 

They do great work.

Please visit their site and see some of the lovely pups in need of a home.

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

 

May 16th was the beginning of National Bite Prevention Week.  We'd like to give you some tips on how to help prevent dog bites in households with children.

 

Kids are usually more susceptible to receive the brunt of bad behavior since young children often are not able to control a dog and behave in ways that intensify predatory motor functions. Young kids run around a lot and squeal, this coupled with the fact that they are seldom involved in training makes it very difficult in some circumstances for dogs to see them as anything other than toys.

 

Here are some special precautions to take when you have kids in the household:

 

• Take the time to socialize, exercise and train your dog.
• Really get to know your dog.  Anticipating stressful cues your dog may be giving you will allow you to take him away from stressful situations that may have led to a bite.
• Avoid leaving your children alone with your dog. 
• Do not allow your children near the dog when he is eating, chewing on a bone, playing with a toy, or near anything of high value to him.
• Do not allow your child to walk the dog. An adult should always have physical control of the dog when he‘s being walked.
• Do not allow your children to hug the dog.
• Teach your children how to play nice with the dog so they don‘t pull on the dog‘s ears or tail. Do not run around or wrestle with a dog. A good rule of thumb is to make sure a toy is always involved when children are playing with the dog so that the play is directed at something other than body parts. Of course, you want to make sure the dog doesn't get possessive with his toys before doing this. 

 

Taking these steps will help your dog and kids live happily ever after just like these underdogs that got their second chance for a happy life.