Dog bite prevention

TEXT: RHIANNON CECIL

IN TODDLERS AND SMALL CHILDREN

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KEEP A HARMONIOUS HOME

The love of a furry friend has a myriad of benefits for children. Studies have shown that interaction with a pet reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels, alleviates loneliness, creates empathy, and teaches a sense of responsibility in young children. However, a spontaneous, physical, and mobile small person can be a source of stress for our canine friends. The canine mind can easily misinterpret displays of affection from young children. For safety in a mixed species household, both dogs and children need some guidance to make sure they love and understand each other.

Parents who can interpret their child's actions as their dog might interpret them can rest assured they're one step ahead. Just remember, canine communications are entirely

different from our own, and since we are bringing dogs into our environments, we need to make sure they completely understand what is and isn't acceptable.

1. Dogs need a safe space Setting boundaries around when it's okay for children to play with your dog is extremely important. Create a safe space for your dog, and make sure the kids know they're not allowed to interact with him when he's in there. A safe space is generally a little nook, a corner of the room, or a bed. If your dog is feeling stressed or overwhelmed, he'll retreat to that safe space to self-soothe instead of potentially panicking around the children.

DID YOU KNOW?

61% of dog bites are courtesy of a family dog or dog of a friend.

2. Supervision is non-negotiable Small children and dogs should never be left alone unsupervised. Having an adult present and instilling in small children - and especially toddlers - that interaction is only allowed in these circumstances is the most effective way to prevent miscommunication and potential tragedy.

3. When cuddling is just a "no" In certain circumstances, the risk of a child getting bitten is much higher. It's best for children to avoid interacting with the dog altogether if: • He has a toy. Even if he stole it from the child, the child should rather ask an adult to retrieve it. This eliminates the chance of the dog 'correcting' your child or becoming possessive. • He's eating. This is particularly important with dogs who display 'resource guarding' behaviour. • He's sleeping. Startling a sleeping dog could result in a snap before the dog even realises what he's done. • He's in his basket or kennel. This is his safe space, whether we've actually given it to him or not, and if he feels it's being invaded, he'll react accordingly. • He's playing with another dog, an older child, or an adult.

Rough play is good fun for dogs, though it should be avoided if there are small children in the house. Children can easily get bitten by mistake if they insert themselves into a canine game. • He is cornered in an enclosed space, like under the table or at the back of a cupboard. Dogs can panic when they feel they have no escape route. Panic can lead to fear biting or snapping, so it's best for small children to interact with dogs in an open space. • He is sick or in pain. Dogs will protect themselves vehemently if they're not well. This also applies to adults, and precautions should always be taken with injured or recovering dogs.

Think about avoiding situations where the dog is likely to feel scared, threatened, or possessive. The same goes for situations where the dog feels like he has to compete for food or attention.

HELP YOUR DOG UNDERSTAND BOUNDARIES

Essentially, dogs are brought into an unfamiliar environment and expected to know how to behave. As dog owners, it's our responsibility to teach our canine friends what's allowed and what isn't. A dog who understands his environment and routines is a happy dog and much less likely to misinterpret things.

TIP

If your dog is growling at your child, consult a vet or canine behaviourist for help resolving the issue.

Obedience training is a must for all breeds and ages. Basic commands such as "leave it," "wait for food", "sit", and "go to your basket" are the bare minimum a dog needs to know. These commands must be reinforced regularly and practised consistently.

Your dog needs to understand the following:

1. Play biting isn't cute Puppies should never be encouraged to bite unless they are in man-work training with a knowledgeable adult. Puppies grow, and so do their teeth. They won't understand why they were encouraged to bite one moment, and everyone is freaked out the next. It must be a "no" from the moment they come home.

2. Avoid hugs Wrapping your arms around a dog from above is a hug to us, but to them, it's a challenge or a threat of physical harm and can provoke an unwanted reaction. Replace hugs with tickles on the chest or neck. This is fun for kids and keeps the fur babies happy as well.

3. No kisses on the mouth It's an obvious one, but playing with your dog's mouth is asking for trouble, particularly with those clumsy toddler hands that can be rougher than intended. 4. Watch the eye contact In canine speak, eye contact for more than one second is a challenge for physical dominance. Encourage your toddler to tickle the dog rather than stare at him. This should break eye contact anyway.

5. Growling is a good thing Most of us are likely to punish a dog for growling, but that actually removes a critical step in canine communication. Growling is a communication from the dog, not necessarily a sign of aggression. It's the equivalent of "please leave me alone" in human speak. The dog is unhappy about something, and he's trying to tell you. If you punish growling, the dog will stop growling, but what comes after growling? All of a sudden, everyone's in an uproar because the dog has bitten someone "with no warning," but in actual fact, his mechanism by which to communicate was removed, so he felt he had no choice.

ENJOY YOUR MIXED SPECIES HOME

Not much trumps growing up with a dog, and parents needn't be too worried about dog bites as long as everyone in the household understands one another. Take some time to enjoy your dog and your children, and see them create a bond together. It's unbelievably special, and with a little guidance from you, your dog will be protecting your children instead of feeling like he needs protection.

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