Dogs

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Aggression

Dog attacks involving humans or other animals are a serious problem and have often obtained front-page status. Dog attacks range from aggressive attacks to single bite wounds and from needing hospitalization and surgery to only annoyance value. However most bites still involve children under 5 years old and we as adults need to understand and teach our children about dog behaviour.

Most dog attacks on children occur by the family dog or by a friend's dog. They usually occur in the dog's own yard. Dogs tend to bite children out of fear or an attempt to dominate. It must be remembered that if a dog is being hurt by a child its natural response is either to try to get away or to give a retaliatory nip. Unfortunately what the dog would do in a normal pack situation with other dogs can cause serious and permanent damage to a small child. Children are often targets for attacks because they may inadvertently challenge the dog or intrude into its territory. Even the trust-worthiest dog can cause injury as a child may pull the dog's tail or ears or accidentally fall and hurt the dog. Until the child is old enough to understand what is acceptable behaviour around a dog a child should never be left unsupervised with a dog. This is around 5 years of age but varies from child to child and how trustworthy the dog is considered.

Most injuries to children are on the head and face. Children should be taught not to put their faces close to a dog's mouth and not to hug dogs tightly or tease them. Children should not pat a strange dog, a dog that is tied up, a dog that has been left in a car, or a dog that is eating. If a dog frightens a child, he/she should hold their hands up under their neck and try to present as small a body size as possible. A terrified scream will usually provoke an attack and an older child may be able to avoid an attack by freezing then slowly backing away. Teach a child never to run from a dog.

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