Dog Bite Prevention Tips to Help You Keep Your Family Safe

Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog, and every year around 4.5 million people a year are bitten by dogs, according to the CDC. One in five of those bitten will require medical attention for their injuries and more than 31,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery as a result of being bitten by a dog in 2006. This information is not given to scare you, only to emphasize how important dog bite prevention training is.

The key to dog bite prevention is to train the entire family, both the human and dog members. With 39% of the population owning dogs you are bound to be around them at one time or another even if you don’t have your own. Please make yourself familiar with these dog bite prevention tips and teach your children the basics of dog bite prevention.

Dog bite prevention tips for dog owners:

Properly socialize and train any dog living in your household starting when they are puppies, if possible.

Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.

When adopting or buying a dog spend some time with that dog if possible before you make a final decision.

If your dog develops aggressive behavior seek advice from a professional (veterinarian, reputable breeder, animal behaviorists, etc.).

Keep your dog healthy. Make sure your dog gets regular vaccinations and check-ups. How your dog feels directly affects how it behaves, so make sure he is feeling good!

Consult with a professional (reputable dog breeder, veterinarian) about you household and what dog breeds might be best suited for you.

Half of all children are bitten by a dog by the time they are 12 years old. Most bites are by the family dog or other dog known to the child and the number of dog bites could be greatly reduced through proper training and education. Teach your children to understand dog body language and how to act around dogs. Remind them of the following rules on a regular basis.

Dog bite prevention tips for kids:

If you see a dog acting funny immediately tell an adult about it.

Never approach a dog you don’t know. If an unfamiliar dog does approach you act like a tree – stay still, keep your arms down and don’t make eye contact.

Never run from a dog or scream when one approaches you.

Before you pet a dog, let him check you out – sniff your hand, take a good look at you - and then ask the dog’s owner if it is okay for you to pet the dog.

Don’t wrestle or play aggressive games like tug-of-war with any dog. He may get too excited and bite you.

Never play with a dog if an adult is not around.

Do not look directly into a dog’s eyes.

Never bother a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

If a dog knocks you over, curl into a ball with your hands on tops of your head and lie still.

When families come to me looking for Anatolian Shepherd or Border Collie puppies for sale, I take the opportunity to teach them about dog bite prevention. There are two factors to dog bite prevention. First is teaching kids how to read and handle dogs, second, but of equal importance is socializing the puppies and dogs. These tips are a good start to teaching the whole family how to respect dogs at home and around your neighborhood, there are also many programs available through dog kennels, dog breeders, schools, etc. However you choose to educate your family about dog bite prevention, just make sure you do it!



Harriet Pittman is the owner of Shadewood Farm and Kennel. If you are looking for Anatolian Shepherd for sale or Border Collie puppies for sale for sale in Virginia, give Shadewood Farm a call. For more information about dog bite prevention please visit her blog at www.ShadewoodFarm.com