Safety Tips for Kids and Canines

The bond between dogs and children can be a wonderful one. However, as parents, it is our job to ensure the safety of our children before all else.

Doggone Safe is an organization that works toward increasing safety between a child and a dog. Their website is full of fun facts, information and insight into the world of kids and canines. They also provide educational tools for teachers interested in bringing dog bite prevention into their classroom.

The following are a few safety tips that families should follow to keep kids safe:  

1. Make certain an adult is supervising all dog-kid interactions. As trustworthy as a pet may seem, all animals have their limits on what they will tolerate. An adult should be close by to monitor events and intervene if necessary.

2. Ensure that kids play only safe games with any dog. (example: Tug O' War is a wonderful game if played appropriately, but it is not recommended as a game that children should play with their pet.) Children can practice basic obedience commands with their dogs, fetch and "recall" games. Rough housing is never recommended.

3. Never let a child tease a pet. This leads to frustration in your pet and a frustrated pet is more likely to act out.  All interactions with children should be a win-win situation for the dog and the child. Remember, we want our pets to associate children with good things.

4. Make sure that kids do not give the dog hugs and kisses. Believe it or not, most dogs don’t like hugs. Teach your child to offer his hand or fist for the dog to sniff first, then he can pet the dog on the side of the neck.  Make certain  that your child never grabs a dog's face or stares directly into a dog's eyes. 

5. Kids should leave any dog alone if he is eating, resting on or under furniture or has a bone or toy.  Kids should also be taught to never approach strange dogs.  This includes and dogs in a car, behind a fence or on a chain. 

6.  If a strange dog appears, teach your child to “be a tree." Practice having your child stand still, look at the ground, hug themselves with their arms and not move until the dog has gone away. In other word, "be boring."

Doggone Safe’s website is www.doggonesafe.com. Check it out for more information, or contact Amy Weeks if you are interested in a presentation on Dog Bite Prevention at your school or with your local organization. Amy’s website is amyscaninekindergarten.com.