A Walk in the Park

Teach Your Child About Animal Behavior to Prevent Dog Bites

By Lisa Marie Metzler

What child doesn't love to pet a cute dog in the park? Unfortunately not all dogs want to reciprocate with a happy lick on the face. Some bite.

In fact, according to the National Association for Human and Environmental Education more than four million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs. About 60 percent of those bitten are children younger than 13 years old.

Dog bites aren't always from strange dogs. Dog bites can happen in the home, when you least expect it. Jaci Duffina's son, of Temple, Texas, was just 3 years old when he was bitten by her sister-in-law's cocker spaniel. Fortunately, the bite left only a small laceration.

Although not all dog bites can be prevented, understanding man's best friend can significantly reduce the chance of your child being bitten.

The best protection against a dog bite is understanding a dog's behavior. Stefanie Schwartz, a veterinarian and veterinary behavior consultant practicing in South Weymouth, Mass., says there are basically four reasons why dogs feel provoked to bite.

"Most often it is because of dominance aggression," says Schwartz. "For example, a child who spontaneously hugs or climbs onto a dog is unknowingly challenging the dog's social rank."

Another trigger is possessive aggression. This comes into play when a child disturbs a dog who is enjoying a meal, treat or favorite toy.

Irritable aggression can occur if a dog is disturbed while sleeping or ill. Fear aggression occurs when a dog is startled.

Most dogs will warn us when they are agitated. Some also will show warning signs using body language. According to Schwartz, dogs will give a low growl, flatten their ears or curl their lips. However, warnings can be very subtle and brief.

Training a puppy to socialize with adults and children is crucial and will go a long way in preventing a dog from biting someone. "Dogs are most sensitive to forming lasting impressions of people and other dogs between the ages of 6 to 13 weeks," says Schwartz.

Another important lesson to teach a puppy is not to jump on anyone, even if the puppy is just being playful. According to Schwartz, jumping is a very dominant way for a dog to say "hello." Instead, the puppy should be taught to sit and stay when meeting someone. With consistent and proper training, a puppy can be trained to interact and enjoy those who come into contact with him.

Want to see more?

• Getting Fit With Furry Friends: How the Family Pet Can Keep Your Kids in Shape
• Pets as Presents: Planning Makes All the Difference
• Pets and Preschoolers: Choosing the Right Pet for Your Family
• Talk about it!