Please Teach Your Children the Following Safety Tips for Handling
Dogs:
Things you should
NOT
do:
-
Never approach a strange dog without your parent’s
permission, even if the dog's owner is present.
-
Never try to touch a dog that is chained or tied up,
is in a car or behind a fence.
-
Never run at a dog - your own or a stranger's.
-
Never grab or try to hold onto a dog that is trying
to get away.
-
Never approach or try to touch a dog that is
growling, showing his teeth or barking.
-
Never approach a dog that you know is a "watch" or
"guard" dog.
-
Never approach or bother a dog that is eating,
chewing on a treat or playing with a toy.
-
Never try to remove objects
from a dog's mouth.
-
Never try to help an injured
dog. Get an adult.
-
Never try to stop a dog
fight. Get an adult.
-
Never run FROM a dog or encourage a dog to chase or
jump on someone.
-
Never hurt an animal by hitting, kicking, slapping,
teasing or trying to ride it.
-
Never scream or make loud sounds or threatening motions when near a
dog.
-
Never "rough house" with a dog or play games that
encourage growling or putting the dog's teeth on you.
-
Never try to touch a dog's eye or look in its ears or mouth.
Things you should do:
-
Do hold your hand out to be sniffed by a dog that you
are meeting.
-
Do keep your face away from a dog's face when playing
or meeting (do not immediately try to hug the dog.)
-
Do back away slowly without making eye contact if you
are faced with an aggressive dog.
-
Do ask the owner of a leashed dog if you may pet it.
-
Do treat all animals with respect and consideration.
-
Do move slowly and quietly when handling animals.
-
Do give your pet lots of
loving, positive attention and make time to play with him everyday.
You can help avoid problems
between children and animals by supervising playtimes and other
child/canine interaction. You can also help your children and pets
to get along by properly training each species! Children should be
taught to be gentle and considerate and to respect animals. Dogs
should be well socialized and taught to respect humans, to follow
commands and to be well-mannered companions in your home and in any
public setting.
Nutritional, hygiene and
health issues can impact your dog's behavior and might influence
your children and pets interaction. An example of this would be
chronic ear infections. This type of issue could make a dog
sensitive to having its head touched. A child that tries to hug a
dog with a severe ear infection could cause the dog significant
pain. This could lead to the dog snapping. Other medical conditions
(illness or disease) may also cause aggressive behavioral changes in
dogs. Prompt treatment of these conditions can assure that the dog
does not bite someone.
Hygiene (brushing, bathing,
grooming and parasite control) are also important in preventing
behavioral issues with dogs. Objects caught in a dog's coat may poke
him/her when the animal is petted or may even become embedded in the
skin. Severe matting may pull the dog's hair and can lead to severe
skin sores under the mats. Parasites can also lead to skin sores and
infections. In summer months, flies may feed and lay eggs in skin
areas that are raw and irritated. This can cause even more skin
irritation and pain for the animal. Additionally, hatching maggots
may invade the dog's tissues causing serious infection and pain. Any
or all of the above issues can make a dog cranky and uncomfortable
and could lead to the dog snapping when handled. To avoid behavioral
problems associated with nutritional, medical or grooming issues, be
sure your dog always has fresh, clean water, is fed a quality diet
and that he/she receives regular grooming and veterinary care.
