Dogs and Children
When children are bitten by a dog, owners often feel puzzled and confused; they don't understand why the dog suddenly bit. In most cases the bite appears, to them, to be out of the blue but there is always a reason behind why the dog resorted to biting.
DISCLAIMER: The information compiled below is for education purposes only and is not a suitable replacement for professional training; it is not to be used as legal advice. The information below is as accurate as possible using various sources and speaking to qualified trainers.
DISCLAIMER: The information compiled below is for education purposes only and is not a suitable replacement for professional training; it is not to be used as legal advice. The information below is as accurate as possible using various sources and speaking to qualified trainers.
Why bites happen
The reason a dog will bite a child normally falls into one of two categories, either the child has been allowed to interact inappropriately or there was a communication error between the child or the dog. When it comes to communication, a dog interprets communication between them and a child differently than between them and an adult, due to the behavioral difference between adults and children.
Children cry, scream, flail, chuck things around, leave messes everywhere, shriek and until they reach a certain age, aren't capable of understanding a dog when they are trying to communicate that they want to be left alone. The child will see it as just trying to play or give the dog attention, while the dog will see it as being pestered or even a potentially dangerous situation.
Scenarios that can lead to bites
1. A child crawls over to a dog while they're eating and shoves their hands into their food bowl and into the dogs mouth, potentially also pulling at their ears and muzzle. The dog wishes to be left alone and after giving early warning signs that are ignored, they nip at the child to communicate to back off.
2. A child continuously steals a dogs favorite toy, the dog has become stressed out as they are wanting to be alone and play, but the small human is ignoring the signals the dog is giving that they want to be left alone. When the child goes to steal the toy again, the dog snaps at them.
3. A child keeps getting into a dogs space and invading their personal bubble, the dog starts to get annoyed and after being followed by the child and their warning signs ignored, they snap when the child puts their face close again.
4. A child pesters a dog while they're trying to sleep and rest, the child wants to play and doesn't understand why their favorite doggy is ignoring them. The dog, tired and wanting to be left alone snaps at the child to back off.
5. A child is climbing, laying on and stepping on a dog. This can be at a minimum, severely irritating to the dog and at most painful. The dog tries to move away or give other warning signs that they're becoming stressed and anxious, the child continues the behavior and the dog snaps to get it to stop.
6. A child is playing roughly with a dog who isn't use to it or doesn't want to engage in that sort of play, they try to stick to gentle forms of play but the child insists on rough housing, the dog snaps out of frustration.
7. A child is screaming and running near where a dog is sleeping, they shriek just as they pass by which startles the dog who snaps at whatever is nearest to them, which happens to be the child.
8. A child insists on repeatedly hugging a dog, cuddling with them and otherwise giving them attention that the dog isn't comfortable with or currently doesn't want. The dogs warning signs are ignored and the child continues the behavior that is stressing out the dog, the dog snaps to get it to stop.
Children cry, scream, flail, chuck things around, leave messes everywhere, shriek and until they reach a certain age, aren't capable of understanding a dog when they are trying to communicate that they want to be left alone. The child will see it as just trying to play or give the dog attention, while the dog will see it as being pestered or even a potentially dangerous situation.
Scenarios that can lead to bites
1. A child crawls over to a dog while they're eating and shoves their hands into their food bowl and into the dogs mouth, potentially also pulling at their ears and muzzle. The dog wishes to be left alone and after giving early warning signs that are ignored, they nip at the child to communicate to back off.
2. A child continuously steals a dogs favorite toy, the dog has become stressed out as they are wanting to be alone and play, but the small human is ignoring the signals the dog is giving that they want to be left alone. When the child goes to steal the toy again, the dog snaps at them.
3. A child keeps getting into a dogs space and invading their personal bubble, the dog starts to get annoyed and after being followed by the child and their warning signs ignored, they snap when the child puts their face close again.
4. A child pesters a dog while they're trying to sleep and rest, the child wants to play and doesn't understand why their favorite doggy is ignoring them. The dog, tired and wanting to be left alone snaps at the child to back off.
5. A child is climbing, laying on and stepping on a dog. This can be at a minimum, severely irritating to the dog and at most painful. The dog tries to move away or give other warning signs that they're becoming stressed and anxious, the child continues the behavior and the dog snaps to get it to stop.
6. A child is playing roughly with a dog who isn't use to it or doesn't want to engage in that sort of play, they try to stick to gentle forms of play but the child insists on rough housing, the dog snaps out of frustration.
7. A child is screaming and running near where a dog is sleeping, they shriek just as they pass by which startles the dog who snaps at whatever is nearest to them, which happens to be the child.
8. A child insists on repeatedly hugging a dog, cuddling with them and otherwise giving them attention that the dog isn't comfortable with or currently doesn't want. The dogs warning signs are ignored and the child continues the behavior that is stressing out the dog, the dog snaps to get it to stop.
Warning signs
1. Early warning signs include looking away, yawning, flicking their tongue, turning their back and whale eyes. When a dog is using these early warning signs it is important to get the child to stop what they are doing, calmly back away from the dog and if possible, let the dog go to a quiet area away from everyone to calm down. Remind the child that although the dog still likes them, they need space just like they do when they're upset and do not bother them or continue to do things that will bother the dog and allow the dog to approach them on their own terms.
2. Other early warning signs could be the dog ignores the child and attempts to retreat from all interactions from the child. When this happens, the dog is very clearly indicating they do not want to interact with the child and wish to have their space respected, not respecting this space can easily escalate the situation, causing the dog to become stressed and anxious.
3. If all other warning signs have been ignored, it can escalate to growling, baring of teeth, snarling or snapping. Some days may go right to snapping or biting if early warning signs are ignored, dogs who do this have often been taught that growling and enforcing their boundaries is inappropriate and since what is causing them stress and anxiety is not stopping, the resort right to biting.
2. Other early warning signs could be the dog ignores the child and attempts to retreat from all interactions from the child. When this happens, the dog is very clearly indicating they do not want to interact with the child and wish to have their space respected, not respecting this space can easily escalate the situation, causing the dog to become stressed and anxious.
3. If all other warning signs have been ignored, it can escalate to growling, baring of teeth, snarling or snapping. Some days may go right to snapping or biting if early warning signs are ignored, dogs who do this have often been taught that growling and enforcing their boundaries is inappropriate and since what is causing them stress and anxiety is not stopping, the resort right to biting.
Preventing dog bites with children
Early education is key when having children interact with dogs. When they are taught from a young age how to appropriately interact with dogs, give them their space and respect them, the risk of an incident happening greatly decreases.
Kids should be taught how to interact with a dog at a level that is appropriate for their age; management with small kids who are still grasping the basics is essential to avoid bites while they're toddlers. As they get older they can be taught canine behavior, early warning signs and how to politely interact with any canine, be it the family companion or a strange dog on the street.
Here is a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to children and dogs interacting
Kids should be taught how to interact with a dog at a level that is appropriate for their age; management with small kids who are still grasping the basics is essential to avoid bites while they're toddlers. As they get older they can be taught canine behavior, early warning signs and how to politely interact with any canine, be it the family companion or a strange dog on the street.
Here is a list of do's and don'ts when it comes to children and dogs interacting
DON'TS
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SOURCES:
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/kids-and-dogs-how-kids-should-and-should-not-interact-with-dogs/
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/company/children
https://www.ovenbakedtradition.com/en/dogs-and-kids-when-to-be-careful/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-problems-aggression-children
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dog-bites.html
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/kids-and-dogs-how-kids-should-and-should-not-interact-with-dogs/
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/company/children
https://www.ovenbakedtradition.com/en/dogs-and-kids-when-to-be-careful/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dog-behavior-problems-aggression-children
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dog-bites.html