CHILD SAFETY AROUND OTHER PEOPLE'S DOGS

(Courtesy of Louise Thompson)

Your dog won't bite - but what about your child's friend's dogs? Half of all children are bitten by a dog by the time they are 12 years old and the majority of these are bites by a dog that the child knows. Your child is more likely to be bitten by your own dog, or a dog belonging to a friend, neighbour or relative than by a strange dog running loose.

It is your responsibility as a parent to ensure the safety of your children,

If your kids visit houses where there are dogs, ensure that the dog is separated from the children, or supervised if the children are allowed to play with the dog or in the presence of the dog. 

Meet the dog for yourself - if you have any worries then insist that the dog is crated when your child visits - or invite the other child to your house instead.

If your children report that the friend's dog growled, snapped, barked at them, urinated in the house in their presence or did anything that worried or surprised your child then your child should not be allowed to return to that house unless the dog is crated at all times when children are present. 

Remember that 50% of all children are bitten by a dog before they are 12 and most of these bites are at someone's home by a known dog.

Ensure that your children know how to read basic dog body language and know to wait for the friend's dog to approach them when they visit (if they must interact with the dog) and know to avoid dangerous interactions with the dog -

Teach children only to pet happy dogs and only when the adult owner is present.

It is your responsibility as a dog owner to make sure that your dog does not bite or frighten visiting children,

So ……………..  Supervise at all times and if you can't supervise then separate children and dogs.

Create kid and dog "zones" using a crate or other barriers so that both dog and kids can be comfortable, happy and safe.

Never allow children to play rough games with the dog - enforce Rules in your house.

Don't be offended if another parent asks you to keep your dog separate from their child.

Child-proof your dog - Read the book Child Proofing Your Puppy by Brian Kilcommons or contact an accredited animal behaviour consultant who will perform an evaluation with your dog – and put together a child-proof programme for your dog.

Learn more about bite prevention

Learn more about dog communication

Be sure that your dog does not guard food or possessions. A dog like this is potentially very dangerous and should be kept separate from children. 

Other articles you may enjoy......

Dog Fights at Home - something we all dread - read how they often occur and also what to do about them.
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My Dog Just Won't Listen!  - who hasn't had this happen to them before! Some great tips to help you overcome this and understand why it may happen.
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Use Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Fleas in 3 Easy Steps - a natural way to get rid of fleas without using chemicals
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