Saftey Rules for Children and Dogs

Humans and dogs have been living together for over 12,000 years. Millions of Americans share their lives and their homes with dogs. These wonderful animals love us unconditionally, protect us, protect our homes, guide the blind, and are our constant companions. Despite all of this we still have misunderstandings that lead to dog attacks.

For children, dog bites are frightening and traumatic, and with a little work, most can be prevented. We teach our children about safety for many situations—from safety rules for crossing the street and traveling in cars to being careful around things that are too hot or sharp. We can also teach them to be safe around dogs. Follow these tips to help your children have a positive relationship with our “best friends".

First—Teach your children the golden rules:

1. Do not chase or tease a dog.
2. Do not disturb a dog while it’s sleeping, eating, or drinking.
3. Don’t play in the dog’s sleeping area.
4. Don’t play with the dog’s food or water.

Second—Teach your dog the golden rules:

1. Do not jump on people.
2. Don’t bark or paw at people.
3. Do not charge the door when someone comes in.
4. Do not bite, nip, chew, gnaw, or mouth people even in play.

Third—Guidelines for parents and pet owners:

1. Provide your children and your dog with opportunities for positive interaction, to help them learn to respect each other and cope with stressful situations.

2. Don’t allow children to use your dog as a climbing toy. Even with the most patient pet, children should not be allowed to climb on them. It’s a recipe for having their tail pulled, eyes poked, paws injured, etc. A dog bite would be a natural response, so it’s best to avoid it.

3. Small children should always be supervised when interacting with a pet. Dogs and children can be unpredictable; it’s the adult’s responsibility to provide a safe environment and a watchful eye.

4. Keep the dog out of threatening situations. It’s important to be sensitive to the dog's needs and fears. If your pet is used to calm or quiet, and children are visiting, playing, running, making noise; watch for signs of nervousness. It may be best to confine your dog to a quiet area during times of too much activity, to remove the potential for problems.

5. Know your dog and learn how it communicates using body language. Usually dogs give warning signs before biting. Sometimes the signs are subtle, but they should never be ignored. Here are a few ways to know that it’s time to intervene between a dog and a child:
1. The dog turns its head away from a child or gets up and moves away.
2. The dog yawns, pants, or licks its lips when the child approaches or tries to interacts with it.
3. The dog gives you a pleading look, as though asking to be rescued.

6. Know your dog’s limits. Sometimes dogs communicate more directly and may be warning that it is ready to bite by growling, showing its teeth, or raising the fur along its back. To prevent a dog bite or a dog attack, immediately intervene by removing any child from this situation and provide a quiet place for your dog

7. Don’t let play get too rough. Many dogs and children play quite well together and should be allowed to do so. Watch for times when their play escalates and starts getting very excited or rough. A dog bite or scratch may occur accidentally when playing gets out of control.

With these guidelines, you can help establish boundaries of respect between children and dogs, and pave the way for successful relationships.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a dog attack, talk with an experienced Michigan dog bite lawyer.