Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Pets Preventing and Treating Dog Bites

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), estimates that a staggering 4.7 million people a year are bitten by dogs, just in the U.S. In most cases, these 'vicious' dogs were simply family pets that were responding, instinctually, to a situation – by biting.

• According to the CDC, in a report on Dog Bite Related Fatalities, 80% of those that die, as a result of being bitten, are children.

• Teaching your children how they should act around a dog, and what they should not do, will drastically reduce the chances that they will ever be bitten.

Despite centuries of domestication, dogs are still essentially predatory animals. They react, instinctually, to various stimuli. For instance, a mother with puppies will instinctually growl if someone approaches her litter. IF a child where to ignore these growls and try to pick up one of the puppies, the mother may attack in an attempt to defend against what she views as a threat to her babies. Knowing why a dog bites is essential in learning how to avoid the risk of being bitten.

• Children should be taught never to run or bicycle, around dogs. If a child runs from a dog, it can trigger an instinctual response to 'bring down the prey'. If the dog belongs to a herding breed, their response may be to try to herd the child by nipping at his legs.
• Teach your child that it is dangerous to wake a dog up, try to take its food away, or tease a dog.
• It is imperative that you should teach your children never to play with strange dogs.

Teach your children the warning signs that indicate that a dog is becoming agitated.

• Tell them not to go near any dog that is growling, barking, or snarling.
• They should never approach a dog that is chained up. When chained a dog may feel vulnerable because he is unable to get away from an approaching threat (i.e., the child).
• If the dog is cowering, they should also stay away. A dog that is scarred is just as likely, if not more so, to bite than an aggressive dog.
• If the fur on the back of a dog is raised, as well as it ears and tail, this is a sign that it is prepared to attack if approached.
• Teach your children never to touch an injured dog.
• Teach your children never to pet a dog without permission of the owner. They should never approach a dog that is chained and they should never enter the premises, or a yard, where there is a dog unless they have been told that it is safe to do so.
• Teach your children that if they are approached by an aggressive dog that they should never make eye contact with the dog, scream, or make any sudden movements. However, it is essential that the child remain facing the dog at all times while standing very still. They should not try to walk away. If the dog does attack, tell them to roll up in a ball, face down, and that they should cover their head with their hands – and don't move until the dog leaves!
• Most important, never leave your young children alone with a dog, even the family pet. No matter how well you school them in the dangers that a dog may represent, vigilance, on your part, is the best method of preventing a dog bite.

As soon as you learn that a dog has bitten your child, try to find out what dog did the deed. If it was a strange dog, try to get a description of the dog. This is essential so that the dog can be tracked down. If the dog cannot be traced, your child will be forced to undergo very painful shots to prevent rabies. If the dog can be found, it can be tested, thereby, hopefully, eliminating the need for the rabies shots.

• Treating the wound – wash the wound thoroughly. Cover with a clean dressing and call your doctor. Even if it is a minor wound, and you know that the dog has an up to date rabies vaccine, your child will still need to be given a tetanus vaccination.
• Report the bite to your local health department or animal control agency.