National Dog Bite Prevention Week: As we talked about yesterday, dogs don’t speak human language but they do talk to us! Dogs can’t tell us how they are feeling with words but their body language speaks with just as much clarity. Some signs that a dog is uncomfortable include:
• Avoiding eye contact
• Licking their lips
• Tail tucked between their legs
• Stiffened body
• White showing around the eyes
• Moving away from a person or situation
• Crouching low on the ground
• Ears back or pulled tight against the head
• Excessive yawning
These are some signs the dog is at its limit and needs someone to intervene immediately to maintain a safe and comfortable environment.
Pet Pals Dog Bite Prevention Tip: Dogs are just like people, they have different personalities and varying levels of patience for children and the way they play. Respect is an integral part of family structure that should be extended to family pets. Lessons such as teaching children to approach dogs calmly, to respect their space if they are eating or playing with a toy, and to ask permission to pet an unfamiliar dog will all lead to a happy relationship with their pet and a decreased chance of being bitten. Some situations when children should respect the personal space of the family dog include when the dog is:
• Eating
• Sleeping
• Chewing on a toy
• Over stimulated/ hyperactive
In these situations treating an animal with respect and kindness can help reduce bites that stem from being startled or resource guarding. Understanding dog behavior, creating a safe environment for family pets, and educating children on appropriate behavior around dogs will all contribute to a decreased risk of a dog bites. .
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