Numerous dog bites occur in California every year. Many of the individuals bitten are children. Fortunately, there are some things that both dog owners and parents can do to prevent children from getting bit.
What dog owners can do
In the United States, there are over 4.5 million dog bites every year. Many of these dog bites do result in an injury that needs treatment. Dog owners can prevent dog bites from happening by training their dog properly. It’s important that dog owners socialize their dogs so that they learn about property biting and how to control their jaws. This allows them to control their bite inhibition. Spaying and neutering tend to make dogs less aggressive as well.
What parents can do
Parents can play a crucial part in preventing dog bites in children. They should teach their child how they should interact with dogs. This means that they shouldn’t play too roughly with them. Not all dogs like this type of behavior. Parents also need to watch for signs that a dog isn’t enjoying their child interacting with them. This can include things like their ears being back, their tail being down or the dog growling or trying to get away from the child. When a dog is eating or playing with their toys, they can get territorial. During this time, children should leave the dog alone so that they don’t get upset and bite the child.
While dog bites do occur, there are some things that both parents and dog owners can do to lessen the likelihood of a dog biting a child. By following the tips mentioned above, dogs and children can interact with each other without getting hurt in the process.