Never
allow your child to play in or around a dog's food and water bowls!
Do
not allow your children to take food, treats, toys, or bones away from a dog.
Keep
children out of your dog's sleeping area and crate.
Do
not allow your children to tease or hit animals, even in play. Stop all rough, physical
behavior immediately and explain why it is NEVER
acceptable. Show your children appropriate ways to interact with animals and MODEL
THIS YOURSELF!
Never
allow your child to make eye contact with a dog (this is
dangerous and has to do with dominance issues).
Do
not allow a young child (under 12) to walk your dog without supervision. Boxers
in particular, are protective of children, and you may not know how your dog will react to
something HE considers as a potential threat to your child. Also, a dog can slip
out of a child's control much easier than an adult's. Do
not tie the dog's leash on a stroller while you walk! A car backfiring, or the
sight of another animal could trigger a "bolt" or "chase"
and children have been dragged down the street in their stroller seat--the sound
of the stroller dragging behind will only startle the dog more, who may keep
running to "get away from the sound."
Never
ever allow your child to approach a dog from behind, or sneak up
on one. This is extremely dangerous, your child will startle the dog--his
natural response and instinct will be to snap or bite. Do not allow
your child to hang around a dog's neck or grab it's collar for the same reasons.
Teach
your child to ask the dog's owner for permission before touching a new dog. Have
them offer a closed fist for a friendly new dog to sniff, before allowing him to
pet the dog. A dog must see & sniff a child
first before playing.
Keep
small children and sick or injured dogs separated at all times! An injured dog
may snap or bite if in pain--when normally he would never do such a thing. Keep
children away from dogs who are nursing puppies, eating, or sleeping.
Supervise
your children and pets when they are together AT ALL TIMES. If you cannot be in
the same room to supervise, SEPARATE them until you can!!
It is a PARENT'S responsibility to teach their children how to act appropriately around animals. Dog bite incidents occur when the above guidelines ARE NOT FOLLOWED. The dog always takes the blame and children are sometimes permanently scarred.
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The info below is provided by SCBR:
If a Child is Attacked:
Children attacked by dogs are frequently bitten on the face. Any bite to the face can result in severe lacerations, infection or disability. If a child suffers a serious dog bite that may cause scarring, parents should request a physician certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This ensures that the doctor is uniquely qualified to perform reconstructive and cosmetic procedures on the face and all areas of the body.
For more information, call ASPS at (847) 228-9900. To find a certified plastic surgeon or to learn more about reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, call the ASPS Plastic Surgery Information Service at (888) 4-PLASTIC (888-475-2784) or visit www.plasticsurgery.org.