The following are extremely important safety tips for any home with children and pets. Even if your home doesn't have a pet, please teach your child these safety tips for when they are around animals in others' homes.

Do's and Don'ts

● 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, especially a strange one (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 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 his collar for the same reasons!

● Teach your child to ask the dog's guardian 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. Encourage your child to only pet a dog under his chin or on the sides of his body. Your child should not ever pet a dog on his head or make eye contact. 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 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.

The info below is provided by SCBR:

If a Child is Attacked:

● Try to loosen the dog's grip by pushing your arm against its throat.

● Place something between him or her and the dog, such as a jacket or purse.

● Control the bleeding and wash the wound with soap and water. Get medical help immediately to determine the risk of infection for rabies.

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.