Kids will spend a lot of their time playing outdoors and likely encounter pets in the park. Parents need to ensure that the kids are safe when interacting with dogs, especially if they are unfamiliar with the animals.
Jenny Falvey, a dog trainer and canine behavior consultant, said via WYTV that 51 percent of dog bites involve kids between 5 to 8 years old who have no idea of the risks around pets. Sometimes, these dog bites also happen within their own households.
Here are some tips to follow to prevent a painful incident:
1. Teach children to respect the dogs.
Falvey's most important advice is to teach the children to respect the dog's personal space. Some kids might think it's fun to climb on the dog or pull their tail or ears, but the dog expert said this might be a sign of threat. Even the sweetest dog could suddenly turn aggressive when a child encroaches on their personal space.
Parents need to be aware of the dog's body language. For instance, if they are backing away, if their ears are up, or if they stiffen around the child, it's a sign that they are feeling threatened. Pull the kids away if this is the case.
2. Allow the dogs to approach the child first.
In respecting their space, allow the dogs to approach first. In interacting with dogs, tell your child to extend her arms out with her fist closed and give the dogs a chance to smell her so they will not bite or attack.
Remind the child not to pet an unfamiliar dog. It's important to establish a connection first before petting the animal, no matter how cute and cuddly the dog looks. If the dog's fur parents are nearby, ask them if their dogs want to be touched. Look at the owners in the eyes, not the dog, as the animals might also see this as a threat.
3. Don't bring your children's snacks to the park.
According to Dogster, bringing snacks to the park where dogs are playing is asking for trouble. If your child is hungry, eating food inside the car or leaving the park and eating elsewhere is better.
It's important to understand that there are other dogs in the park that may still be learning good manners. They won't be able to resist the smell of the food and will likely try to attack the other dogs or the kids for the food.
4. Tell your kids not to run in the park if there are dogs.
Running is a powder keg for many dogs who have been pent-up all day or all week inside the house. One wrong move from the children and the situation could blow up.
Parents need to understand that if there are too many excited dogs in the park, then it's best for the kids not to bring the same energy. Remind the children to resist approaching or reaching out to the cute puppy. According to The Family Dog, observing a six-foot distance is safer and then waiting for the dog to open up and invite the child to pat or pet them.
