We all have an important role to play in reducing the number of dog bites, in particular dog bites to children. Recent statistics on dog bites show that 77% of biting is by the family dog or a friend’s dog. It’s up to us to protect children, anyone who comes into contact with our dog, and our dog. I’ve got actionable strategies for you, and it all starts with how to R.E.A.D. a dog.
In the episode you'll hear:
- What recent studies on dog bites tell us.
- How to use the acronym R.E.A.D. for everyone’s safety, including your dog’s.
- Why we can’t just assume our dog will get along with children.
- How our dogs respond to our stress.
- Why a dog’s emotional state increases the risk of a bite.
- The actions you can take to be an advocate for your dog.
- Things you can’t know about a dog and why proactivity is vital.
- What it looks like to have a safe interaction with a dog.
- What you can teach children for their safety around dogs.
- Why to believe what your dog is telling you.
- What to do if your dog growls at a child.
Resources:
- Podcast Episode 3: How Hollywood Made Life Tough For Dogs
- Paper: Dog Bites in Children Surge during Coronavirus Disease-2019: A Case for Enhanced Prevention
- Paper: Interspecies transmission of emotional information via chemosignals: from humans to
dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) - Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture)
- Podcast Episode 22: The Invisible Bubble of Pressure and Your Dog
- Dog Decoder App
My dog is alright with children, though she doesn’t encounter that many. My question is: Is it appropriate to use this same counter-condition technique to get her to stop growling or snarling at dogs that we pass on the other side of the street? After three years I still can not determine her triggers. Some dogs she totally ignores, even some off-leash. Other dogs that are calmly walking by across the street, she gets snarky at.
Hi Wendy, if you are consistent with your counter conditioning and add a bit of record keeping to determine her triggers it may help work through her uncomfortableness with dogs in her vicinity. Lynda(TeamSusan)
Thank you for all your help. Being a true advocate for dogs. I really appreciate your advice on when a dog growls. Taking their voice away is unacceptable!
So true! If only more dog owners knew this. I like your suggestion of changing, “Can I pet your dog?” to “Does your dog like kids?”
Really helpful and reinforcing, I’ve often felt a little embarrassed that I purposefully secure my now 5 month old BC before children enter the space she’s in. People sometimes look at me oddly when I don’t freely let her ‘go see’ (we’re not their yet) but I know my dog isn’t ready for that interaction as she gets so overexcited and can knock them down. I ask all the children that do come to turn their backs to wait until she’s sitting before they say hi and she is is a pen so she’s safe first or I put her away so that she doesn’t get too stressed.
I wonder if you could do a pod cast on how you got Momentum aclimated to children. I have a mini-aussie (brilliant after the recoilers program!) but she barks at children – very embarrassing.
I know exactly what you’re going to say ….. “as my mentor Bob Bailey says…”.
PS – I forgot to say I love Lili Chin (as in the app decoder) so thanks for giving her a push – I suspect her drawings must have influenced so many dog owners.
My dog seems fine with kids although he does look a bit nervous when they come piling out of kinderarden en mass and crowd around him wanting to touch him. I used to let them all touch him and squeal when he licked their hands. I don’t remember where and when I learnt the supidity of that (I think it was before I discovered you Susan). These days I tell them that yes they can pet him but they have to stand in a line (that’s a queue for the North American speakers) and he will approach them 1 by 1. It’s amazing how quickly they quieten down and get into a line. A school teacher told me I such be in the military!.