What Happens When You Get A Dog Bite

Today is the last day of Dog Bite Prevention Week. There are over 5 million dog bites in America with over half of the happening to children. Children between 5 and 9 years old are most frequently affected.

Tale Of An Unforeseen Dog Bite

This past Friday, I went to walk a new dog. It was a new dog that I misread the warning signs and got bitten pretty badly on the hand. The pain was so sharp it affected the joints. I wound up going to the hospital to stop the bleeding and make sure there were no chipped bones. Luckily, no stitches were needed and no bones were broken.

Aside from getting a tetanus shot and having quite a bit of swelling, I turned out ok. However, many people get even more serious damage from a dog bite. Here are some tips to prevent dog bites:

• Never stare a dog directly in the eyes. It can be seen as a form of aggression.
• Never disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating or tending to her puppies.
• Don't run past a dog. It can bring out their aggressive side.
• Never reach through a fence to pet a dog.
• Never leave children alone with a dog.
• Walk your dog regularly for mental stimulation.

What To Do If A Dog Bites You

• Clean the affected area with soap and water.
• Go to the hospital if the bite is severe.
• Keep the wound covered with bandages and antiseptic ointment.

Dog bites can be preventable if you heed the signs of aggression.

Let's Discuss!

What tip can you offer regarding dog bites?

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Dog Bite Prevention Week

Dog Bite Prevention Week

I remember when I was five years-old. I adored my aunt's dog. He was small, white and fluffy. I always loved dogs at a young age. Once when he was sleeping, I decided to pet him and wanted to keep doing it. He was not wanting the attention and gave me a tiny bite on my left hand. I didn't cry but was surprised instead. My dad wound up admonishing me for not leaving the dog alone when I should have. Although one can barely see it, I have a tiny scar from that day and when I glance at it, I remember.

Bite Prevention Week will be from May 16th to May 22nd. In the United States, the Center for Disease Control website states that there are 4.5 million dog bites in a year. Children are the majority of these.

How To Prevent A Child From Being Bitten

Children do not realize fully of how cause a dog to bite. They just love the dogs and enjoy their company. Here are some precautions that you can take:

• Know How To Approach
So many times, a kid will run up to a dog and want to pet them. Dogs can easily misconstrue this as an attack and will bite as a defense mechanism. Whenever I encounter a child when I'm walking my dogs and they ask to pet my dogs, I always tell them to put their hand in front of them so the dog can sniff them. It is a gentle, non-confrontational way to meet.
• Don't Hug A Dog
Some dogs do not mind a hug from children but for most, it's too much of an invasion of their personal space. When dogs feel crowded they will feel the need to fight back to regain that personal space. Instead, a child should rub the side of their neck or glide their hand lightly along their stomach.
• Never Wake A Sleeping Dog
Ever been startled out of a deep sleep? Whenever that happens to me, I feel a little grouchy at the very least. One can only imagine what a dog feels if that were to happen. Let sleeping dogs lie is a well-known phrase that definitely applies when kids are considering doing this.
• Stand Like A Tree
If a dog starts chasing children or growling at them, the best way for a child to avoid an attack is to stand still with their feet together and their hands at their side. Also, don't make eye contact. It's an invitation for a dog to fight.
• Know The Right Games
Dogs love to play just as much as many children do. Games like Tug Of War or Chasing A Dog, actually encourage aggressiveness, which can lead to biting. Instead, have the child play games like Hide and Seek or Fetch. Those are games that are based on teamwork and the dog will not feel as threatened.

Learn More About Bite Prevention

Dog Gone Safe is an excellent website that specializes in dog bite prevention. They are a great resource for this topic. If you would like to see their website, you can find it here.

Let's Discuss!

What are your dog bite prevention tips?