National Dog Bite Prevention Week is a good time to think about why dogs bite in the first place and the role we can play in prevention.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and children are by far the most commonly injured.
A total of 1,236 people were bitten by dogs last year in Oregon, the report states.
"One the most important reason that dogs bite is out of fear," says Dr. Katherine Miller, director of ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Research.
Since dogs that aren't well socialized are more likely to be fearful, it's important to expose puppies to people of all shapes and sizes – children, men in uniform, people wearing hats.
The canine brain develops in stages, and owners should start socializing puppies by seven to 12 weeks. Miss that window, and you risk having a dog that's fearful and aggressive for life.
Dogs are also more likely to attack if they feel their food or home territory is being threatened.
That's why it's so important that people – and especially children – should never approach a dog that is sleeping, eating, chewing on a bone. The same is true for dogs that are behind a fence, tethered in a yard or inside a car.
Approach a dog only if the owner is present, and never leave children alone with pets unattended.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the injury rate for people hospitalized for dog bites was highest among children between ages five and nine.
Kids tend to be more at risk for being bitten because they typically approach animals fearlessly rather than cautiously, Miller says, and their movements are more abrupt and less gentle than those of adults.
"It's important to first ask permission of the owner if it's OK to pet the dog, and then ask the dog for permission," Miller says.
Do that by putting your hand out with palms are facing upward; a palms-down position may indicate to the dog that you intend to strike.
If the dog seems open to being touched, don't pet the top of its head, which canines also interpret as aggressive.
Instead, reach for Fido's chest, the front flank where the legs meet the chest, or its shoulders.
Children are also smaller, "so they're right at eye level with dogs and often stare directly at them, which is a threatening gesture to a dog," Miller says.
If you have a dog with aggressive tendencies, train him to wear a basket muzzle (not a sleeve muzzle, which prevents panting and should be worn only briefly).
You may feel uncomfortable, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
"It's like insurance," Miller says. "It's better to pay a premium than to pay the entire amount of damage when disaster strikes.
You can also signal that your dog needs space by tying a yellow ribbon on your dog's collar, which indicates to others that they should ask before approaching.
Lastly, Miller emphasized that it's important not to judge Fido by his breed. A variety of factors can influence whether a dog will bite, such as health, training, socialization, and environment.
"There are many factors associated with aggressive behavior in dogs and breed is not the predominant one," she says. "In short, breed doesn't equal behavior."
Also check out this quick "do and don't" list offered by the ASPCA:
- Ask the owner's permission before petting a dog.
- Put out your hands with palms facing upward and let the dog smell your hand first.
- Pet the dog on the shoulders or chest instead of his head.
- Don't approach a dog running off-leash; instead try to find the owner or contact animal control.
- If a dog attacks, toss something such as a jacket, bag or other item to put between you and the dog.
- Approach a dog that is eating, sleeping or chewing on a bone.
- Go near a dog that is tied in a yard, inside a car or behind a fence
- Panic. Avoid eye contact and stand still until the dog moves away.
- Tease or chase a dog.
--Monique Balas; email@example.com