A couple of months ago we bought a dog from a lost dogs home. Although we were not able to keep the dog because she demolished all the timber windows and doors within the first two weeks, I still love dogs and will one day find the right dogs for my boys.
Buying a dog sparked some mixed conversations with friends and family. Firstly, having a big backyard that the boys often play with their friends in, I did not even consider the fact that some children are actually petrefied of dogs. In addition to this, while wanting to entertain, I was also educated to just how many parents do not want to place their children in the same area a dogs.
Its a shame, dogs can be great for teaching children responsibility and love. The one thing that I did not stop thinking about though, was my own childrens safety. Although I have never been attacked by a dog, my husband was when he was a boy and I have heard many other horror stories so I definately didn't want anything to happen to my children.
Dogs are aminals and just like humans they can be unpredictable. Some dogs become bad because of their social environment but sometimes dogs can just get moody. As humans, if we get angry or frustrated we chose to use our voice, dogs tend to use their mouths. Of course most dogs don't bite but here are some great safety measures to follow if you are thinking about or have a dog.
- Don't leave young children in the backyard unsupervised with a dog
- Don't allow your dog play with other people chidren unsupervised.
- Allocate a seperate fenced area in your back yard and use when required (if possible)
- Do not allow your children to touch dogs while they are eating
- Take responsibility by enrolling your dog in DOG School
- Do encourage rough play with your dog and don't HIT
- Get dogs used to loud noise, tugs and pulls, before introducing them to children
Be aware that dogs are pack animals and will consider your family to be their pack. When you children are rough playing with other children some dogs can become aggressive. Children can also become agressive when a new baby is brought into the family. Dog experts suggest taking an item that the baby has worn home from hospital for the dog to smell before taking the baby home.
There are lots of guides that will tell you more information.
Interesting Figures
In America it is estimated that 1,000 people each day are treated in hospital from dog bit wounds and that there were over 30 deadly attacks in the USA in 2010. Most of the dogs had bitten children and a lot of the time these bites are on the face.
In Australia it is estimated that over 100,000 people are attacked by dogs each year but that this is not a comprehensive report of all the attacks that occur each year. “Over 60% of dog bites occur either at home or in the home or backyard of a familymember, a friend or a neighbour”.1
This information has been sourced from http://dogbitelaw.com/dog-bite-statistics/dog-bite-statistics.html and http://www.acac.org.au/pdf/dog_bite_incidence_prevention.pdf For more information visit their web sites.
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