How to Keep Your Child Safe Around the Family Dog

More and more people are using dogs for protection, and the reports of dog attacks on children continue to grow. Dogs that have repeatedly been reported to attack children are Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, Bullmastiffs, German shepherds, and bullterriers. Most of these children are attached by dogs that they know, not a strangers dog. Did you know that stray dogs only account for 10 percent of attacks. There are however some very basic precautions that parents can take to protect their children. 

The first one is to properly train your children. Small children and dogs should not be left alone under any circumstances without adult supervision. This is because very young children do not know how they are supposed to treat animals. In the book "Childproofing Your Dog", by Trainer Brian Kilcommons says; From the stories we hear, the majority of problems occur when adult eyes are elsewhere. A lot of the time animals need protection from our young children.

If you have a dog in your home you really need to take the time to teach your child how to treat animals kindly. They should understand that teasing a dog should never be done. As a parent you should be able to spot any possible dangers when children and dogs are in each other's company. Another thing that you do not want to do is treat your dog like an outcast. Sometimes when a new baby arrives you may tend to ignore the dog, and send it outside in the yard. Try to maintain the dogs regular routine so that it will not be affected by any new members of the family. Also take into consideration how your child might respond to a strange dog. How would your child act with a neighbors dog? They should be taught not to approach a dog that they do not know. Help them to understand the dangers that are involved with stray dogs.