Posted by & filed under Main news

With the holidays upon us, Dog Tired thought it would be a good idea to review some dog and children safety tips as many of us will be having company over these next few weeks. Please feel free to review our previous blog post about more general Holiday Safety Tips here.

There are an estimated 4.7 million dog bites in the United States every year, according to the ASPCA, with one third of those bites delivered by the family dog. Approximately 800,000 of those bitten seek medical attention, with over half of these cases being children ages 5-9. Even if your dog may be used to interaction with kids, it does not mean that they may tolerate new children in the same way. While supervision is crucial, it is not enough. Adults supervising must be able to identify early warning signs and intervene. In fact, Robin Bennett, one of the co-writers of the Dog Gurus program, has stated that in 95% of the bite cases she’s consulted on, the parent was supervising and standing within 3 feet of the child and dog.

Adults must understand dog body language in order to accurately assess the situation. Here are some quick tips that will help you, or others you know, better identify a dog’s behavioral state while supervising child interaction:

  1. Loose, relaxed, wiggly body language shows that a dog is comfortable. Curves in your dog’s body are a good indicator that things are going well. Stiffening and/or freezing is a warning sign and requires immediate intervention between the dog and child.
  2. Be aware of stress signals including:  yawning, lip licking, and half-moon eyes. While the first two behaviors may be normal in certain circumstances, anytime you see a dog demonstrating these behaviors outside of those circumstances, it’s an indication that the pup is stressed. Seeing the whites of their eyes, or half-moon eyes, is another indication that the pup is stressed. All of these are signals to intervene.
  3. Listen for growling or stressed vocalizations. Although many owners may brush-off their dog’s growling by saying that they are “grumpy,” even if a dog may growl often, this is still a sure sign that you need to quickly intervene.

It is equally important to monitor the children’s behavior as well. Make sure that they do not startle or hurt the dog, whether intentionally or accidentally. Playing inappropriately should also be avoided; some children find aggressive responses such as the dog snarling or growling to be funny and will repeat whatever actions caused the response. As previously stated, any aggressive display is cause for immediate intervention and should be deterred on both sides. Interaction around resources such as toys and food that the dog may feel protective over should be avoided. Resource guarding can lead to aggressive reactions, so it is best to steer clear of any possibly negative situations.

Practice basic obedience training with your pup. Having your dog be able to sit, come, lie down, and leave-it will aid in all guest interaction and can be especially helpful with kids. Your pup should also have a quiet space where they can be by themselves. A dog that is uncomfortable may try to make the smart decision of exiting an interaction or situation; make sure that this option is available to them.

Remember that dogs are pack animals. While you may have established yourself as the pack leader in their eyes, often times a dog will view children as either equal or lower in the pack than themselves. This can cause them to ignore a child’s command or illicit other actions to show dominance, such as bumping into them or even baring their teeth and/or biting. Adopting a zero tolerance policy for any dog aggression as well as avoiding sources of conflict (food bowls, toys, etc.) while maintaining active and educated supervision, are the best way to negate potential bites.


Comments are closed .

Our Services Providing individualized care from head to paw, at one of our locations or in the comfort of your own home.
Current Specials
Treat of the Month

Treat of the Month

Indulge your furry friend with our delicious Treat of the Month featuring spinach, banana, and apple. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, this delightful snack not only satisfies their taste buds but also promotes a healthy coat and immune system for your beloved pup!

$5

March Madnss Pawty

Get ready to score big at our March Maddness Pawty! Join the fun with our exclusive Facebook album capturing all the exciting moments, challenge your furry friend with our special hoop jump enrichment activity, and treat them to our nutritious Spinach Blast treat. Plus, don't miss out on our paw-some bracket included for some friendly competition!

March 19th-21st $15

Award-Winning Care You Can Trust Since 2009
We are focused on staff training and ongoing education in order to provide the best experience for you and your pet. Our team is trained through Pet Tech CPR & First Aid, PACCC, The Dog Gurus, and more. We're proud to be Charleston's "top choice" for pet care.
View Our Credentials
Latest News

Understanding Your Dog’s Needs: From Puppies to Seniors

Learn More

Top 5 Ways to Brighten Your Dog’s Day in Charleston: Southern Style!

Learn More

Welcome to Dog Tired’s New Summerville Spot: Charleston’s Ultimate Doggie Destination!

Learn More

Keeping Your Pets Safe During 4th of July Festivities

Learn More

Summer Travel with Dogs: Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation

Learn More

Fall Into Flavor: Homemade Dog Treats for Your Autumn Pup

Learn More

National Rescue Dog Day 2023 With Dorchester Paws

Learn More

Stay Up-to-date with Dog Tired Sign up to receive the latest news & happenings!
Pet Sitting (843) 408-1033
Hours Mon - Fri: 7am-6pm Sat - Sun: 7am-10am & 4pm-6pm
Connect With Us