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Dogs are our best friends. Our faithful companions. Our four-legged fur babies. Although most of us know that dogs communicate by wagging their tails, barking, licking, and whining, they also sometimes communicate by biting! In fact, every year dogs bite about 4.7 million people, most of them children. That’s why it’s important to know what to do to stay safe when you encounter a dog you don’t know, and even how to behave around a dog you are familiar with.
If you encounter a strange dog, and the owner is with the dog, first as for permission to pet the animal. Never approach a dog you don’t know, and don’t stick your hand out so he can sniff it! The dog may interpret your actions as a threat. Instead, stand perfectly still. If the dog’s owner says it’s okay to pet the dog, it’s best to pet him on his upper body, but avoid his head. A hand coming toward a dog’s head could again be perceived as a threat to the animal. Teach your children not to hug a strange dog. Dogs are pack animals, and a dog interprets covering another’s body with establishing dominance. Even a friendly dog could suddenly snap.
Many of us have been taught that a dog wags his tail when he’s happy. Actually, a dog wags his tail when he’s excited…..but the excitement isn’t always good. A low, horizontal wag that causes a dog’s entire back end to move is an indication of a friendly, happy, “good excited” dog. However, stay clear of a dog that is stiffly wagging his tail high in the air. He is nervous and could turn on you without warning.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where a dog begins to attack you, your size will help establish your dominance over the dog, so it’s best to stand as tall as you can and avoid direct eye contact. If you are knocked to the ground, however, stay as quiet as possible, and use your hands to cover your ears for protection. The attacking dog may see this position as a sign of submission and simply walk away.
It’s important to remember that even your family dog could bite. While it’s unusual, it’s not unheard of. It’s best not to leave young children alone with a dog. Because of their smaller size, children are not perceived as dominant to a dog, and a child’s sudden movement could cause even the kindest, gentlest dog to snap.
Dogs are our best friends, without a doubt. However, they are animals. By taking precautions, we can keep ourselves, and our children, safe.
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