Dog Bite Prevention Resources and Tips for Children

Each year, about 5 million people in the U.S., most under the age of 13, are bitten by dogs. Dog bite injuries are a leading cause of emergency admission of children to hospitals. The good news is that most bites can be prevented.

The following resources are designed to help teachers, humane educators, and parents engage children in learning to be safe around our canine companions:

• The BARK (Be Aware, Responsible and Kind) Dog Bite Prevention Program is the only one of its kind proven effective in teaching elementary-school students how to behave safely around dogs. The programs consists of an activity book of lessons, worksheets and coloring pages and the video, Dogs, Cats & Kids.
• Dogs, Cats & BIG Kids is a video produced for children in grades 4 through 8.
• The BOW WOW "OW!" Learning To Be Safe With Dogs video offers a mix of animation and a real-life setting to hold younger children's attention (recommended for ages 4 to 9).

• The colorful, oversize Play It Safe with Dogs™ Megaposter prominently displays bite prevention tips, canine body language, and situations that commonly lead to dog bites.
• The Play It Safe with Dogs coloring book features English and Spanish text and provides hours of coloring fun.
• The Doggone Crazy! board game teaches children the dos and don’ts of safe behavior around dogs and helps them learn to interpret dogs’ body language. For ages 4-adult. 

Children should keep in mind the following tips whenever dogs are near:

• Mother, may I? Rule number one: Always ask permission before petting someone's dog. Approach slowly and quietly, and allow the dog to sniff the back of your hand. Pet the dog’s sides or back gently.
• They think they own everything. Stay away from any dog who may be protecting something. That means not petting dogs who are eating, playing with a toy, tied to runs, fenced in, or in cars.
• Dogs hate surprises. Never pet a sleeping dog and never sneak up to play.
• It’s all in the body language. Tell kids that animals use their whole bodies to tell us how they are feeling, and when dogs tell us they’re angry or scared, we must leave them alone. Angry dogs try to make themselves look big by puffing up their ears, fur, and tail. Scared dogs do the opposite, shrinking to the ground with tail between their legs and ears back.
• Prepare for the worst. If a dog growls or chases you, be still and quiet. Stand with your hands at your sides (like a tree). If you’re playing on the ground, lie down with your knees into your stomach and hands over your ears (like a rock). Use backpacks or bikes as shields. Avoid eye contact, which is often viewed by dogs as a threat.
• Don’t play rough. In games like tug of war, dogs may bite by accident.
• Don’t go it alone. If you find an injured dog, get your parent(s) or another adult you know to help.

To learn more about preventing and avoiding dog bites, visit www.nodogbites.org.

Training for Animal Care & Control Professionals
Our Play It Safe with Dogs workshop teaches participants about the scope of the problem of dog bites among children and reviews new, exciting materials and activities available to teach children safe behavior. Click here for our workshop schedule and more on this and other professional development opportunities.