Today, I am not writing a how-to. I’m not going to teach you how to train your dog to behave the way you want her to. Today, I’m going to tell you why it’s important for you to behave the way your dog needs you to. Today, I’m going to be serious. I’m going to pour my heart out to you, whoever is reading this. I’m going to hope and pray that you take these words to heart. It is my belief that talking about this, and truly understanding this issue, is the difference between life and death for dogs and children alike.
Statistically speaking, if you have a child, your child is more likely to get bitten by the family dog or a friend’s dog.
Before you run out and race to re-home your beloved four-legged companion, please read on. This is not because your dog – or anyone’s dog – is aggressive. This is not because your dog doesn’t love you, or your child. This is not because dogs are crazed, prey-driven, man-eating monsters.
This is because, statistically speaking, most dog owners do not understand dog body language. They do not understand how to interpret what their dog is saying. Many dog owners feel that dogs should “get over” a child pestering them.
I’m telling you right now, if you think your dog should just “get over it” if your child is tugging on their ears, slapping their face, or trying to crawl on them, you are increasing your child’s chances of getting bit exponentially. You are setting your child up to a painful, perhaps even life-altering experience. And you are setting your dog up to fail.
Please understand; I am not saying you need to walk on eggshells around your dog. I’m not saying dogs need to be wrapped up in a bubble and protected from every stressful experience.
What I AM saying, is to learn to READ YOUR DOG. Do you know what it means if a dog looks away? Do you know what whale eyes mean? Do you know what it means when your dog yawns and isn’t tired, or licks his lips when no food is present? These are extremely subtle signals to us, but to a dog, these signals are screaming “PLEASE STOP! I AM NOT COMFORTABLE! I DO NOT WANT TO BITE, BUT I WILL IF YOU PUSH ME.”
I’m asking you to LISTEN. I’m asking you to stop your child from climbing on, tugging on, cornering, or otherwise doing things to your dog that your dog does not want to be done to him.
You CAN condition your dog to be okay with this treatment. But first, you MUST let your dog know that you WILL be there for him, that you WILL listen, that you WILL respect his wishes to not be pestered.
I’m not saying this because I think dogs are more important than humans – I don’t. I’m saying this because I am heartbroken for every single child whose face is permanently disfigured; for every child that is killed by a bite that was only meant to warn; for every family who now has to deal with the unfortunate side-effect of miscommunication.
Dogs were bred to be biddable; to stick with us through thick and thin; to tolerate even the most cruel actions. This is why abused dogs learn to trust their families. This is why fearful dogs are often so happy to finally, finally feel the loving touch of a human hand.
Dogs are amazing creatures. They listen to us so well, they save our lives, and they provide comfort for those who can’t receive that comfort from other humans.
Now, I will beg you: Please, please, do not let your child accidentally mistreat your dog. Don’t do it for me. Don’t even do it for yourself. Do it for your child. YOU can prevent your child from getting bitten, by proactively teaching your child HOW to interact with dogs. Teach your child to ask permission before petting strange dogs. Teach your child to never, EVER, throw a dog, climb on a dog, slap a dog, pull on a dog’s fur, ears, or tail. YOU can help lower the statistic. YOU can save your child’s feelings, face, or even their life. All you have to do, is not allow your child to accidentally mistreat your dog. That’s it. Just step in when your dog is stressed. That is ALL you have to do.
For more information on dog bites and children, visit the links below:
Why Dogs Bite Children: A Lesson in Preventing Dog Bites in Kids
Photo credit:
Espresso Dog Training 
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