Minnesota Veterinary Medical AssociationDog Bite Prevention Program
Why is it important to talk about being safe around
dogs?
4.7 Million people per year are bit by dogs in the U.S.
60% of bites happen to kids
Most bites occur on the face
Photobucket.com
YOU can help prevent dog bites by learning how to be safe
around dogs and teaching your friends to be safe around dogs
Let’s talk about what’s safe and what’s not safe
around dogs
SAFE
Walking your dog on a leash
Keeping your dog indoors or in a fenced yard
Asking permission before petting a dog you don’t know
Being gentle with a dog
UNSAFE
Teasing a dog
Running from a dog that is chasing you
Trying to grab something from a dog’s mouth
Running up to a dog
Scaring a dog
Hugging and kissing a dog
Not all dogs LIKE to be petted
How would you like it if people were always trying to hug and kiss you?
There are some times when it is NEVER safe to
pet a dog
Don’t pet a dog
Through a fence
Through a car window
Or a dog that is tied up
The dog may think that you are invading his territory
Don’t pet a dog
That is eating
That is playing with a toy
Dogs naturally guard their food and toys and don’t want anyone else to take them
Don’t pet
A mother dog with her puppies
She may think that you will harm her puppies and will try to protect them
Don’t pet
A dog that is sleeping
You could startle him and he could wake up and bite you
Don’t pet
A dog that is hurt or sick
Hurt animals don’t want to be touched
Don’t pet a dog that looks scared or mean
Do you know what a scared or mean dog looks
like?
Learning about dog body language and facial
expressions can help you decide if a dog is safe to
pet
Bites often occur because the dog senses a threat
When you begin to understand how things look from the dogs' point of view, and how they communicate, YOU could help PREVENT a BITE!"
Happy Dog
Mouth open
Panting
Ears forward
Scared DogFish eye (white of eye showing)Worried expressionEars backCowering or hidingTail may be tuckedDilated pupils, “hard” or “dark” stare
Mean Dog
Lips liftedTeeth exposedMay be growlingHair may be raised on scruffEars could be back or forward and alert
QUIZ
Is this dog Happy, Mean or Scared?
Is this dog Happy, Mean or Scared?
Is this dog Happy, Mean or Scared?
Is this dog Happy, Mean or Scared?
Is this dog Happy, Mean or Scared?
Is this dog Happy, Mean or Scared?
If you ask someone if you can pet their dog and they say YES, but the dog looks scared or mean, don’t pet
that dog
You could say “No, that’s OK, I don’t think he wants to be petted right now”
If you ask an adult if you can pet their dog, and
they say YES, then pet the dog in the following way:
1.) Walk to the side of the dog and face the same direction as the dog
2.) Stand, or squat down if the dog is small. Don’t bend from the waist
3.) Let the dog sniff you first before petting. Extend your hand out slowly with the fingers curled up
Bending from the waist can be intimidating to dogs
4.) If the dog doesn’t back away, then pet the dog over the shoulders. No where else.
Do you know what to do if a strange dog runs up to
you?
STAND LIKE A TREE
What do you do if the dog knocks you down?
LIE LIKE A LOG
It is important not to run or flap your arms or legs
It is a dog’s natural instinct to chase someone that is running. If you are still and quiet, usually the dog will leave
If you need to leave, slowly back away, don’t look at the dog
Thanks for being such a great audience!
Hopefully you’ve learned a lot about how to be safe around dogs!
Continue for quiz
Time for a Quiz
Your dog is lying on the couch, and you want to sit and watch TV. Should you:
A.) Gently move him over
B.) Try to call him off of the
couch
What is the more common reason that kids go to the
emergency room:
A.) Kids that are hit by cars
B.) Kids that are bitten by dogs
Your dog just grabbed your pizza off of your plate! Should you:
A.) Let him have it
B.) Take it from his mouth
Your dog just got into a fight with the neighbor
dog! Should you:A.) Grab his collar and pull him away
from the other dogB.) Get an adult and try to distract them
with a loud noise
Where do most bites occur?
A.) To the face
B.) To the hands
Your neighbor just got a new dog! You go to visit him. Below is his picture.
Should you pet him?
A.) Yes
B.) No
How many people are bitten by dogs in the US
every year?
A.) 4.7 Million
B.) 1.3 Million
You go to the grocery store with your dad. A
cute dog is tied out front and he looks lonely.
Should you approach or pet him?
A.) Yes
B.) No
Your mom told you to take your dog for a walk. You go to get him and he’s sleeping. Should you:
A.) Pick him up and bring him downstairs
B.) Clap your hands and call him to you
You are riding your bike home, and you see a strange dog that
looks lost. He seems friendly and he starts to walk towards you.
Should you:A.) Go home and tell your parentsB.) Call him to you so you can read his tags and try to find his homeC.) Call Animal Control on your cell phone
GREAT JOB!!
Remember to always be SAFE around dogs!!
Top Related