Major Veterinarian Holiday Rescheduled


Are you celebrating Dog Bite Prevention Week right now? I regret to inform you that it’s been moved to the second week of April, and you already missed it. I’m sorry for letting you fall behind this year.


Dog bite prevention is really a very important topic; statistics show that around 50% of American children will sustain a dog bite by the time they turn 12. Almost all of these bites come from a dog that’s familiar to the child. I’ve taught a few workshops for kids on this safety issue. Here are some simple lessons that can help protect the children in your life.


Most bites come from dogs that are scared or startled. They’re not aggressive animals; they just feel like they don’t have another alternative at the moment. If your children can learn to identify a frightened dog, they will know when to stay away. Animals communicate with their ears, tails, eyes, and bodies. A fearful dog might hide behind furniture and other objects. He may try to make his body appear small by hunching it up. The tail might be tucked underneath and the ears pulled backward. I use a lot of photos to help kids identify the body language of dogs who do not want to be approached. One of these visual cues is something I’ve called “half-moon eyes”, where a white portion is visible alongside the eye, in a crescent shape. The white of the eye becomes visible when a dog is looking slightly to the side because he is afraid to make direct eye contact with you. Have kids watch for these physical signs of nervousness and always remind themselves not to approach a fearful dog.


Dogs are watching our body language too. They can become agitated by movements we might consider harmless, such as hugging around the neck. We mean this as a message of affection, but the dog may hear, “You’re not going anywhere!” In dog language, staring into the eyes can be interpreted as a challenge, and putting a human face close to theirs might be viewed as a threat.


Be sure to tell kids that many dogs are born with a love of the chase, and that can get out of hand fast. If a dog is running toward you, never turn and flee, even as a game. You could turn this situation in the wrong direction by enticing the pet to chase and nip. By the same token, an aggressive dog that means to attack will be locked in on the target if he sees you turn away and run.


If a strange dog approaches you outside, what should you do? Experts advise that you stand perfectly still and look at the ground, not into the unfamiliar dog’s face. Keep your hands down at the side and remain motionless. Remember… don’t run!


Please share this simple information with the kids you know. Fifty percent is way too high. Help me change that in 2017.


Dr. M. S. Regan