K-State veterinarian shares tips to prevent dog bites

National Dog Bite Prevention Week reminds dog owners that even the most well-loved pets can bite under certain circumstances.

By Rylee Coy

College of Veterinary Medicine

As millions of households across the country enjoy the companionship of dogs, it's important to remember that even the most well-loved pets can bite under certain circumstances. In recognition of National Dog Bite Prevention Week, Susan Nelson, clinical professor at the Veterinary Health Center in the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, urges pet owners and families to learn how to prevent dog bites through education, awareness and responsible pet ownership.

"According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs yearly in the United States," Nelson said. "More than 800,000 people receive medical attention for dog bites."

Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are more likely to be severely injured. They most often occur when interacting with a familiar dog doing normal activities.

Dogs bite for many reasons, Nelson said, including fear, illness, stress, feeling threatened, trying to protect something or during play.

Nelson said most dog bites are preventable, and there are several preventive measures pet owners can take at home and in their community.

"People should educate themselves and teach children how to interact with dogs safely," Nelson said. "There are several online resources for this purpose."

Teaching yourself and others how to recognize a scared or unhappy dog is important. Dogs may have "whale" eyes, yawn, growl, raise a front paw, tuck their tail, have stiff body posture, stare or have a closed mouth. Not every wagging tail means a dog is friendly.

Nelson's other tips for people include:

• Never leave a young child alone or unsupervised with a dog, even a family pet.
• Teach your child never to approach a stray dog and to "stand like a tree" if approached by a dog. Never run, as this will cause a dog to chase. Should a dog knock the child over, the child should curl up into a ball and protect their head and face.
• Never bother a dog when they are eating, sleeping, or in their crate or doghouse.
• Never try to pick up a dropped treat or tease them with their toys.
• Avoid rough play with your dog.
• Break your house into zones to separate your pet from your children.
• Always ask the owner before petting a dog.
• Report stray dogs running loose in your neighborhood or around schools and parks.
• Do not give young children too much responsibility for the dog's care.

"All dog bites need to be reported," Nelson said. "If bitten, wash the wound with warm, soapy water as soon as possible, and contact your personal physician or go to the emergency room. Make sure to get proof of rabies vaccination from the dog's owner or veterinarian."

If your dog did the biting, immediately remove your dog from the area and confine them. Check on the victim and call 911 if necessary; otherwise, have them wash the wound with warm, soapy water and encourage them to seek medical attention. Be sure to provide your name, contact information and a copy of your dog's rabies certificate. Discuss this event with your veterinarian for advice about your dog's behavior.

"Owners should socialize their puppies," Nelson said. "Well-socialized dogs are less likely to bite out of fear of strange people or stress from unfamiliar environments. Puppy classes are a great start."

Nelson's other tips to prevent dogs from biting include:

• Train your dog using positive reinforcement methods to prevent fear that is associated with physical forms of punishment. Fear often leads to biting.
• Avoid rough play with humans, toys and other animals.
• Give your dog time to rest and be away from other pets and people.
• Give food and meals in a safe space where your dog does not feel threatened by the presence of humans or other animals.
• Train your dog to "drop" or "give" toys. Tug of war is not a good game choice, as it can lead to biting when your dog does not want to drop an object.
• If you know your dog is nervous around strangers or small children, keeping them safely in a crate or in a separate room when you have company is a good idea.
• Teach your dog to respect boundaries, such as baby gates and no-enter zones in the house.
• Keep your dog leashed while walking and teach it to sit quietly when being petted. Additionally, do not be afraid to say no to a person's request to pet your dog if it is uncomfortable around strangers.

For more in-depth information, visit the American Veterinary Medical Association's resources for dog bite prevention.

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