Released August 20, 2009
MANHATTAN, Kan. – In his job as a state wildlife specialist, Charlie Lee has to know how to handle himself around dogs. He’s regularly in contact with two extremes of the canine world: trained working dogs and the wild dogs that occasionally can run in packs.
Either extreme can be dangerous. Yet, Lee has discovered something odd as he travels the state for Kansas State University Research and Extension.
“People seem much more concerned about the potential for wildlife attacks than for dog bites. Folks from Kansas to California, for example, really worry about mountain lions – pumas. But, U.S. and Canadian mountain lion attacks together average about five per year, with perhaps one fatality,” Lee said.
In contrast, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates U.S. dog bites totaled about 4.7 million human victims last year. More than 800,000 of the victims required medical attention, about 30,000 needed reconstructive surgery and at least a dozen died.
“If you know much about animals, you could guess some of the CDC’s other statistics,” Lee said. “The most likely victims are fairly small, curious and lacking in judgment – in other words, children up to 9 years old. Biting victims also are more likely to be male than female. And, their attacker is likely to be a family dog that’s out in its own yard.
“That combination could be something for parents to think about if their children are going to be walking to school this fall or waiting for a bus.”
Lee believes Americans could go a long way toward reducing dog bites if they simply did a more thorough job of preparing children, as well as selecting and training their household pet. (See sidebar.)
Train Children When They’re Ready
Little children have to learn that a living pet is not the same as a stuffed animal or cartoon dog. They must learn what “be nice” means, while also discovering they can hit, poke, scream, pull, kick, bite and squeeze. So, leaving a baby or toddler alone with a dog is asking for trouble, no matter how gentle the pet may seem.
Parents have to judge when children are ready and mature enough to learn how to interact with dogs, Lee said. Children who are apprehensive or afraid of dogs may need more time
He explained that on some level, even well-trained dogs are always judging human actions in terms of fight or flight (predator or prey). A dog may feel threatened if a child suddenly runs up and tries to pet it. The same dog may give chase if a child yells and runs away.
“Parents need to spend time with their child in interactions with an array of dogs. Their goal should be to build the child’s skills and comfort level, letting the child set the pace,” Lee said.
He recommends starting by taking the child for a stroll where owners will be walking their dogs on a leash. Then, coach the child through three steps: Ask the owner’s permission to pet the dog. If allowed, approach the dog slowly, with hands at sides. Then ask the dog’s permission by holding out one hand to be sniffed.
A fully accepting dog will respond by licking the hand. Fast tail-wagging can be a positive sign, too.
Help Defuse, Avoid Confrontations
Lee said many of the other lessons children need to learn come down to two basics: Dogs tend to guard things they “own.” And, they don’t like to be caught off-guard -- surprised. For example:
- Don’t reach through a fence to pet a dog.
- Leave dogs alone if they’re tied, chained, penned or solo in a car. Even if their situation isn’t a sign that they’re wild or aggressive, the dogs are quite likely to feel protective of their space.
- Don’t sneak up to or disturb a dog that’s eating, sleeping, chewing on a toy, or caring for puppies.
- Avoid causing pain, even in play.
- Avoid any free-roaming dog that you don’t know. If one approaches you, stand very still and avoid direct eye contact by looking at your shoes. Then, when it loses interest, slowly back away, never turning your back on the dog until you’re safely away.
“That’s the way to react to an unfriendly dog, too. But first, children need to recognize the warnings that it’s time for them to stop – to freeze in place so the dog doesn’t decide they’re predator or prey,” Lee said.
All canines tend to use the same hostile signals: Intent stare. Tense body, perhaps with neck raised and/or head lowered. Grimace or lifted lip to show sharp teeth. Raised hackles (upright hair on neck and back). Growls or fierce barking. Tense tail – which may actually wag, but slowly.
If a dog attacks anyway, the best response is often a calm, stern “NO!” while offering anything else the dog could bite and shake –sweater, backpack, shoe. If knocked down, however, people should roll into a ball, cover their ears with their hands (which also provides elbow protection for the face), and lie as still as a rock. Then, when the dog has wandered off, they should report it immediately.
“Ideally, children will be self-confident, comfortable around dogs before parents get to the lesson about ‘What if the worst happens?’” Lee said. “With lots of positive exposures to dogs under their belt, they’ll be better able to understand that people cause most dog attacks, and they’re not going to be one of those people. But, they’ll be prepared, just in case.”
More information from the CDC is available on the Web at http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/dogbite-factsheet.html.
SIDEBAR: Owner Choices Can Set Stage for Dog Bites
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Dog owners can help determine whether their pet adds to the millions of dog bites recorded every year. The first step is taking care in selecting a household pet.
“We all know the feeling. But, it can be unfair to you and the dog both if you choose a pet just because a particular puppy seems cute or playful,” said Charlie Lee, Kansas State University Research and Extension wildlife specialist. “That’s the last step in the selection process. You need to do some homework first.
“First, for example, you need to select the correct breed of dog for your family, keeping in mind that four to five breeds have been responsible for 75 percent of U.S. dog bites and maulings. Besides that, remember that any dog can be dangerous if it has been treated harshly or trained to attack.”
In general, the best household pets feel like a valued member of the family, he said. They’ve been socialized as puppies – taught to interact and behave well with humans – and recognized they’re not the group’s alpha dog. Depending on owner and dog, that can require some professionally-led classes.
“Whether that works over the long haul, though, will depend on whether the dog is still a good fit for the family when it matures. That’s the reason for the initial homework,” Lee said.
Owner time, yard space, handling skills and interest can reduce the pool of potential pets. Some dogs grow up to need lots and lots of active exercise. Others need regular grooming or a fair amount of space.
“The dog’s needs, size, temperament, loyalty – lots of things help determine how happy you both will be,” the specialist said. “A breed that’s usually intolerant of children, for example, or prefers a single-owner household simply isn’t a good choice for a traditional family.”
Veterinarians, animal trainers and responsible breeders can provide ideas about kinds of dogs that could fit well with a particular household. The American Kennel Club provides an array of information about each recognized dog breed (http://www.akc.org/breeds/) and “The Complete Dog Book”).
“The more you know, the more insights you’ll gain,” Lee said. “If you find a mutt that looks a lot like Toto in the ‘Wizard of Oz,’ for example, you’ll realize it has Cairn terrier in its background. Cairns were bred for centuries to be high-energy vermin hunters. So, your mutt may be likely to wear you out, as well as to love digging and chasing small animals. You’ll need to spend time with it to check that out.”
He listed the following as proven results that also can have an impact on which pet is best:
- Households with two or more dogs are many times more likely to have dogs that bite.
- Dogs around infants or toddlers require constant supervision. Waiting until children are older to get a pet can be a good idea.
- Pets that are never allowed in the house are more likely to bite. If they’re tied while they’re outdoors, the odds are even higher.
- Dogs that received non-abusive obedience training from or with their owner are safer pets.
- Dogs from an aggressive breed or with a history of aggressive behavior are an unnecessary risk.
“You should never encourage or reward aggressive behavior, particularly if your pet could ever be around children. And you need to define ‘aggressive behavior’ from your pet’s point of view,” Lee said. “Playing by wrestling with a dog, for example, may seem harmless. But, the dog experiences it as a fun way to practice bringing down prey.”
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http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/ksrenews/story/dogs_friend082009.aspx
Source: Charlie Lee, clee@ksu.edu
Writer: Kathleen Ward, kward@ksu.edu
