So let’s consider the facts.  Most dog bites do not happen outside the home – they happen inside it, and involve the family pet.  As responsible dog owners we need to understand why this happens. 

Most dogs are perfectly friendly when you greet them in a normal way.  But what might happen if you couched down, moved erratically, were squealing and reaching out to grab them with no warning?  This might turn even the friendliest dog into a crazy beast trying to defend himself, and not surprisingly so.  Yet this is the way most young children would approach a dog! 

It’s clearly understandable and we accept that a child knows no better when they are very young – but what about the dog? To a dog who is not used to children this can be a scary, strange and unpredictable experience.  So who’s at fault? Well, in my view its You, for letting a dog not used to children be introduced to them in an uncontrolled way or for letting your children literally ‘maul’ their dog. 

Parents of children who have been bitten by family dogs often say “but he gave no warning” not realizing that he may have been giving off warning signs for weeks! 

So let’s take a look at what those warning signs might be.  The following might tell you that your dog is uncomfortable around children: 

All dogs have a different tolerance level – watch you dog closely and familiarize yourself with the signals he uses. 

• Lip licking and yawning – many lick their lips when they are stressed and yawn too – learn to recognise that this is not just because he’s tired!

• Becoming very still – if he stands stock-still, almost rigid, it’s a very clear indication that you may not like the next thing he’s going to do, if things don’t change

• Looking away from the object of stress

• Scratching – yes he might have an itch, but this could also be a displacement activity, that he’s using to try to cope with a difficult situation

• Wagging his tail – this is not always a good sign! Look at how he’s holding his tail – if its moving but  rigidly straight and the rest of his body isn’t moving with it, then this is not  a happy dog – he is trying to appease the object of his stress

• Growling – this seems obvious, but if he gives a warning growl then be grateful and act on it to help him out.  Sadly he has probably been building up to this for some time and you haven’t noticed his discomfort.

 Be alert for these signs in your dog and don’t put him in the position of having to tell you by biting someone! 

Lastly – if your dog isn’t used to children or not comfortable with some adults for that matter, if he growls do not punish him.  He is trying to tell you he’s not happy – do something about it and remove him from the source of his discomfort.  After all you wouldn’t stay around people who are really upsetting, threatening or abusing you would you? Don’t force him to tolerate a situation he is not happy with either.  If he is young and you are trying to familiarise him with children, then try little and often visits for short spells and keep an eye on him the whole time.  You can make it easier for him by joining in the play yourself, to start with, and also by making the children be quieter and calmer around him.  The objective is to get him used to them as human companions before he gets used to them as playmates. 

I hope you find this helpful – the real key here is spending some time really getting to know your dog’s signals and reactions to different situations – this observation will pay dividends in all sort of different circumstances in your relationship with him.

P.S.  Do let me have photos and a short synopsis for future "Dog of the Month" features - I am sure your dog deserves the title! 

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