Children and Dogs:

Why do dogs bite?

Dogs very rarely bite without provocation, but the provocation may exist only in the dog’s mind! We need to realise that dogs do not think in the same way that we do, they look at the world around them and the people in it from a different perspective. Most of their actions are instinctive. A dog will interact to a situation in accordance with his instincts, unless these instincts are overridden by the consistent training and socialisation that he needs to receive from his owner throughout his life.

It is important to remember that the dog is by nature a pack animal and in our domestic dog’s mind the family is the pack unit and everyone in that family has a certain ‘position’ in the pack. In most families one or both parents are seen as the pack leaders and the dog is subordinate to them. Depending on the dog, this may be very obvious or it may not really matter much, but when small children are involved dogs are likely to consider that the children are equal or lower than them in the pecking order and this is where problems may arise.

If a dominant dog is unhappy with a subordinate dog he will show that he is unhappy by his body language. He may turn his head away, yawn, lick his lips and try to move away. If this doesn’t work, then he will growl and possibly bare his teeth. If this still doesn’t work, then he may snarl and quickly bite the other dog, but without injuring it badly. A similar situation arises when a small child, who is engaging with the dog, is unable to understand this language.

In one of the most commonly-reported scenarios in a bite case, a very young child wants to pet or hug a dog. The dog does not want this attention. His first instinctive reaction is to show his displeasure by giving a warning growl. This means that something more unpleasant will follow if the warning isn’t heeded. The type and number of warnings given can vary. Many dogs, faced with a child like this, would just walk away. If the child keeps trying to pet the dog, a sterner warning, usually a growl, will follow. Some warnings are more subtle, for example stiffening of the body. Few dogs bite without giving some indication beforehand.

However, small children (and some adults) don’t recognise a warning when they see or hear one, so a very young child, who doesn’t know what a growl means, will continue to pet or follow after the dog, even though the dog has clearly told him what will happen if he doesn’t stop.

Dogs instinctively set up an invisible ‘personal space’ around themselves. When someone whom the dog sees as threatening or unwelcome invades his space then the dog has two choices; either to run away or to defend himself. The small child who is petting and hugging him has already well and truly invaded his ‘space’. If he has tried to leave or given a warning, with no response from the child, then in his mind his only recourse is to bite. This is normal instinctive behaviour.

There are other circumstances that may provoke a dog to bite. Children, running, playing, fighting and screaming are highly stimulating to a dog and will often bring out his predator/prey instinct so that he may chase them and jump on them, or even bite. Children who are rough and wrestle with dogs are unknowingly encouraging them to use their teeth. To a dog this kind of play is like the play he would have with littermates or other dogs, where using teeth is allowed.

Remember:

Dogs don’t think in the same way that people do. A child’s innocent action, petting the dog, can be a provocation for a bite when seen through the eyes of a dog.

Adult supervision:

Adult supervision is essential!
Small children should never, ever be left alone with any dog, no matter how reliable the dog has been before. Telling the toddler to stay away from the dog is not enough.
Remember that young children are unpredictable and they do not recognise when they may be in trouble. Furthermore, they do not understand the consequences of their actions. It is up to the adult to keep them safe from the dog and to keep the dog safe from the child. This cannot be emphasised enough. If you cannot be there to handle whatever situation may arise, then the dog should be kept away right out of the child’s reach. Remember that every family dog should have a space of his own which is out of bounds to the children.

A relevant and very sad story appeared in an article on animal cruelty. A placid, seven year old Labrador had bitten an eighteen month old toddler in the shoulder and the little boy needed over thirty stitches. Whilst he was in hospital the beloved family pet was taken to be destroyed. Afterwards, when the vet was removing the body from the table, she noticed something in the dog’s ear. It was a pencil stub and it had been pushed so hard into the dog’s ear that it had penetrated the ear-drum.

Teaching children how to behave with dogs:

Children should be taught, from as early as age as possible, how to interact with dogs safely, in the same way that we teach them to cross the road safely. Here are some important rules to give them and of course you must teach by example.

Training the dog:

Obedience training and socialisation are absolute ‘musts’ for a dog who will be spending time with children. Remember that a dog will always act according to his instincts unless he receives proper training, or if that training isn’t kept up with regular practice.

The dog needs to be taught to obey commands under all conditions, no matter how distracting. Just as responding to the command ‘come’ could save the dog’s life one day, so an immediate response to the command ‘leave it’ could save a child from serious injury.

Courses and advice on basic training are widely available at dog obedience clubs, or there are many excellent books on the subject.
Let the children be involved in the dog’s training and teach them that dogs must be taught what you want them to do. This can easily be achieved by using food and toys as rewards.

Socialising your dog throughout his life is very important. This means teaching him to be friendly to people, children and other animals, which is achieved by accustoming him to as many different experiences and situations as possible in a happy and positive way.

© SAVED 2007