Dog bite prevention is a cornerstone of animal welfare. Most people don’t realize that, though, which is why awareness campaigns like National Dog Bite Prevention Week are so important. So many dogs are relinquished to shelters or put down because of preventable dog bites. Breed-specific legislation is frequently the knee-jerk reaction to a serious dog bite. Yet the focus of blame for dog bites is all too often placed on the wrong end of the leash–on the dog.
There have been some incredible posts about this important topic already, so I wanted to pass along three really phenomenal dog bite prevention posts that are worth a read and a share:
- No Dog About It: Preventing dog bites before they happen
- Fidose of Reality: Nine Ways to Prevent Dog Bites
- I’m Not a Monster: Any Dog Can Bite. Here’s How You Prevent It. (SUPER thorough – if you don’t read anything else, read this!)
And, if you’re a parent of both kids and dogs, or a teacher, or someone who has positive influence in a kid’s life, check out these super catchy videos from Stop The 77. The preschool video (scroll down about halfway) is really cute, and there are printable posters and things to go along with the videos. There’s even a section for trainers (all the way at the bottom) with tons of hands-on tips and information for teaching dog bite prevention.
This is important stuff. Keeping people and dogs safe, keeping dogs out of shelters, and staying on top of BSL-inciting incidents is vital for our dogs’ wellbeing. Read and share!
Have you seen any other great National Dog Bite Prevention Week posts, videos, or campaigns? If so, please share in the comments so we can all take a look!
this is a good reminder post, even dogs that you don’t usually worry about biting sometimes will for lots of reasons…thanx for sharing…stella rose
Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to check these out as Ducky has to be crated — or taken to daycare — when we’re expecting people at the house. She is extremely uncomfortable around other people when hubby or I are present. I’ve been working with her, but she’s coming along very slowly.
TY so much for including the Fidose link in your list – I really appreciate it and am reading through the others you mentioned. See you soon!
I have a dog I do not trust around most people. I simply do not allow him to be in situations that could potentially end in a bite. Which, for him, is just about every situation. Thanks for sharing these links.
Very timely as I just found myself on a receiving end of a bite this morning. (Had to go home and there was a stranger in the apartment hallway just hanging out at 6 am, which never goes well.) My leg is bruised and it still hurts an hour later, but I’d rather it be me than someone else.
So many times (SO MANY) I watch as people don’t notice the warning signs. I try to point them out and they just don’t see them. When it comes to kids and dogs, the very best thing you can do for any dog or child is to teach them to remove themselves if a situation is not right for them. I have always trained the dogs that if something is causing them anxiety (exuberant nieces in tutu’s!), that they can get up and leave the room. If I see this happen (dog leaving room), I never let the child follow.
And so often, people overlook growls. Growls are not a bad thing, growls are a dogs way of saying ‘help, I’m uncomfortable with this!’. Listen to that!
Thanks for the shoutout Maggie. I tried to make National Dog Bite Prevention Week a highlight this year. There is so much we can do to prevent dog bites. The one I wrote today seems to be resonating with people.
Even more exciting is how many people, like you, who have gotten the word out. Thank you!
I hope that other readers will also experience how I feel after reading your article. I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it.