Kids are adorable and playful. They love playing with animals and petting them in their beautiful ways. But sometimes, the petting may end up wrong, and they might get bitten by your dog. What to do next? Well, do not panic. There is always a way to deal with dog bites in the cases of children as long as you take the suitable measures on time.
This article will stress what you need to do if someone’s dog bites your child. So, the next time such a situation arises, you know what to do.
- The first thing you need to do is call upon a doctor and get your child examined.
- Ask the pet owner whether the dog is vaccinated and free from any risk of rabies.
- If the wound seems to be grave, seek urgent medical attention without any waiting.
What To Do To Prevent It?
Train Them To Be Calm
Dogs are adorable creatures, but they can start feeling frightened or confused when your child jumps around and yells at them. We understand that they might be only playing with the dog and mean no harm. However, the poor dog that doesn’t understand this might end up biting them for their defence. That is why it is essential to train your child to be calm around dogs and treat them patiently. Ask them to cuddle the dog softly and not squeeze them too tight. Such things may help make the dog quite comfortable.
Let Them Go Easy
We have already spoken about how too much cuddling and squeezing can irritate the dog. They may also get annoyed and start barking. To avoid such circumstances, allow your child to start playing with the dog slowly. Let them give gentle strokes to the dog and create a comfortable bonding with the pet. Side strokes are the best. Dogs love them, so you can allow your child to try those out. However, please do not allow your child to pat the dog on their head.
Do Not Disturb When Sleeping
Dogs love their time just as much as we do. Especially when they are sleeping, they do not like to be disturbed. In most cases, dogs who are forcefully woken up from their sleep tend to get very cranky. In such situations, your child may be at potential risk of getting bitten by the dog. So, if you want to avoid such conditions, make sure your child lets the dog sleep when they are lying down. They can play with the dog once they get up.
Owner’s Approval Is Important
Owners know their dogs better than you do. They know if their dog likes to be touched by strangers. In many cases, owners are likely to give you an approving nod and allow your child to let them play with their sweet dogs. But in those rare cases when they do not allow you to do that, do not mess with their pets. If they bite you or harm you in any way, there is no way to take responsibility for it.
