Did you know that 50 percent of all children in the United States will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday? The vast majority of dog bites are from the family dog or another dog known to the child. It’s important to understand that any dog can bite if provoked—even the most cute and friendly dogs. That is why it’s important to teach children safe interactions as well as how to interpret dogs’ body language to better understand what dogs are feeling.
Dogs often give plenty of warning signs before they growl or snap, but if you don’t know what to look for it may be too late. In recognition of Dog Bite Prevention Week this week, Doggone Safe, a non-profit organization dedicated to dog bite prevention through education, offers resources to help children and adults recognize these warning signs and interact with dogs safely.
Visit Doggone Safe to find out more about dog body language and for free resources that can help you teach your kids. The Doggone Crazy! board game is an entertaining way to reinforce lessons about dog body language and safe behavior around dogs.
