Why Do Dogs Attack Children?

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Statistics show that a very high percentage of dog attacks are involving children, approximately 80% of total cases. Do not overlook this figure, as there is a reason for it.

In this Animalwised article we will discuss the main reasons dogs become aggressive towards children, how we can avoid attacks and other important details we must keep in mind. Read on to discover why dogs attack children.

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1. Communication errors
2. Unpleasant experiences
3. How to prevent a dog from attacking a child
4. What to do if a dog bites a child

Communication errors

As a general rule adults should always monitor the interaction between children and dogs. Otherwise there is a high probability that poor communication will end with a bite, which can be very serious depending on the size of the dog.

People tend to trust dogs a lot if they have never shown signs of aggression. However, dogs speak in a specific body language that even adults may not know how to interpret. So, what then happens to children?

Children are still developing cognitive abilities (such as perception, attention, or memory), which will not develop fully until about six years of age, making them especially vulnerable to misunderstandings.

Before an attack, the dog sends us a series of warning signals (calming signals), such as showing their teeth or growling. All this tells us that the dog feels uncomfortable enough to attack. These physical signs are obvious to us, but not to children, who believe that this is a game.

Moreover, children often do not understand the boundaries that they should maintain with dogs, leading to actions that dogs perceive as threats or annoying behavior.

Negative behaviors in children towards dogs:

• Staring
• Pouncing on the dog
• Pulling their tail
• Pulling their ears
• Pestering them (not leaving them alone)
• Not letting them rest
• Shouting
• Hugging tightly
• Putting their fingers in their mouth or ears

It is crucial to educate children on how to properly interact with dogs, emphasizing the importance of respecting their space and recognizing when a dog is uncomfortable.

Unpleasant experiences

Children are often very invasive, something that not all dogs are able to understand and respect. For them they are "small beings" who scream and can even get hurt. This is when a negative association begins to take place.

If in addition to the child acting in an invasive way we should not scold the dog for growling, (remember that they are trying to communicate their discomfort). This provokes learning by association, also known as classic conditioning. The dog begins to associate the child as something unpleasant and even as something bad, increasing their stress levels and even causing them to flee, and if that is not possible, bite.

Furthermore, dogs might have had previous negative experiences with children, such as being accidentally hurt during play. These experiences can lead to heightened anxiety in the presence of children, making them more likely to react aggressively if they feel threatened.

It should be noted that dogs have different thresholds for what they perceive as threatening based on their past experiences and individual temperaments. Understanding these aspects can help in managing interactions better.

How to prevent a dog from attacking a child

To prevent the above situations it is essential to always be present in the same room when the child and the dog are together. It does not matter if we have full confidence in our 10-year-old dog, sometimes a finger in the eye, age problems (such as arthrosis) or a moment of hyperexcitement can trigger an unexpected response. Let's not allow anything to happen by monitoring interactions.

From a certain age, we can begin to explain to a child that dogs can bite and do a lot of damage. Teach them to identify the postures of appeasement such as turning away, turning the head, licking and rotating the entire body. By educating our little ones we will make living together very positive. We will also teach them to respect the dog's toys, food or sofa, items that dogs can be very protective over.

Additionally, it is beneficial to involve children in the care routines of the dog under supervision, fostering a positive relationship. This can include simple tasks such as filling the water bowl or participating in gentle grooming activities, which can enhance mutual respect and understanding.

What to do if a dog bites a child

Aggressiveness is a very serious behavior problem, especially if it is directed towards children, in which case it becomes a public health problem. We must completely avoid contact between dog and child and the immediate solution will be to find a temporary home for the dog until we can go to a specialist.

Keeping a dog at home that growls or attacks children can lead to severe aggression, so it is not recommended to do any type of therapy or treatment on our own, without the supervision of the specialist.

It is crucial to seek professional help from a certified dog behaviorist or a veterinarian experienced in animal behavior. They can assess the situation and provide tailored guidance to address the aggression effectively. Timely intervention can prevent further incidents and help in rehabilitating the dog's behavior.

If you want to read similar articles to Why do Dogs Attack Children?, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.

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