Recent news from doctors has reported a “surge” in dog bites directed towards children over the last six months. Based on the response from one of the news anchors repeating the story, it’s easy to see why. Her comment was, “This study is hard to imagine. You would think the dogs love all the extra attention and loving.”
With families opting for distance learning this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, undoubtedly, this trend will continue. As a professional dog trainer for the last 20 years, it isn’t uncommon to see an increase in dog bites during the spring and summer months, but these new statistics are incredibly alarming. The pandemic has already kept millions of American families home either because of remote working, lost jobs, and now distance learning. The “shelter in place” has led to dogs and kids being 24/7 and adults juggling multiple responsibilities at home. The family dog is trying to figure out their “new purpose” in the household. The rise in incidents will continue into the fall season, with dogs and children spending even more time together if management around the home does not change.
As much as your family’s routine has changed, so have your dogs. Dogs thrive in routine and predictability. That is the opposite of what life with children brings!
Like most news stations, they have no problem reporting the “problems” in the world but rarely presenting any solutions. So, NO anchor lady, more hugs and kisses are not what the family pet needs.
Let’s focus on why dogs are lashing out at kids and develop solutions to help educate families.
1. Every Dog Has A Stress Threshold
Dog bites directed towards children in their family are often due to a build-up of stressors over time with no relief. Recognizing your dog’s stressors can help you understand when your dog is reaching their threshold. It is often not an individual stressor that causes your dog to bite. Dogs rarely bite without warning but will bite when all their warning signs go unnoticed or disregarded. Parents need to know what body language cues to look for in their dogs so they know when to intervene and separate the kids and dogs. Here is a video clip from my film, Dogs to Diapers, demonstrating the warning signs your dog might be displaying around kids. Depending on the kids’ ages in your home, it is just as essential to start teaching them the dog’s body language cues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9SfmX7Q5NU
2. Dogs Need Mental/Physical Breaks
Like us, we need ways to release stress to be good parents, co-workers, and friends to others. Could you determine what exercises stimulate your dog and allow them to disconnect from the kids for a few hours daily? Some physical breaks could include long walks, swimming, playing fetch, bike rides, and playing with other dogs. Mental breaks could consist of quiet time in a room away from the kids and interactive toys to engage with (KONGS, Everlasting Balls, Bully Sticks). Allowing your dog this time can help decrease the stressors built up throughout the day.
3. Parents, Advocate For Your Dog
If your kids are continually poking and pulling at your dog, establish some boundaries and enforce them. It is not fair we expect our dogs to be so tolerant of our kids. Raising kids and dogs together is hard work. I can relate because I constantly remind my kids to leave the dog alone and let the dog rest; the dog doesn’t want a hug right now. If your conversations sound like that, then interject on your dog’s behalf and separate them for a nice break. The most common trigger to a face bite towards children is from “hugs and kisses.” Most dogs will tolerate this from family members, but remember, everybody has a breaking point.
4. A Dog Without Purpose Is Anxious And Unsettled
Dogs love jobs and leadership. Show your dog what their purpose is by creating new jobs and routines surrounding your new schedules with distance learning. Having obedience commands like “Place” and “Heel” commands gives the dog practical exercises around the kids. You can make teaching fun for the kids by adding new obedience commands to teach the family pet as part of their stay-at-home curriculum.
5. Your Dog Needs To Respect Your Kids
There needs to be a clear distinction in roles between kids and dogs. You earn respect from your dog by being a clear leader and taking ownership of responsibilities surrounding the dog’s needs. There need to be distinct boundaries around the kids. Treating your dog like a human equal gives them the authority to correct your children. Dogs correct by growling, nipping, and biting. We don’t want your dog to perceive your kids as if they were a littermate or another dog. Have your kids play a role in taking care of the family pet. In turn, this also teaches kids responsibility in owning a dog. It doesn’t need to come off as “chores.” Raising a dog in a family is an excellent opportunity for kids to learn to care for and nurture pets. Feeding, brushing, picking up after the pet, and obedience are great bonding exercises.
6. Senior Dogs Tolerance Decreases
It’s essential to know your dog and understand that their limits can change as they age, just like us. You cannot expect a senior dog to tolerate being continually poked at, stepped on, and hungover, even if they have experienced that interaction at a younger age. They might have also enjoyed that attention, but the dog’s tolerance levels can change with time. Allowing them periodic breaks from the kids gives them time to reset and enjoy them even more. Assign your senior dog a room or crate they can go in without being disturbed by the kids, and make this a rule for the household. This advice is also accurate for dogs that have underlying health issues.
7. Rescued Dogs During COVID
Reports have shown that “all across the country, animal shelters are reporting massive upswings in the numbers of animals they’ve been able to adopt out or place in foster homes.” Adopting a rescue or foster dog is not something a family with kids should take lightly. Karen Delise, in Fatal Dog Attacks, says, “It roughly takes two weeks for a dog to adjust to a new living environment.” It takes time to learn the new dog’s mannerisms and for certain behaviors to surface. Expecting them to fit into a family with kids is naïve, irresponsible, and unfair to the dog. Ask the rescue, shelter, or foster-specific questions surrounding dogs and kids. Ensure they give you definitive answers before bringing the dog home to your family. Please do not misinterpret my words as anything but caution. When you adopt an animal over a Zoom call or other alternative method, you accept the risk of bringing it into your home without physical interaction. Remember, these dogs are going through a huge life change and will need the proper time to adjust and fit into the family dynamic.
Create A Healthy Environment
Our responsibility is to create a healthy, safe home for our dog and our kids. Knowledge is the answer. Most families don’t realize the problem until the line has been crossed between the dog and the child. I have been passionate about teaching and educating expecting families before their baby enters their homes since producing the film Dogs to Diapers. The best solution is to be educated and proactive in your household.
