A–Z Glossary

Dog bite

A dog bite is an injury caused by a dog’s teeth and may occur even with a familiar, well-loved family pet.

← Back to A–Z Glossary

Search results for: Dog bite

Safety planning for children who walk a dog alone

Safety planning for children who walk a dog alone

Start with a readiness assessment There is no single age at which every child can safely walk a dog alone. Readiness is better judged by observable skills. The child should be able to follow several instructions in sequence, stay focused without a phone or other distraction, recognize unsafe situations, and ask for help without feeling […]

Teaching children safe behavior around unfamiliar dogs

Teaching children safe behavior around unfamiliar dogs

Why unfamiliar dogs require careful boundaries Children often judge a dog by its size, appearance, wagging tail, or the owner’s reassurance. These observations are not enough to establish safety. Dogs communicate through posture, movement, facial expression, vocalization, and changes in arousal, and those signals can be subtle. A wagging tail does not always mean a […]

Preventing bites when children interact with pets

Preventing bites when children interact with pets

Why children are particularly vulnerable to pet bites Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites because they may be less able to interpret canine communication, regulate impulses, or move away quickly. A child’s face, head, neck, and hands may also be close to an animal’s mouth during ordinary play. A small child may approach from […]