My Pet World: Most dog and cat bites can be avoided!
Just as positive exposure can sway dogs who don't like postal carriers, it can do the same to boost pets' opinions of children.
Many families get a dog or cat as their first 'child.' When the real thing comes along, with no previous positive experience with babies, many pets don't know what to make of them, Aspros notes.
"They're loud, smelly and take attention away from them. Once they become toddlers, they move fast and unpredictably; for many pets that's scary," he points out.
Most dog bites occur in the home and to children known by the dog.
When children meet dogs outdoors, caution is equally important.
Before allowing your child to pet a strange dog, make sure the youngster asks the handler, "Can I pet?" Even if the answer is yes, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the dog's body language, Aspros says.
When meeting adults, some dogs just prefer not to interact.
"The reality is that not all dogs consider it a good thing to be petted or stroked by people they don't know," adds Reisner. "We should respect that."
Often, dogs who bite have a history of biting, or at the very least acting aggressively. But what about a dog or cat who suddenly and uncharacteristically bites?
"That might be about a person who treated a pet harshly," says Reisner. "Or the explanation might be medical, such as a pet who's in pain."
The AVMA offers free handouts and various other resources regarding dog bite prevention. Check https://www.avma.org/public/Pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx.
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