While animals are very beneficial for kids when growing up, we need to teach children the warning signs for a dogs anger, pain, frustration, etc. The better your child/children can “read” and understand a dog, the less likely accidents such as biting will occur.

Excitement/Noises
Kids don’t realize that the noises and movements they make when playing can be very exciting to dogs. When dogs play with other dogs, they often play roughly with their sharp teeth and claws. Sometimes dogs forget that they can’t play the same way with children, and because they don’t have hands, they use their mouths to grab things. A dog can hurt by accident, just by being too excited.

Make your children aware of to play gently and calmly and if a dog gets too excited, freeze and walk away. Taking some time out is a perfect solution to give both, the kids and the dog, a chance to calm down.

Pain or Sickness
When a dog is in pain, he doesn’t understand where the pain comes from. Touching the dog might be causing him pain and will bite to stop the pain.

What you be done: If a dog is acting like he is sick or hurt, teach your kids to leave him alone — even if he belongs to your family. Tell an adult to get medical help for the dog.

Anger
A dog will protect anything that’s important to him: his toys; his bed; his food and water bowls; his people; his yard; his house; or his car. If children don’t understand this behavior and come near something that a dog feels is off-limits to everybody but him, he may bite to make this person leave his “property” alone!

What you should(or should not) do: Teach your kids NOT to go into a yard where there’s a dog you don’t know. Never let your kids reach through a car window or a fence to pet a dog. Don’t let them pet a dog that’s tied up. Don’t let them touch a dog’s “property.”

Fear or Surprise
Quick movements and sudden or loud noises are scary for dogs, and they may bite to protect themselves. If a dog thinks there is a stranger who might hurt him, he may not know how to get away, so he’ll protect himself by biting.

What you should teach: When your children around a dog they don’t know, be quiet and move slowly. Always ask the dog’s owner for permission before you pet him. If the owner isn’t there for you to ask, LEAVE THE DOG ALONE.

Warning Signs
Dogs give pretty clear warning signs when they are upset. If the ears are laid back against his head, or his legs are very stiff, he is probably telling that he feels threatened and will protect himself if he must. If the hair on his back is standing up, that’s another warning. If a dog is growling or barking with his teeth showing, it means he is ready to bite. A dog’s warning signs mean that you’re doing something he doesn’t like, so stop doing it!

What to teach your children: TO DO: