The Kirkland Courier (Kirkland, WA) dated 4/9/08 motivated me to write a blog on dogs and kids. The information below is taken from the Courier's Police Blotter.

4:30p.m. A four year old Everett girl was petting a Golden Retriever owned by a 54 year old Port Angeles woman when the dog bit her (the child) in the face. Emergency aid responded and advised the parent the girl would require stitches to her left cheek.

I do not know the details of this unfortunate incident but based on the injury it would seem the child may have been hugging the dog or allowed to put her face in the line of fire. People do not expect a Golden Retriever to bite anyone as the media tends to only cover dog bites from those "other" breeds.

Goldens investigate the new addition (copyright 2008 Diane Rich)

Reported dog bites around the country are in the thousands. Many bites go unreported. Most dog bites are sustained by young children and if medical care is needed, hospitals must contact authorities to report the bite.

Fraser, A Doberman and 7 month old baby (copyright 2008 Diane Rich)

Please be proactive and teach your young child proper interactions with pets outside the home. Many dogs do not do well with toddlers or children under the age of 5. When children pet a dog many kids are at muzzle level or allowed to hover right in the dog's face.

It never ceases to amaze me that some parents will allow their child to run up to a strange dog to pet that dog in the first place. On the brighter side, I have observed many children ask permission to pet a dog and have even been taught to thank the owner after they get to pet the dog. Kudos to those parents.

Just because your lovable pooch likes your kids or familiar neighbor kids, the dog may not be comfortable around a child he or she doesn't know. Your dog may not tolerate being hugged and squeezed by children outside the home. Especially if the child gets in that dog's face or throws their arms around its furry neck. Young children do not know their own strength and may tend to squeeze a dog too hard, accidentally step on the dog or frighten the dog in some way.

Great relationship with the family pet created through training (copyright 2008 Diane Rich)

A few pointers to help everyone have a good day when children want to pet your dog are; after permission is granted from the parent, make sure your child friendly dog is relaxed. Some dogs are more relaxed in public if asked to sit and stay before the greeting can take place. Depending upon the dog, I suggest kids approach from the shoulder and pet the dog on the shoulder, not the head and face. I would suggest not allowing the child to hug your dog.

Many times I will squat down next to my dogs or client's dogs to help the dog know I am allowing this interaction. With many dogs I suggest the owner also pet the dog on the side the child approaches to help lightly control the head. You can always suggest to the child, or even an adult how you would like them to approach and pet your dog.

I wish you the best experiences when your dog interacts with children.

Diane Rich
Diane Rich Dog Training, LLC
www.spokesdog.com