Making Friends with Fido 3 tips to prevent dog bites
BY REBECCA FAST . PHOTOS PROVIDED.
1 “Education is essential,” said Soriano. “There are specific behaviors a dog displays when in an aggressive state and being able to recognize those can help anyone avoid being bitten.” Soriano offers 3 tips on how kids and families can prevent dog bites: Be vigilant. Adults should always keep an eye on children around dogs, says Soriano, even if the dog is well known to the family and there have been previous safe interactions. “Most dog bites happen in a familiar location — in the home or a friend or family’s home,” explained Soriano. “They may happen in the dog’s territory and because children by nature can be unpredictable, there is always the chance that a dog could react negatively to a child’s attention.” Soriano also emphasizes to never take an owner’s opinion of their dog at face value. Owners often only know how their dog behaves with them or their immediate family. They are unable to foresee how their dog may react or be triggered by a new environment or situation. More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States and at least half of those bitten are children, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to the fact that children are more likely to be bitten, their injuries are often more severe. These alarming statistics, along with a passion to support safe interactions with “man’s best friend,” prompted Angel Soriano, founder of Oklahoma City’s K9 University, to develop his specialized Dog Bite Safety training. Drawing from his 40 years of experience as a professional dog trainer and animal behavioral expert, Soriano’s Dog Bite Safety training focuses on dog bite prevention as well as respecting and understanding the nature of dogs. “The American Veterinary Medical Association considers dog bites a public health crisis,” said Soriano. “But with education, we can help prevent dog bites, especially in children. I have grandkids, and like any grandparent or parent, I want to keep them safe and teach them the tools needed to avoid being bitten.” While Soriano regularly provides training for organizations where employees come in contact with unknown canines — think mail carriers, utility workers, law enforcement and many others — he also wanted to help educate children in a fun way they would remember. That’s how The Adventures of Frannie and Frankie came to be: this kid-friendly video series teaches children how to avoid potentially dangerous situations with dogs, and, if a risky situation occurs, how to best react to protect themselves.
THE ADVENTURES OF FRANNIE AND FRANKIE VIDEO SERIES HELPS KIDS AVOID POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITH DOGS.
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Know the signs. To avoid a dog bite, it’s vital to recognize the signs of aggressive dog behavior and to teach children to view them as warnings. “Watch for stiffness,” said Soriano. “Dogs will stiffen up or momentarily freeze when they are uncomfortable. It’s a subtle cue that lets you know it’s best to keep your distance. Also look for hackles, which is when a dog’s hair on its back is standing up. This happens when a dog is fearful or feels threatened.” Other more obvious signs of aggressive behavior include growling, barking, lunging, snarling and baring teeth. These are all indicators that the dog is in a state of fear, frustration or agitation and may react by attacking and biting.
18 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2023
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