It is Child Mental Health Week and Dog Bite Prevention Week, so we are starting off our series of daily tips on the topic of emotional support for children after a dog bite.
Children who are bitten by a dog often experience significant stress that can persist long after the incident. The may feel betrayed if their own dog bit them, guilt if the dog is put down or sent away, anxiety due to the distress that this has caused their parents and fear of some or all dogs. Signs that your child is experiencing emotional distress or even post traumatic stress include, nightmares, social withdrawal, fear of going outside or other changes in behavior that surface after the incident.
Please remember that no matter what, it is NOT YOUR CHILDS FAULT that they were bitten by a dog. If the dog was supervised and secure the child would not have encountered the dog. Be sure to reassure your child that it is not his fault and avoid using language that might add to a childs guilt ("you should have..." or "why didnt you..." or "if only you had..." or "I told you not to..."). In many cases neither the child nor the supervising adult, nor the dog owner realized that there was a danger of a bite because the dog was a generally friendly family pet. In other cases the child encountered a strange dog running loose, a situation that should have been prevented by the dog owner. Learning about dog body language and how to read the signs from a dog will help prevent these types of bites in the future and will be empowering for the child. We do not blame the victim, but we do encourage education for children just as we would for any hazard. The more they know, the less likely they are to be hurt.
Child psychiatrist Dr. R. Larry Schmitt recommends that parents repeatedly encourage and allow their child to talk about the incident and their feelings.
Read an article by Dr. Schmitt about why it is important to keep encouraging your child to talk about the bite or attack and more importantly to listen to your child.
Find out more and read answers by Dr. Schmitt to frequently asked questions from parents.
Dr. Schmitt will be giving a lecture for parents about how to help a child after a dog bite. This will be held at the San Diego Humane Society on May 22 from 6:30-8:00 PM. If your child has been bitten, be sure to attend so that you know how to prevent lasting emotional effects.
Click here for more information or to register.
Help us with our research into the lingering effects of a childhood dog bite by taking our survey:
Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the worlds leading questionnaire tool.
Doggone Safe offers some radio PSAs to help keep kids safe around dogs over the holidays. Radio stations in North America must devote some air time to PSAs. Contact your local radio station to see if they are interested in playing any of these.
Link to this information on our main website.
These dog bite prevention Public Service Announcements can be read live and some can be downloaded as recorded WAV or WMA files. Some of these are specific for the holidays and some are general for use any time. The WAV files have been professionally recorded, ready for radio play.
Download a zip file containing the PSA scripts and just the holiday PSA recordings in high quality WAV format, suitable for radio play.
Download a printable version of all scripts (holiday scripts are marked as such)
Download a zip file contained printable version of scripts and all recorded PSAs in WMA format. These are suitable for listening to with a computer or posting to a web site.
Download a zip file containing scripts and high quality WAV files for all PSAs (holiday and anytime)
Download or listen to individual PSAs produced by Doggone Safe and view each script
Thanks to Theresa McKeon and Brian McKeon for donating their time to creating the recorded PSAs
Listen to PSAs produced by Big Dog 92.7 in Regina, Saskatchewan
Thanks to Tracy Block of Big Dog 97.2 and Sally Cleland for their time in creating these. If other radio stations would like to air any of these, please contact Tracy Block for broadcast quality versions.
PSAs Produced by Big Dog 92.7
26 Stitches
Adopt a Classroom
Learn to Be a Tree
Relearn ABCs
Straight Facts
Strange Dogs
SVMA 100th Anniversary
PSAs and Scripts Produced by Doggone Safe
To download individual files right click and choose "save target as" to download.indicates holiday PSA
PSA1
Listen
Celebrations at Grandma’s house over the holidays are the stuff of fond memories. Noisy gatherings can make Grandma’s dog very anxious. Even the most docile pet may bite if provoked. Supervise!
Download high quality(WAV)
PSA2
Listen
Ho! Ho! Ho! A man in a red suit coming down the chimney may be very scary for the family dog. More dog bites occur during holiday times than any other time of the year. Supervise!
Download high quality(WAV)
PSA3
Listen
Did you know that dogs talk to us all the time? A happy dog pants and wags his tail. A bossy dog has his ears forward, his mouth closed and his tail held high. This dog does not want to meet you.
Download high quality(WAV)
PSA4
Did you know that dogs talk to us all the time? A happy dog pants and wags his tail. A scared dog has his mouth closed and holds his tail between his legs, he may even be wagging it or backing away. Give a scared dog his space, he might be scared enough to bite or growl to get you to go away.
no recording
PSA5
Did you know that dogs talk to us all the time? A happy dog pants and wags his tail. A bossy dog stands tall, leaning forward with his ears forward, his mouth closed and his tail held as high as he can get it. This dog does not want to meet you, he wants you to leave his place and his stuff alone.
no recording
PSA6
Listen
If you are visiting a friend with a puppy and the puppy is too frisky and jumping , you should…
A. push the puppy away
B. pick the puppy up by the scruff of the neck
C. Be a Tree and stand still
The answer is C. Be a Tree. Trees are boring and the puppy will soon lose interest.
Download high quality(WAV)
PSA7
Listen
If a strange dog comes over to you, you should…
A. yell at the dog to go away
B. Be a Tree and stand still
C. try to make friends with the dog
The answer is B. Be a Tree. The dog will most likely sniff around you and move on. Never touch a strange dog.
Download high quality(WAV)
PSA8
Listen
If a dog is loose and barking at you, you should…
A. Be a Tree and stand still until he gets bored and goes away
B. run away screaming
C. try to pet him to calm him down
The answer is A. Be a Tree. Stand still and look at your feet.
Download high quality(WAV)
PSA9
Listen
Did you know that dogs don’t like hugs and kisses, especially from kids or strangers?. Your dog may tolerate many hugs before finally snapping.
Download high quality(WAV)
PSA10
Did you know that most dog bites to children are by a family pet in someone’s home and that hugging the dog is a common cause if these bites? Dogs warn before they bite and you can learn to speak dog and recognize the signs of a dog that is tolerating, but not enjoying attention from a child. Keep kids and dogs safe this holiday season, watch for signs of anxiety in the dog and intervene if you see them.
Reprinted from the Family Paws Parent Education blog
As the holidays approach and you make your plans keep in mind that stress and changes in routine can impact our dog’s behavior.
Often we get frustrated and are on edge as there is so much to do to prepare for dinners, visits and other celebrations. The following is a glimpse of some of the confusion our canine family members may experience. Keep in mind that as you are busy rushing around your dog is observing and sensing a change in you. They may “act out” if and when usual attention seeking methods do not work.
This is predictable and can be avoided by being aware and maintaining some of the usual routines your dog is comfortable with. Plan and prepare ahead for success.
I wrote this years ago (2005) with my dog Carin in mind. This is what I imagined when I put myself in her shoes on a busy morning like this.
Hi, My name is Carin. I am a spunky young and beautiful female dog. I am writing to share an experience with you that many of us dogs feel needs to be addressed and understood by all of our 2 legged friends. So, here is the story. This morning was different then most. My 2 legged friend got up before I was ready and convinced me it was time to go “potty” in the dark. Seems a bit backwards from my point of view and I was a bit thrown off. Anyway, I went with her odd idea of going potty before the sun went up. It is only every now and then that she does this odd routine change. This means our whole day is unpredictable. What is she thinking!?! As I am out there doing “potty” she is rushing me. What is wrong with her!?! Geesh, I have not gotten an opportunity to sniff properly to strategically place my gift to the earth. “Let’s go Carin.” She says as she heads for the door. As I turn away from the opportunity to explore and leave more gifts, I wander behind her back indoors. I head for the bedroom but no, this is not where my 2 legged friend is headed. She is really confusing me. I follow her to the kitchen and figure I will just snuggle up here for a nap and ignore her apparent memory loss about the sun coming up and our relaxing time in bed together for a morning cuddle. Seems she has forgotten altogether about that as I watch her from under the table. She even nudged me with her foot once not paying attention to my being there. Something is definitely different about today...
Many dog bites happen over the holidays, partly because dogs are stressed and overwhelmed by changes in routine and increased activity levels in the house. Parents are also stressed and frequently overwhelmed as well. The combination can lead to a set of circumstances that conducive to unfortunate accidents in which a child is bitten. These bites DO NOT HAPPEN OUT OF THE BLUE. Sorry for yelling, but we have just heard so many parents and dog owners tell us that the dog bit without warning, that he has never bitten before, that he loves kids. The latter two statements are true in most cases, the former is not. The fact is, that the dog did warn in some way, it was just that no-one noticed. By the time the dog gets to the point of growling or snapping, he is stressed to the point where he is likely to bite. For many people these overt warnings, or even the bite itself are the only things blatant enough to be noticeable. Before a dog brings out the big guns of overt aggression he will signal his distress and anxiety with more subtle signs. Most commonly these include licking his chops or flicking his tongue out, yawning, scratching himself or showing a half moon of white in his eye when a child approaches or tries to interact with him. He may give a whole body shake after an interaction with a child. Slightly more obvious, but often ignored are signs of avoidance, such as turning his head away, shifting his body away or getting up and leaving. Effusive licking of a childs face is another way that a dog might try to increase distance. This type of licking should not be confused with affection. Read more about this.
We want parents to learn all about dog body language so that they know what to look for and how to tell if their dog is happy or stressed around their child and how to tell when intervention is required. We want all parents to know the warning signs so that no familys holidays are ruined by a dog bite incident. There is lots of information at our website, but the best source of information for parents is our online course: Basic Dog Body Language. To celebrate the coming holidays and hopefully prevent some nice family dogs from biting "out of the blue" we have put this course on sale for $20 until Nov 15.
A recently published study provides evidence that child dog bite victims require ongoing emotional support.
Barbara W. Boat, Cinnamon A. Dixon, Erica Pearl, Lacey Thieken and Sarah E. Bucher. 2012. Pediatric Dog Bite Victims: A Need for a Continuum of Care. Clincal Pediatrics. 51: 473-477.
Abstract:The authors assessed the ongoing needs of 34 pediatric dog bite victims and their families 1 month after receiving care in a pediatric emergency department. More than 70% of the parents noted at least 1 new concerning behavior in their children, and more than 85% of the parents also endorsed concerns about their own reactions. Half of the parents believed that children, in general, might benefit from interventions to help with postbite fears and nearly three quarters felt that families would benefit from education regarding dog bite prevention. The majority (85%) of the parents believed that additional supportive services could be offered effectively at emergency department or pediatric office/clinic visits. A template for a dog bite information card is presented. Conclusion:In conclusion, the majority of child dog bite victims and their parents in our study experienced changes in behavior and additional stress in their lives after the incident. Furthermore, these parents expressed a need for additional supportive services and a desire for prevention education related to this topic. Thus, we advocate that child dog bite victims and their parents may benefit from a continuum of care after these injuries and that dog bite prevention education should be an integral part of any child safety discussion with families. Read the full article
According to child psychiatrist Dr R. Larry Schmitt, it is very important for children to receive emotional help after a dog bite. Children may carry feelings of fear and guilt long after the physical scars have healed. Children may try to hide their feelings because of the guilt they feel over upsetting their parents.
Read more from Dr Schmitt
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions from parents about how to help a child emotionally after a dog bite:
How soon after the incident should I start talking to my child about it?
Immediately! It is important to completely avoid making any comments about your own feelings other than to express your regret that it happened.
How many times per day should we talk about it? For the first few days at least twice a day followed by once a day for the following three weeks.
For how long after the incident should we keep talking about it? Depending on the degree of fright and injury, until the parental waves of guilt are close to flat and/or the child shows easy emotion, not suppressed or keyed up emotion when it is discussed.
What if my child starts to cry?
Try saying something like, “Wow, I see it really hurts/frightens/upsets you. It is so good for you to let me see how you feel about the dog biting you.”
What if my child withdraws or becomes irritated and refuses to talk? This is very likely a sign that it may be time for trauma counseling with a mental health expert. Say to the child, "Are you worried about how talking about it makes me feel? If you are, please understand that I am a grown-up and can handle such feelings of being sad because you were injured. This will help you to look at all the feelings that came from that dog attack.”
What if my child insists that he is fine and doesnt want to talk about it anymore? Reply to the child, “That may be right". (This is true if the parent notes that it has been discussed a great deal with a noticeable decrease in affect/emotion). Then say “I want to think about it some more.” Later, if the child still seems reluctant to talk and bothered by the topic,” I notice that any mention of it finds your face changing as if it still hurts.” “How about drawing a picture of the dog attack scene, before, during and after?”
What kinds of questions or statements can I use to engage my child in a conversation? In an intact family, observing parents conversing with each other about the accident and making gentle guesses about how the child thinks and feels about the attack. “I still think about the day when the dog hurt and scared you, do you?” “Sometimes I feel really mad about that dog biting you.” “I saw a dog barking at me when I was jogging today. I remembered what happened to you and was scared when the dog barked!”
With teenagers, whose skills in talking about a dog attack are probably closer to that of an adult you might say something like: “What do your friends say about the dog attack?”; “How many others at your school have been bitten by dogs?”; “ If you find you are dreaming about the attack or thinking about it a lot and you do not want to, consider this paradox, that talking about it with anyone will reduce such dreams and thoughts.”
What are the signs that my child needs professional help? The big ones are decreased success at school, (both socially and academically), lack of pleasure from past enjoyments, and early resistance to speak about the attack. Watch for dog phobia, avoidance of other animals, or the appearance of other new fears and anxieties.
When in doubt seek a mental health consultation and if the parents have doubts about the recommendations/conclusions of that first consultant, seek a second opinion. Consider an analogous situation with a post-surgical issue. The surgeon says they think an abscess developed out of sight with minimal symptoms that if ignored will cause problems later. Of course, with an x-ray or digital exam it may be evident. A competent child mental health expert can be expected to probe in an interview and demonstrate an emotional abscess.
What should I look for in a mental health professional? First, one who works with children; second, one with at least a five-year record in the field; third, a referral from a trusted mental health professional, and most of all, one with whom the parent feels comfortable. I prefer one who works with the child and parents together and spends less time with the child individually. In other words, family oriented therapy.
How do we know when to stop the therapy?
This obviously varies with the severity, both physical and emotional, of the injury. Assuming the child and family have a positive relationship with a competent therapist, the therapist should suggest when to stop. If the parents are concerned that it is going on too long they should suggest a hiatus of four to eight weeks, observe the child during that time and return for termination in the absence of symptoms. In the typical situation, success comes early, with promoting the child and family to discuss all aspects of the attack and its potential residuals. (2-6 sessions).
Download these FAQ as a PDF
About Dr Schmitt:
R. Larry Schmitt was born in Iowa in l936. He graduated with eleven classmates from high school in Phelps, WI. He completed his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. An internship was completed at Philadelphia General Hospital. Following that internship, he worked as an Assistant Surgeon for the USPHS in Juneau, Alaska treating Alaska Natives. The next four years found him completing residencies in general and child psychiatry at the Menninger School of Psychiatry in Topeka, Kansas. He moved to San Diego in l969 where he practiced in La Jolla until retiring in 2005. During his practice, he taught and supervised in the Division of Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. He currently volunteers at the UCSD Free Clinic with continuing contact with residents in child and adolescent psychiatry.
He is board certifed in both general and child psychiatry and a Life Fellow in the American Psychiatric Association.
This article is a summary of the article “Supporting the Child Dog Bite Victim” by Michelle R. King, M.D. Click here to read the complete article.
"Dog bites are the second most costly public health problem in the United States with half of all Americans being bitten in their lifetime". - Hoff GL, Cai J, Kendrick R, Archer R. 2005. Emergency department visits and hospitalizations resulting from dog bites, Kansas City, MO, 1998-2002. Mo Med 102(6):565-8
You Are Not Alone!
According to the Centers of Disease Control roughly 889,000 children require medical attention for dog bites per year. Of those, 31,000 require reconstructive surgery. A dog attack is a form of violence and is traumatic for a child, as is any type of violence. Such violence to a child can and does result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or other anxiety or mood disorders. If you are a parent of a child with lingering emotional effects as a result of a dog bite you are not alone, although you may feel isolated. One source of support you may wish to explore is the Dog Bite Victim Support Group, hosted by Doggone Safe. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/doggonesafe/
Dog bite Laws and support are in their infancy with the children survivors being, as in the sexual abuse survivors of more than a decade ago, those who are now isolated despite the prevalence.
Mental Health Care for Your Child
A child attacked by a dog has experienced a traumatic loss of control of their body and may require mental health assistance in order to recover emotionally. Keeping in mind the age and maturity of the child, a parent should discuss the available options for help and allow the child to have a say or even make the decision about accessing mental health care. It is important for the child to be made aware that help is available, even at a later time down the road.
Ideally mental health care would begin as soon as possible after the traumatic experience. In many cases, law suits, insurance claim settlements or other factors prevent therapy from starting when it is most required.
Treatment options should include both psychiatric, meaning an M.D., who is a physician, Board Certified in Psychiatric Medicine as well as a therapist. A therapist includes a psychologist which is a PhD in psychology, or a social worker which is usually an MSW or LCSW, among others. The treating provider, if possible, should not only be specialized in the care of children, yet also have experience with treating traumatized individuals.
How to Determine if Your Child Needs Help
Children, particularly over the age of 9, are usually resilient and while they don’t forget the incident they will recover emotionally within weeks to a few months. It is beneficial to keep in mind that the child has suffered not only a tremendous personal event, yet also a loss of control at a young age when coping with such adult issues is simply not in their emotional repertoire.
Signs that indicate the child is not coping:
·Intense fear of dogs (or other fears not present before the attack)
·Sadness
·Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
·Failing to attend to personal hygiene
·Change in interactions with peers (isolation from or aggression towards)
·Decline in school work
·Obstinate conduct toward caregiver, teacher or peers
·Aggression, anger or irritability
·Social withdrawal
·Child is emotionally distant (appears not to feel joy or sadness)
·Child seems cold, detached, robotic in their interactions
The latter three are associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and professional help is required immediately.
Keep Parental Stress Private from the Child
A parent may have very real and significant feelings about the trauma, which may involve guilt, anger, frustration, fear, worry, and can include PTSD as well as other mental health issues as a result of their own trauma. These need to be dealt with privately with the parent’s own mental health provider and not be an additional burden to the child.
Talk to the Child
Parents can support the child in the immediate aftermath by talking and listening to their child without judgment or opinion and without being overly concerned about the future or complicating the child’s concerns with the parents’ own feelings. Discussing initially with the child, in a compassionate yet problem solving manner their current issues such as social problems, where their scars are concerned, without deliberating the future of surgeries or wearing makeup if it is a younger child, can be a way to remain problem-focused. Should the child survivor have difficulties with problem-solving during this acute or immediate phase after the trauma, despite the caregiver’s efforts, it may be important to revisit the option to seek mental health guidance, so that the child may still be able to maintain their own independence in control-related matters.
Give Child Control in Decisions Affecting their Body
When possible and when the decision does not interfere with the childs physical wellbeing, giving them back some of that control can be quite valuable. For example, if at some point scar revision as a result of the attack becomes an issue, the child should have a voice in the matter. Oftentimes children receive reconstructive operations, without their voices being heard, due to the physician’s discretion primarily. Another influence in the decision to undergo scar revision arises from parental distress about their childs scars or deformity, a reminder to the caretaker yet not necessarily to the child, of the traumatic experience. A reasonable manner to approach the topic, depending upon the age and the individual child, would be to simply in an age-appropriate manner, ask if the revisions are within their wishes at the present time and how they feel about their scars. It is a very personal issue and providing them with some control again can be for many children, of vital importance regardless of their age.
Reestablish Normal Routines
Once it is medically reasonable, reestablishing usual household routines can be of benefit for the survivor and also the caretaker. Disruption of school, playtime and vacations may exacerbate and even draw further pathologic attention to disturbing issues that are of concern to the child and family as well.
Talk About the Fate of the Family Dog
In some cases (in fact most dog bites are by the family dog or a dog known to the child), the family will have to decide the fate of the dog that bit. The decision should be made with the childs opinion taken into consideration. The strength of their ballot so to speak, as with any loss, being more so depending upon their age and maturity level, rather than their physical injury level or immediate, emotional components. A reasonable rule of thumb is to seek professional guidance on this issue, if it arises, as such a decision warrants perhaps, outside objective thoughts beyond that of the authority figures who may be acting to some degree, out of, understandably their own anxiety. In addition, seeking some professional mediation may dampen any potential ill feelings within the family dynamics during a time when cohesion is of far more import.
Caregiver/Parental Concerns
Parents are affected by their childrens exposure to traumatic events and their own responses and behaviors may often adversely affect the child. If a parent begins to feel sad, anxious, or begins to experience any behavioral changes themselves, these changes, would quite likely affect the child as well. Taking care of oneself is essential to taking care of ones child during such a difficult time.
If the parent suffers from a pre-existing condition, depression or anxiety disorder, in particular PTSD, then seeking a mental health care provider is essential for the caregiver immediately after the attack. Generally it is the caregiver more so than the child survivor at some point who understandably, requires psychiatric and oftentimes psychological assistance, given the burdens and suffering of the uniqueness of the parental trauma after their child has been bitten.
About Dr. King
Michelle R. King, M.D. is a recently, retired physician, who was nearly mauled to death as an eleven-year old child, with subsequent, multiple reconstructive operations. She went on to undergraduate, graduate and medical schools, then residencies in Family Medicine, Neurology and Psychiatry. More recently, over the last two decades, she worked primarily with PTSD patients, predominantly with combat veterans from the Vietnam and Korean Wars. In her private office Dr. King has worked with both traumatized Veterans as well as distressed civilians as a result of dog bites and attacks, as well as those who are survivors of the violent, modern world. Dr. King continues to this day rescuing homeless and abused dogs.
Additional Resources
Download the complete article by Dr.Michelle King
What to do if you or child is bitten by a dog
How to help your child emotionally after a dog bite
The Liam J Perk Foundation has created a terrific sign that is very reasonably priced for parks and playgrounds to remind kids to be safe around dogs. If your community group is looking or a fund raising project, this would be a terrific project that will benefit the community for years to come. With Dog Bite Prevention Week coming up in the 3rd week of May, this is a perfect time to get started raising funds to get one of these signs.
Click here for more information about the sign and for an explanation of what all the symbols mean.
The sign will have a QR code so that people with smart phones can scan it and go directly to the Liam J Perk Website for additional information. Doggone Safe supports the Liam J Perk Foundation and is pleased to partner with them to help spread our messages about safety around dogs and educate about dog body language.
The sign comes in two versions. One is complete with a stand that you can mount in concrete and the other in an insert that you can attach to your own existing stand or to a fence or building.
You can customize the sign with the following information:
Park/location name w/logo
Donated by/event name or what ever you like to put in this area
Frame Color - you can choose the frame color from a variety of choices
The cost of the sign with arch frame is $500 (price subject to change)
The cost of the insert is $375 (price subject to change)
Shipping cost is extra and will be quoted to you when you inquire about ordering a sign.
There is also a mini versions available in poster size for dog trainers, shelters, vet offices, pet stores, and groomers.
To order a sign, please contact Carrie Perk: carrie@liamjperkfoundation.org
The newest dog training craze is clicker dog training. A clicker is a small rectangular plastic box with a metal button on top that clicks, hence the name clicker. It’s the type of training that the dog decides whether or not it suits him. There have been a lot of success stories with clickers, but with my dog he just didn’t want to know!
Researchers in dog studies believe that the clicker promotes enforced training, without punishment! As we all know when we do something good and get rewarded for it we are going to do the same again, a dog thinks the same way. Dogs learn through consequences, if they do something and it earns them a treat and praise they are going to want to do it again because they like this consequence. If they do something that you don’t like and they get ignored or said no to in a strict voice they know that they aren’t going to get any treats so are not going to do it again.
Clicker dog training works in such a way it reinforces good behaviour. If your dog sits, click and give him a treat. The next time he sits do the same but don’t say anything to him. He will soon realise that when he sits he will get a treat and hear a click, so when you eventually come to click before he sits he knows to sit. Its not all that confusing when you think about it.
Punishment is not used with clicker dog training as researchers believe that although punishment does stop some bad behaviour it may also create another unwanted behaviour. Punishment is almost always carried out after the dog has done something wrong so dogs see punishment as a random consequence therefore punishment doesn’t really solve anything.
Clicker dog training is not only used or dogs! It is widely used for other animals such as dolphins and horses. It is a widely practiced training method and does produce results; if carried out properly.
Some of the best quality dog resources and articles can be found online at MDarmas Dog Site. Our visitors recommend this website each time they try to search for dog training tips, advice and insider secrets from experts. You can search thru the form by keywords on that site or just browse their library of dog-related articles by experts in various fields of american eskimo breed dog.
Join Doggone Safe VP Jennifer Shryock and author Colleen Pelar for a weekend of learning about managing and enhancing the child/dog relationship.
Date: Sept 21-22, 2013 Location: Boston/Cambridge MA
This seminar is for trainers, shelter staff, vets, vet techs, parents and expectant parents.
CEUS: CCPDT 12, IAABC 12
Click here for more details or to register
Download seminar flyer
Seminar Agenda
DAY 1 - SATURDAY:
TIME: 9-9:30am - WELCOME: JENNIFER SHYROCK & COLLEEN PELAR
TIME: 9:30A-12:00P - WHAT DOGS WISH PEOPLE KNEW
PRESENTER: COLLEEN PELAR
The “Good Dog Myth”, impossible standard and unrealistic expectations
No “One size fits all” solution to rough toddler handling of dog
Tolerance vs Enjoyment: when does kid behavior reach “enough already!”
Teaching how to supervise and read body language & stress signals
Setting Rules & Boundaries: what to look for & when to intervene
Teens can be as tough as Toddlers!
TIME: 1PM-4:15PM - INCLUSION, REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND DOGS IN THE HOME
PRESENTER: JENNIFER SHRYOCK
Strategies to Decrease Bite Incidents (1:00PM-2:30PM) Learn proactive planning for dog & child safety zones before baby’s arrival; We will go over increase in problems due to unpredictable baby/toddler body movements; Inclusion of dog in daily activities with baby/toddler always requiring SUPERVISION; Learning/teaching canine body language and stress signals; Resident vs family dog; What we know about “inclusion”
Essential Tips For In Home Consultations (2:45PM-4:15PM)
DAY 2 - SUNDAY:
TIME: 9-10:15AM CAPTURING THEIR ATTENTION: Activities for Kids
PRESENTERS: Jennifer Shryock & Colleen Pelar
Kids learn best with active involvement. You’ll learn specific ideas for capturing kids attention and teaching them about dogs, either in private lessons or when teaching a roomful of kids basic safety like “Be a Tree”
TIME: 10:30-12PM – SPATIAL ISSUES: THINGS GET TOO CLOSE
PRESENTER: Jennifer Shryock
Toddlers & dogs can clash if things get too close and parents miss a signal of discomfort from the dog. You’ll learn about age characteristics and behaviors that often lead to tense moments; Grumble & Growl Zones and how to prevent or handle them; age related behaviors and dog/children interactions; how and when to intervene. You will learn solutions for doing “things” differently & talking to clients without causing fear or shut down.
TIME: 1:00PM-2:30PM – COMMUNITY OUTREACH: SPEAK ABOUT KIDS & DOGS WHILE PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS
PRESENTER: Colleen Pelar
Sharing what you know about kids and dogs can improve safety and understanding. You’ll learn strategies to teach people and promote your business in your community, from fun fairs to library visits to school career days.. Be A Tree; The 3 Steps For Meeting Dog; Pros & Cons of bringing a demo dog; Activities to teach kids about dog body language.
TIME: 2:45P-4:15PM – DOGS & STORKS COMMUNITY EVENT (open to expecting parents in the community)
PRESENTER: Jennifer Shryock
A live presentation of a Dogs & Storks program. You’ll hear actual questions & answers learn tips to share with clients who want to help prepare their dog for life with a baby!
Child psychiatrist Dr. R. Larry Schmitt has been very concerned about the welfare of dog bitten children. Dr. Schmitt has been very helpful to Doggone Safe and to dog bite victims by providing us with information for parents and for spreading the word in the medical community about the importance of emotional support and counseling for dog bite victims.
The typical dog bite on a child hits them at or above their shoulders. Such attacks equate to that of a bear attack on an adult, in terms of the shock, overwhelming fear and residual stress. The emotional impact on the child and the adult is huge. The difference is the adult will talk about their experience until the day they can no longer speak. The child will not talk about it and greatly needs to. This is because the child sees the sad faces of his parents anytime the topic comes up.They remain silent to save their parents from additional grief.So the child keeps this emotion load locked up in his mind. Parents must repeatedly encourage and allow their child to talk about the accident and their feelings.
R. Larry Schmitt, M.D. Child Psychiatrist
Read more in a article by Dr. Schmitt published in the journal Contemporary Pediatrics.
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions from parents supplied by Dr Schmitt and published at the Doggone Safe website: How soon after the incident should I start talking to my child about it?
Immediately! It is important to completely avoid making any comments about your own feelings other than to express your regret that it happened.
How many times per day should we talk about it?
For the first few days at least twice a day followed by once a day for the following three weeks.
For how long after the incident should we keep talking about it?
Depending on the degree of fright and injury, until the parental waves of guilt are close to flat and/or the child shows easy emotion, not suppressed or keyed up emotion when it is discussed.
What if my child starts to cry?
Try saying something like, “Wow, I see it really hurts/frightens/upsets you. It is so good for you to let me see how you feel about the dog biting you.”
What if my child withdraws or becomes irritated and refuses to talk?
This is very likely a sign that it may be time for trauma counseling with a mental health expert. Say to the child, "Are you worried about how talking about it makes me feel? If you are, please understand that I am a grown-up and can handle such feelings of being sad because you were injured. This will help you to look at all the feelings that came from that dog attack.”
What if my child insists that he is fine and doesnt want to talk about it anymore?
Reply to the child, “That may be right". (This is true if the parent notes that it has been discussed a great deal with a noticeable decrease in affect/emotion). Then say “I want to think about it some more.” Later, if the child still seems reluctant to talk and bothered by the topic,” I notice that any mention of it finds your face changing as if it still hurts.” “How about drawing a picture of the dog attack scene, before, during and after?”
What kinds of questions or statements can I use to engage my child in a conversation?
In an intact family, observing parents conversing with each other about the accident and making gentle guesses about how the child thinks and feels about the attack. “I still think about the day when the dog hurt and scared you, do you?” “Sometimes I feel really mad about that dog biting you.” “I saw a dog barking at me when I was jogging today. I remembered what happened to you and was scared when the dog barked!”
With teenagers, whose skills in talking about a dog attack are probably closer to that of an adult you might say something like: “What do your friends say about the dog attack?”; “How many others at your school have been bitten by dogs?”; “ If you find you are dreaming about the attack or thinking about it a lot and you do not want to, consider this paradox, that talking about it with anyone will reduce such dreams and thoughts.”
What are the signs that my child needs professional help?
The big ones are decreased success at school, (both socially and academically), lack of pleasure from past enjoyments, and early resistance to speak about the attack. Watch for dog phobia, avoidance of other animals, or the appearance of other new fears and anxieties.
When in doubt seek a mental health consultation and if the parents have doubts about the recommendations/conclusions of that first consultant, seek a second opinion. Consider an analogous situation with a post-surgical issue. The surgeon says they think an abscess developed out of sight with minimal symptoms that if ignored will cause problems later. Of course, with an x-ray or digital exam it may be evident. A competent child mental health expert can be expected to probe in an interview and demonstrate an emotional abscess.
What should I look for in a mental health professional?
First, one who works with children; second, one with at least a five-year record in the field; third, a referral from a trusted mental health professional, and most of all, one with whom the parent feels comfortable. I prefer one who works with the child and parents together and spends less time with the child individually. In other words, family oriented therapy.
How do we know when to stop the therapy?
This obviously varies with the severity, both physical and emotional, of the injury. Assuming the child and family have a positive relationship with a competent therapist, the therapist should suggest when to stop. If the parents are concerned that it is going on too long they should suggest a hiatus of four to eight weeks, observe the child during that time and return for termination in the absence of symptoms. In the typical situation, success comes early, with promoting the child and family to discuss all aspects of the attack and its potential residuals. (2-6 sessions).
Kids in the age range of 12-16 can take a great deal of responsibility for the care and training of a puppy or a well-trained older dog.
Puppy Care and Training
They can feed, groom, train and clean up after the puppy. They can let the puppy in and out of the crate. Most children in this age range can handle the puppy independently in a group obedience class (while a parent observes) and can continue as the puppy grows older and stronger. Behaviour specialist Teresa Lewin suggests that a child is old enough to handle a dog independently when the dog respects and obeys the child, when the child can read the dog, predict an impending problem and can intervene appropriately. This will occur at different ages and depends on the maturity of the child, the relationship the child has developed with the dog and the temperament and level of training of the dog.
Walking the Dog Alone
Some kids age 12-16 will be safe walking the dog in the neighbourhood without adult supervision. This depends on the maturity of the child and a number of factors. According to Teresa Lewin of Doggone Safe, some basic criteria must be met:
·The dog knows how to walk on a loose leash and this behaviour is reliable
·The child can read the dog’s body language
·The child and dog have a mutually respectful relationship
·The dog will happily and willingly follow directions from the child
·The dog has never shown any sign of aggression toward people or other dogs
·The dog does not chase cars, cats, or other animals
·The child knows how to interpret situations and take appropriate action.
In addition, the size and strength of the dog relative to the child must be taken into consideration. The child should be strong enough to control the dog if the dog did decide to bolt or pull hard on the leash. Another consideration is the situation in the neighbourhood with respect to other dogs. If there are loose dogs, or dogs that act aggressively on the walk route, then the child should take a different route or not walk the dog without an adult.
Make it a Family Event
Better still, make walking the dog a daily family event. This has many benefits for the family as well as the dog.
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equate to that of a bear attack on an adult, in terms of the shock, overwhelming fear and residual stress. The emotional impact on the child and the adult is huge. The difference is the adult will talk about their experience until the day they can no longer speak. The child will not talk about it and greatly needs to. This is because the child sees the sad faces of his parents anytime the topic comes up. They remain silent to save their parents from additional grief
