Parenting and Pets: Teach Kids the Subtle Warning Signs of a Potential Dog Bite

Occasionally, there is the rare dog who gives no warning signs of a potential dog bite, but most exhibit certain behaviors in order to signal that they're feeling scared, annoyed, or unhappy, and about to bite. Despite the fact that canines follow a pack mentality--a hierarchy that's different from human behavior--it doesn't take long, nor is it difficult, to teach kids the subtle warning signs of a potential dog bite.

First and foremost, children should be taught to avoid getting close to a dog's face, (even their own pet) and staring at it. This can be interpreted by the animal as aggression. Kids love to hold a dog's face in their hands and look into its eyes, with their faces only inches apart. In one quick snap, the child can be headed to the hospital for stitches and the dog headed to the animal shelter for euthanasia.

In addition, in most parenting instances, Mom and Dad can easily teach their children not to pet strange animals, and to watch out for the traditional warning signs such as barred teeth, growling, snarling, ears pinned back, and aggressive tail wagging. But, good parenting also dictates that once the children understand those, Mom and Dad need to teach the more subtle warning signs that say, "Watch out, I'm a dog that's about to bite!"

Ears Sideways and Flattened
Ear position is one of the well-known signs of a potential dog bite. Don't make the mistake of thinking the only warning position is when the ears are pinned back, though. It's easy to explain to the children that when the animal's ears are sideways and flattened, it can also indicate a potential problem, and it's time to play with something other than the pooch.

Eyes Bulging
Smaller dogs often exhibit this behavior before a potential dog bite. Good parenting entails telling the kids to look for protruding eyes that have the whites showing. Remind them not to wait for a snarl before giving the pet some space, because it's possible a snarl or growl is not coming before that bite happens.

Lip Raised
Some dogs never give a growl or a snarl because they're too timid, sick, or afraid to do it. Instead, they will raise one lip slightly in what resembles a small sneer. I was once petting a mutt that didn't know me--he seemed friendly, and his tail wagging didn't seem overtly aggressive. However, I noticed a strange look on his face that I could only interpret as a small, Clint Eastwood-style sneer. In the microsecond that it took for me to question that sneer, the dog bit me on the hand. Good parenting includes teaching children that a raised lip means trouble, and it's time to leave the animal alone.

Submissive Smile
The submissive smile doesn't happen very often, but when it does, the dog exposes his teeth by pulling his lips back in what resembles an odd smile. This only happens in extreme cases of submission, where he feels cornered and has no other option. If the pooch continues to be pressed, there's liable to be a potential dog bite. It's very important to stress to children not to pet or try to comfort a canine that's giving a submissive smile. Instead, they should back off and give him space.

Teaching kids to heed the above warning signs may help prevent a serious dog bite to them. Even mild-mannered animals may bite under certain circumstances, and most pets don't enjoy being mauled, no matter how mellow their personalities. If good parenting has succeeded, the children can enjoy dogs all their lives, will be aware of the subtle warning signs of an potential dog bite, and will know how to react to prevent it.

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