Why All Dogs Can Bite and How to Reduce the Risk with R.E.A.D. #25

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We all have an important role to play in reducing the number of dog bites, in particular dog bites to children. Recent statistics on dog bites show that 77% of biting is by the family dog or a friend’s dog. It’s up to us to protect children, anyone who comes into contact with our dog, and our dog. I’ve got actionable strategies for you, and it all starts with how to R.E.A.D. a dog.

In the episode you'll hear:

• What recent studies on dog bites tell us.
• How to use the acronym R.E.A.D. for everyone’s safety, including your dog’s.
• Why we can’t just assume our dog will get along with children.
• How our dogs respond to our stress.
• Why a dog’s emotional state increases the risk of a bite.
• The actions you can take to be an advocate for your dog.
• Things you can’t know about a dog and why proactivity is vital.
• What it looks like to have a safe interaction with a dog.
• What you can teach children for their safety around dogs.
• Why to believe what your dog is telling you.
• What to do if your dog growls at a child.

Resources:

• Podcast Episode 3: How Hollywood Made Life Tough For Dogs - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/3/
• Paper: Dog Bites in Children Surge during Coronavirus Disease-2019: A Case for Enhanced Prevention - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7316443/
• Paper: Interspecies transmission of emotional information via chemosignals: from humans to dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320265642_Interspecies_transmission_of_emotional_information_via_chemosignals_from_humans_to_dogs_Canis_lupus_familiaris
• Podcast Episode 4: T.E.M.P. (Tail, Eyes/Ears, Mouth, Posture) - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/4/
• Podcast Episode 22: The Invisible Bubble of Pressure and Your Dog - https://dogsthat.com/podcast/22/
• Dog Decoder App - https://www.dogdecoder.com/