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For safety's sake, train your dogs and your kids

Denise Flaim | Animal House

February 20, 2008

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As difficult as it is to read about what happened to 8-year-old Danielle Bernstein - a bite by a Lab mix named Scooter in 2003 left her needing 40 stitches in her face - the story is instructive for those of us who are both parents and dog lovers.

First, be thankful Scooter was not a pit bull or rottweiler. Inevitably, stories would have focused on his breed, when the reality is all dogs bite.

In this age of Paris Hilton carrying her Chihuahua around like a Fendi clutch, we forget that dogs are not accessories. They are reformed predators whose instincts sometimes converge in a behavioral "Perfect Storm." Fortunately, this is the rare exception, not the rule: Americans report 800,000 dog bites each year, and the nation has an estimated 78.4 million dogs. Figuring one bite per dog, that's about 1 percent "problem" dogs.

Because our suburban dogs live increasingly isolated lives, early and frequent socialization - including puppy kindergarten before the age of 16 weeks - is key. Dogs need to be introduced to human conventions and expectations.

Denise Flaim Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

Finally, for their own safety, teach children how to approach strange dogs - which is to say, they should not. Even if permission has been extended, and the dog has been described as friendly, always extend an open hand, palm up, and allow the dog to sniff. Children should never lean over, hug or go "face to face" with a strange dog - or, for that matter, one they live with.

Humans and dogs are the ultimate symbiotic relationship, one that has endured for millennia. When it goes awry, we take note, as we should. But that should not overshadow the larger truth, which is the vast majority of times it goes very, very right.