Did you know that 50% of all dog bite victims in 2012 were 8 years old or younger? Did you also know that 79% of all children killed by dogs in 2012 were 2 years old or younger?
To help prevent dog bites, children can learn to “be a tree.” Dogs are often stimulated by sound and movement, so teaching children to be still and calm, like a tree, may help both children and dogs stay calm in a new or stressful situation.
According to
be-a-tree.com, “Most dogs do not intend to scare or bite people, but they do like to investigate new people. Most dogs will chase a person who runs and will get more and more excited the more the person runs. Shouting or screaming is also exciting to dogs and can frighten some dogs. Being still and quiet is the best way to show a dog that you mean no harm and that you are not going to play with him or threaten him.”
How to "Be a Tree":
- Stop.
- Fold in your branches (hands folded in front).
- Watch your roots grow (look at your feet).
- Count in your head to the highest number you can and then start back at one until help comes or the dog goes away.
"Trees" are boring to dogs. A dog will just sniff at a child/tree and then go away. No matter what the dog does, it is important for the child to stand still, avoid eye contact (by looking down at his/her feet), and stay quiet.
Be a tree in any of these situations:
- A strange dog comes near you (even if he seems friendly).
- Any dog is making you feel uncomfortable, worried or scared.
- A dog is chasing you.
- Your own or a friend's dog is acting too frisky or excited.
More safety tips from the CDC:
To help prevent children from being bitten by dogs, teach the following basic safety tips and review them regularly:
- Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
- Do not run from a dog or scream.
- Remain motionless (e.g., "be still like a tree") when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
- If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., "be still like a log").
- Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
- Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
- Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
- Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
- Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
- If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.
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