As we are coming to the end of winter most people start to bring their dogs out for a walk more than during the winter season so I thought this might be a good time to talk about keeping your children safe from being injured by our furry little, and sometimes large, friends. Shocking injuries of young children have been caused by some vicious dog attacks. And because the media has publicized all vicious attacks in the last few years it has increased the public's fear of dogs.   Health Canada Statistics reported in 1993, 86% of dog bite victims were between 0-15yrs of age. A 1996 study[1] by the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) focused primarily on children. Out of 385 patients, almost 2/3 (64.7%) were under 10. In March 1999, the Dutch Consumer Safety Institute reported on a survey[2] of 164 dog-bite victims. The Netherlands has a dog population of 1.2 million. Out of the 15.6 million populations, one in 13 people own a dog. Emergency departments treat about 12,000 dog bite victims every year and hospitals admit 220. About 40 per cent of the victims are under 10 years old. In 2007, there were over 31 fatal dog maulings in North America.[3] Well, over half of these incidents claimed there was no provocation by the victim. Most injuries were to the head or arms. Too often it was the family pet or a familiar dog that attacked the child. Parents will often teach children to use extreme caution concerning a large strange dog, yet fail to see the danger within their own home or that of friends and family. Statistics proved Rottweilers are tied with Cocker Spaniels for biting children. We need to accept the fact that all breeds can be potentially dangerous. It is understandable if you fear a German Shepherd, the number 1 biter in Canada. But did you realize that the all-time favourite family dog, the Golden Retriever, is also within the top 10 biters. We need to look beyond pretty faces, and see each dog as the individual. In order to make the process of teaching your children dog bite safety I have put together a tope ten dog safety tips list. Read each one with your child, get them to learn the rhyme and teach them why. 10 Dog Safety Tips 1. Check it's sweet - before you meet! - Before going up to a dog ask permission from its owner. Lots of dogs are friendly, but some aren’t. Owners can tell you if it is safe to pet their dog. But still be careful. 2. To understand - they sniff your hand! - When meeting a dog let it sniff the back of your hand. Dogs have a sense of smell that is 50 times stronger than ours. Dogs use their sense of smell to get to know strangers. Using the back of your hand keeps your fingers out of the way. 3. Chin or chest - that's the best! - After permission is given, stroke only the dog’s chin, chest or shoulders and remember to be gentle. Dogs don’t really like being patted on their heads by strangers. They might think you are trying to be the boss of them. 4. To meet a pup - ask a grown-up! - Ask an adult before cuddling a puppy. Mother dogs are naturally protective. But even if a puppy’s mother isn’t there, puppies are still dogs and they can bite, jump and scratch like older ones – so be careful. And remember, puppies have really sharp baby teeth! 5. If a dog has a snack - keep way back! - Stay away from a dog that is eating or has a bone. When they are eating, dogs might think you want to take some of their food if you try to pat them. They will try to protect it. 6. Keep your face - out of their space! - Never kiss or put your face down close to a dog’s face. It’s just common sense for children to keep their faces away from a dog’s teeth. 7. Don't run and shout - it freaks us out! - Do not run around or shout near a dog. Dogs react to the way we behave. Most dogs are afraid of loud noises so, if you shout or run a dog might chase or attack you. 8. A dog's not a toy - don't tease and annoy! - Never tease or annoy a dog. Dogs can tell us to stop only by growling or biting. 9. Quiet and slow - is the way to go! - If you are scared of a dog, move quietly and slowly away from it. Don’t run. It is better to walk away quietly and slowly. Don’t stare at the dog as you move away. If you stare, a dog might think you want to fight.  10. If a dog makes you fall – curl into a ball. A dog may jump up and push you in play or not. If you are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears. Lie still and keep quiet until the dog goes away.   Finally, it is possible to guess at how a dog feels and how he might act by studying his body language, or postures. There is a great board game, Doggone Crazy! ™, that is intended to introduce the tools children and parents/guardians can use to help reduce the risk of occurrence of a dog bite. The game includes a series of cards with pictures of dogs showing various postures and the players must guess how the dog is feeling and judge whether it is likely to be safe or dangerous to approach this dog. For example, erect ears may mean that the dog is happy, excited, confident, aggressive or interested. Some dogs have naturally erect ears and so other features, such as wrinkled forehead, leaning forward stance and slow wag with tail held flat, or tail held high over the back would indicate arousal in the dog. Any form of aroused dog, whether excited, interested, angry or aggressive can bite, paw or jump and thus be dangerous to a child. This game has great reviews and will teach and re-enforce Dog bite prevention. Children and families learn about dog communication, dog behavior, dog safety for children and how to prevent a dog bite. I would recommend it, and the makers are Canadian! Stay safe, Chris Doyle PS Send me an email if you want a free copy of a 7-page guide, the “Doggone Crazy! Parent Guide” that has a two-page table of the various dog parts and their meanings (i.e. Body Part, Posture, Possible Meaning, Safe or Dangerous). Included in the guide is information on interaction “do’s and don’ts” as well as safe and dangerous games to play with dogs. Or visit the Doggone Crazy website (http://www.doggonecrazy.ca ) to order a copy of the game for the family. Article Sources . 1. CHIRPP NEWS (Issue 11, July 1997), Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, Health Canada 2 . CISE (March 1999), Dutch Consumer Safety Institute 3. http://www.dogbitelaw.com/PAGES/statistics.html Academy of Martial Arts, Port Credit www.dojoworld.ca  Mr. Doyle is a 30 year veteran of the martial arts. He has been teaching and educating men, women and children of Mississauga since 1986.  He is married and he and his wife, Lesa (also a black belt) , and have two children, Charles (12) and Alexsandra (8).

 

LE LECHE LEAGUE CANADA - (Mississauga Group) Mother to Mother breastfeeding support every 2nd Saturday of the month. For more details call (416) 483-3368.

MOMS TIME OUT - Clarkson & Meadowvale - A chance to get out of the house and meet other moms in the area. Childcare available. Email: Momstime@sympatico.ca

MOCHA MOMS - Port Credit - Need a break. Moms group meets every Wednesday.  Babysitting available. Email for more details h.m.r@sympatico.ca

ROUNDABOUT FAMILY CENTRE  - Parenting & Baby Groups - Monday mornings 10:00am—11:30am (Free) Parent & Baby Music— Tuesdays mornings 10:00 am—11:00am (Free) Love Me, Feed Me, Carry Me - A breastfeeding & baby wearing group - meets Friday mornings 12:00pm—2:00pm (Free) Breastfeeding Mother’s Group - Friday afternoons 12pm—2pm (Free) Now offering Prenatal Yoga, Mom & Baby Yoga, Baby Massage & more! Call (905) 274-9561 for more details.

ADJUSTMENTS AFTER BIRTH PROGRAM a service offered by the Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centres and supported by Peel Health can provide you with support and services to help you find your way. Peer support group to help you difficult times. Postpartum depression affects 1 in 5 women. You're not alone! Mississauga West location is held at Meadowvale Town Centre in the Ontario Early Years Centre. They meet weekly on Wed from 1 - 3pm. Group facilitators and babysitting available. Call (905) 567-4156 for more details. Mississauga South location is held in the Ontario Early Years Centre at Turtle Creek Plaza, Clarkson. 1801 Lakeshore Rd W. They meet weekly on Thurs. from 1 - 3pm. Group facilitators and babysitting available. Call (905) 822-1114 for more details.

DROP IN -  STREETSVILLE - Ontario Early Years Centre -  Adults with children from birth to 6 years of age are welcome to join us during our regular drop in hours. Mon   9:00 am - 12:00 pm &  2:30  pm -  4:00 pm Tues   9:00 am - 12:00 pm &  2:30  pm -  4:00 pm Wed   9:00 am - 10:00 am &   2:30  pm - 4:00  pm Thurs 9:00 am - 12:00 pm &  1:00  pm -  4:00 pm Fri      9:00 am - 10:00 am  For more info on our program schedule call (905) 826-5411

The Mississauga Parent Child Resource Centre operates the Ontario Early Years Centres in the south at Turtle Creek Plaza in Clarkson, Byngmount School, Port Credit High school and Sheridan Villa Nursing Home. We offer drop in as well as many programs for parents/caregivers and children 0-6 years. Visit our website www.mpcrc.ca or call us at 905-891-7621 for more information about our programs. The drop in and all our programs are FREE. One very important program we would like to highlight is our support group for women having difficulties with postpartum adjustment. Share your feelings and experiences in a safe and supportive environment and learn strategies to help you cope during this challenging time of adjustment. If you are experiencing any of the following : restlessness, sadness, loss of interest, extreme irritability or anger, crying for no apparent reason, overwhelmed, join us Thursday 1-3 pm. No registration required. Just drop in. You are not alone.

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