This is a story about a little girl...a little girl who loved puppies.  It was a beautiful summer day when she slipped out of her mother's site for just a few minutes and went outside attempting to pet a new litter of puppies in a dog house.  Moments later her mother was rushing her to the hospital, where she died hours later.  The child was never taught basic safety around dog tips...such as never go near a dog with puppies. A couple months earlier, a little boy went into the kitchen to play with his dog...while the dog was eating...resulting in another tragedy.  Sadly, stories like this happen over and over again. Tragedies that could've been prevented if the children had been taught the basics of safety around dogs.

Approximately 1/2 of all children in the U.S. are bitten by a dog before they hit the teenage years.   In many cases, teasing or unintentionally provoking an aggressive reaction from a dog leads to a bite, or even worse, and attack.  The vast majority of dog bites are from a dog that the child is acquainted with - his or her own, a neighbor's, or a friend's pet dog.  79% of all fatal dog attacks are on children.*

The relationship a child has with a dog can be one of the most fulfilling experiences in their lifetime.  Dogs can be a friend, a confidant and a buffer against loneliness.  Children can learn about empathy, loyalty, forgiveness and the importance of responsibility from being around dogs.

-- THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT MOST BITES CAN BE PREVENTED!! --

EDUCATION is the key to reducing dog bites to children!

We teach children to look both ways before crossing the street, to never accept rides or candy from strangers, and a variety of other precautions to avoid potentially dangerous situations. So why aren't we teaching them how to be safe around dogs?!!

With this in the mind, For Pits’ Sake goes to local schools and childrens' groups to present our Safety Around Dogs program to teach children how to properly greet a dog, what to do when they see a loose dog, how to understand a dog's body language, and what to do in the event of an attack. For example, it is basic survival instinct that when you are afraid of something you run. However, that is the WORST thing you can do when being attacked by a dog! We teach children the steps they need to take in order to survive an attack.

Additionally, just as children need to be taught to be well-behaved around other people, they also need to be taught to be well-behaved and respectful around animals. They need to know how to touch a dog properly, how to interpret a dog's body language and to know when a dog is not to be disturbed.

The principles of positive interaction between dogs and children presented are important for teaching safety to all young children, whether or not they own dogs.

We at For Pits’ Sake have been working very hard to prevent dog bites in the community and it is our goal to get our Safety Around Dogs program into every kindergarten and elementary schools' curriculum, in an effort to keep our children safe.

In the meantime, help us at For Pits’ Sake prevent more children from being seriously injured or needlessly losing their lives by scheduling your Safety Around Dogs presentation today.

- Click HERE for basic dog bite prevention tips for children -

 

Join Deputy Dakota, Trooper Tahoe and Sgt Cheyenne, of the For Kids' Sake Safety Squadron, as they teach children how to be safe around dogs through the For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs program. Based on the latest child safety standards and research, our materials reflect the most recent strategies and information concerning children and dog safety.

The following topics are covered:

• Why do dogs bite?
• How do you know if a dog is friendly?
• How do you avoid a bite?
• What do you do if a dog attacks or bites you?

The principles of positive interaction between dogs and children presented are important for teaching safety to all young children, whether they live with dogs or not.

90% of Prevention is Knowledge!!

Contact us for available dates and costs to have a member of our staff present a For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs class for your class, group, or organization.

- Webinars and video conference classes also available -

The principles of positive interaction between dogs and children presented are important for teaching safety to all young children, whether or not they own dogs.

 

For Kids' Sake Project Materials

The following For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs materials are designed to help parents, teachers, and children's group leaders engage children in learning to be safe around our canine companions:

* Contact us for Bulk and School District Special Pricing *

• For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs Program Packet (includes class lesson plan and video)
• For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs Video (DVD or VHS)
• For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs Activity Booklet
• For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs Trading Cards (set of three)
• Doggone Crazy!™ Boardgame

Kid tested and expert approved, Doggone Crazy!™ is a family fun board game that teaches kids and adults how to read dog communication and be safe around dogs. Players race around the board collecting bones. They earn bones by demonstrating safe behaviors, answering questions and interpreting photographs showing pictures of dogs. This unique and colorful game is fast paced and absorbing even for the most fidgety of youngsters. It’s a snarling, tail wagging, howling, yip yapping, tree-mendous time!!!! Watch out for the doggy doo doo! For ages 4 and up. 4-6 players. One player with 3rd grade reading skills required. More info..

 

The For Kids' Sake Safety Around Dogs program is for anyone who has or deals with children:

• Parents whose families have dogs and even those who do not.
• Schools/Teachers who want to deliver a bite prevention program themselves.
• Children's Group Leaders; Cub Scouts Troops, Brownie Troops, Boy & Girls Clubs, 4-H Clubs, etc.
• Public Safety Officials; Animal Control Officers, Police Officers, Red Cross members, etc.
• Dog Obedience Trainers who want to educate clients about safety around dogs.
• Dog Industry Professionals; Veterinarians, Groomers, Breeders, Pet Stores, etc.

 

 

Adult & kids shirts, mugs, hats, tote bags, etc.

 

 

 

We need your help!!

Please help us prevent more children from being seriously injured or needlessly loosing their lives and/or help us provide medical relief to child dog bite victims by clicking on the donate button below to make your tax deductible donation to the For Kids' Sake Project.

For Pits' Sake , Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and as such donations are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. Donations to the For Kids' Sake Project are used ONLY to fund For Kids' Sake Project educational materials and the medical fund.

 

 

Some of the faces of children seriously injured or killed by dogs

Don't let your child be added to this group!

 

*Note-over 87% of dog bite fatalities involving children occurred when the child was left unsupervised with a dog(s) or the child wandered off to the location of the dog(s).  Even small breeds such as Dachshunds and Pomeranians have attacked children resulting in fatalities.

REGARDLESS OF THE BREED, NEVER, EVER, LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED WITH A DOG!!

 

Disclaimer: Dogs are animals and animal behavior is unpredictable. Therefore, For Kids' Sake does not guarantee that this video or the materials in this program will prevent children from being bitten or attacked by their dog or other dogs. Children should be supervised at all times around dogs, even the family pet.