🧒🐶 “Bite Prevention” Interventions

Dog bite incidents unfortunately occur in large numbers every year. Some end tragically, with serious injuries to children or adults, but also with equally dramatic consequences for the dogs themselves: abandonment or euthanasia. Yet the vast majority of these situations could be prevented through a better understanding of dogs and the signals they use to communicate.

The trauma caused by a canine-related accident can have lifelong effects: children, teachers, emergency responders, postal workers, delivery drivers… many people may be affected. Such experiences can become a real emotional or professional barrier if they are not properly understood and prevented.

🎓 Interventions tailored to each audience

I offer “Bite Prevention” interventions in schools and in professional settings, fully tailored to age, context, and specific needs. Each session is designed with respect for participants’ experience and level of knowledge, ensuring progressive, respectful, and supportive learning.

Key topics covered include:

• Basic rules to follow when encountering a dog.
• How to approach an unfamiliar dog safely.
• Learning to interpret postures and canine signals (friendliness, fear, warning signs).
• Recognizing a dog’s intentions and anticipating its reactions.
• Understanding the different roles dogs can have (companion, educational, working, service, rescue, etc.).

🐾 Gentle learning with “Mascotte”

To introduce younger children or anxious participants, I work with Mascotte, a life-sized plush dog. This is an ideal educational tool for a first contact in a calm and safe environment. Explanations and demonstrations can take place without fear, in a relaxed and playful atmosphere.

When appropriate and agreed upon by everyone involved, a meeting with a real dog can then be organized, in a secure and supervised setting, to put the concepts learned into practice.

“Many incidents could be avoided through a better understanding of canine communication.”