Doctors warn Fearful dogs can be a danger to children

Children should be distanced from anxious dogs
Most children love pets and are not afraid to get close to them. In angry dogs, they usually stay at a distance. But other moods can make the animals a danger to children, for example when they are anxious.

Do not leave small children alone with dogs
Kids love to play with pets. This has positive effects even for the health. Thus, scientists have found that dealing with dogs can reduce the risk of asthma. Experts caution, however, again and again that you should never leave child and dog alone, because the animals could be dangerous because of the "pack-Hierachie" for the little ones. British scientists now report that anxious dogs can be a danger to children.

Children usually know that they should not approach angry dogs. But anxious dogs can be a danger for them, warn researchers. (Image: Kristina Stasiuliene / fotolia.com)

Anxious dogs can be dangerous
Earlier this year, a study was published showing that dogs can sense human emotions. Conversely, people also usually notice how the animal is doing and know how to behave then. As a rule, little children, for example, do not approach an angry dog, as this could pose a danger to them. In an anxious dog they usually have no inhibition to make contact. But even these four-legged friends can be dangerous for the little ones, warn English researchers.

Children should recognize moods of four-legged friends
As reported by the Association of Paediatricians (BVKJ) on its website "kinderaerzte-im-netz.de", the British scientists had children between the ages of four and five (57 children) and between six and seven years (61 children ) Showed pictures and short videos with dogs, where they should recognize the moods of the dogs and say if they would be willing to play with this dog.

Distance should be maintained in anxious dogs
According to the information, most children were able to see well whether a dog was happy, angry or anxious, but they did not seem to understand that they should be more distant from anxious dogs. Accordingly, they lack knowledge of what behavior is safe against dogs.

The children "were only taught to be careful when approaching angry dogs," co-author Sarah Rose of Staffordshire University said in a post on "Health Day." The university reported in a separate communication on the results of the study. They were also introduced at the British Society's Development Psychology Conference. (Ad)