RISK FACTORS IN THE MUTUAL RELATIONSH IP BETWEEN CHILDREN AND DOGS

Marie Chlopčíková, Adéla Mojžíšová
University of South Bohemia, College of Health and Social Studies, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

Korespondenční autor: Marie Chlopčíková (marie.chlopcikova@seznam.cz)

ISSN 1804-7181 (On-line)

Full verze:

Submitted:30. 6. 2009
Accepted: 7. 2. 2010
Published online: 11. 6. 2010

Summary

In 2008, a pilot study trying to find the potential causes of conflicts in the children × dog relationship was realized. This pilot study was triggered by the increasing amount of cases of dog attacks in society, especially dog attacks on the youngest generation (children). The collection of data which monitored awareness about a responsible approach and safe contact with dogs among primary school children (aged 8–12) was conducted from November 2007 to March 2008. The main aim of the research was to map children’s know­ledge of dog’s communication signals, the perception of a child’s own authority in the relationship with a dog and the frequency of individual risk activities in their mutual contact. The research study has revealed alarming deficiencies, especially in the knowledge of communication signals and canine body language. The awareness of signs of the two most hazardous communication signals (threat and attack) was very poor.

Keywords: child; communication signals; awareness; risk factors; prevention

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