During the pandemic, self-isolation is a daily challenge. Even people we love and co-exist with peacefully can become annoying with too much togetherness, right? So it is for our pets. We must be mindful of their moods and need to decompress.
My column today is about safety around dogs.
Well-socialized and happy dogs can add so much to our lives and to our families. Dogs give us companionship, provide fun and physical exercise, and help us to teach our children about caring for others and about responsibility. Most dogs are the happy family pets that we enjoy being with.
There are situations, however, that can frighten or anger even the nicest of dogs, and their natural defense is to bite. There are also dogs who, due to the circumstances of their lives, may not behave like the typical family dog.
You, your family and your community can take simple steps to reduce the number of dog bites that occur. Here are some ways to keep the families and family pets in your community safe.
Safety around dogs
Always ask permission before petting or touching someone else’s dog. Most of the time, we encounter friendly, wiggly dogs in public. But you should be cautious if a dog goes still, becomes stiff, and/or is not wagging its tail in a loose and friendly way.
Don’t corner a dog. All dogs have a sense of personal space, so watch their body language as you get closer (or the dog gets closer to you).
When approached by a strange dog, stand quietly, hands at your sides and avoid eye contact. A dog’s natural instinct is to chase, so if you run, a dog may chase.
Do not approach dogs in cars or on chains or ropes. Dogs can be protective about their territory and may feel a bit more vulnerable and/or defensive than usual.
To avoid startling dogs, don’t approach or touch them while they’re sleeping, fixated on something, or with their puppies.
Never get between dogs who are fighting and keep your hands away from their heads. Years ago when my two Cairn Terriers got into a heated battle, I reached in-between them and received a very bad bite on my forearm. I did exactly what you should not do and suffered the consequences. After this, I kept a tennis racket handy, just in case it became necessary to separate them, which fortunately it did not.
Leave dogs alone when they are eating, whether the dog is eating from a bowl or chewing a treat or any other high-value item. Like people, dogs don’t like it when people get between them and their food.
Don’t reach over or through fences or barriers to pet or touch a dog.
Never tease, chase or harass a dog.
Don’t enter a property containing a dog if you’re not accompanied by the dog’s person. Dogs can be protective of their family and territory and think it’s their job to protect them.
The dog-safe family
Children should always be supervised around dogs, even the family dog. Supervising children around dogs not only protects the children from accidents but also protects the dog from harm by children who don’t always know that touching animals in a certain way can hurt them.
Don’t leave babies unattended around dogs. Dogs may not realize that babies aren’t as strong as adults or even know what a baby is. If you’re expecting a baby, start early to get your dog used to the changes a baby will make in your dog’s and your lives.
Don’t attempt or allow your children to attempt to remove anything (toys, food or other objects) from your dog’s mouth. Instead, find something of equal or greater value to offer your dog as a trade.
Teach your children about dog safety and appropriate touching early, and promote dog-safe practices.
If you are considering bringing a new dog into your family, write down what your family is like and then consult your local shelter staff or do research on the Internet to learn about what kind of dog would be most suitable for you and your family.
Good dog habits
Socialize your dog and make him a part of your family activities early on. Dogs also need to be socialized beyond your family and home; they need to be comfortable out in the world.
Read up on positive reinforcement training techniques and get your whole family involved. Inconsistent training is very confusing to the dog and family members equally.
Take your dog to a certified trainer who can help you teach your dog appropriate behaviors in a humane, effective, and ethical way.
Make a game for the whole family of spotting and reinforcing desirable behavior in your dog.
Don’t allow children to play rough with your dog, as they can accidentally hurt the dog or encourage him to become mouthy.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t play games like tug, though; teaching your dog to play games using healthy rules will help the dog to learn self-control.
Hitting your dog or using other forms of physical punishment will result in the dog being fearful, resentful, or aggressive.
Provide lots of exercise for your dog through constructive play like fetch and/or frequent walks. Walks or hikes provide great exercise for you and your canine companion. Regular activity not only gets rid of excess energy but reduces frustration levels in your pet. Interactive play also increases the bond between you and your pet.
Spay or neuter your dog. Over a six-year period, 92 percent of all fatal attacks by dogs were by intact (unneutered) dogs.
Spay/neuter also reduces the likelihood of costly medical conditions and reduces the number of unwanted pets who end up in shelters.
Make sure that your dog has lots of human interaction every day. As social animals, dogs thrive on social interaction and love to be a part of the family.
Avoid tethering (chaining or tying a rope to) your dog. Tethering removes a dog’s ability to flee and makes him/her feel vulnerable. If he/she can’t escape a perceived threat, the only option is to attack. According to a study by the CDC, tethered dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite.
Never let your dog roam free. Letting your dog roam free greatly increases his/her chance of injury or death from cars or attacks by people or other animals. A roaming dog may become confused or frightened, leading to aggressive behavior.
Use caution when introducing your dog to new people, new dogs or new situations. Your goal is to provide the dog with a succession of happy experiences so his/her social skills will continually improve. You must always ask permission of the other dog handler before a controlled introduction is made. In Smudge’s case, he has no desire to meet another dog (except female Pomeranians, his dream women!). So I will politely say ‘no.’
If your dog’s behavior changes (e.g., he becomes irritable/unpredictable), take him to your vet for a checkup. Behavior changes can sometimes be a symptom of a medical problem.
Dog bless.
Resource: bestfriends.org
Judy Endo is the author of Paws-itive Pet Tales. A lifelong resident of the Wilkes-Barre area, she has been a professional dog trainer/competitor as well as a lifetime animal lover and strong supporter of animal rescue. Contact: judyendo@outlook.com
