Sunday, April 30, 2006

April 2006 Newsletter

DOG SAFETY FOR ADULTS

Earlier this year WSEG formed an alliance with Bark Busters, Inc., an Australian-based Home Dog Training program with over 170 plus franchisees in the United States at present, growing to approximately 300 by year’s end. Routine news reports have brought about both increased fear regarding dog attacks and a realization that most people simply are naïve about dog behavior and safety. Every year more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. An average of 12 people die each year due to mortal wounds. 61% of bites occur within a pet owner’s home and 43% of all children’s dog bites involve the family dog. Adult dog bites occur most often by the adult reacting the “wrong” way when a dog approaches or by misreading the dog’s intention (See KSEG.org for tips on dog safety for children).

Why Dogs Bite:

Contrary to common belief, most dogs would prefer NOT to bite humans. Dogs do not think or reason like humans and are guided by instinct and memory. Bites are typically done by instinct.

6 Most common reasons dogs bite:

1. Fear – Dogs react when surprised or scared by either running away or staying and fighting (instinctual “fight or flight” response.) A dog with either little or no contact with strangers or bad experiences is more likely to attack than a dog that has been loved and/or had good human experiences.

2. Territoriality – dogs claim their territory as their own and will vigilantly defend it against intruders and strangers.

3. Food Protection – Puppies learn early that in order to get their share of the food in a litter they need to push and fight. This behavior carries over into adulthood.

4. Self Protection – When threatened, dogs will instinctively do anything and tenaciously protection themselves.

5. Protection of mate/offspring/owners – Dogs are “pack” animals and see their owners and family members as part of their “pack”. A dog will attack anyone who they perceive as posing a threat to anything and anyone they hold dear and love.

6. Medical Problem – Distemper, brain tumors, rabies, injuries, medications, etc., can alter a dog’s personality, just like a human's personality can be affected.

How to avoid being bitten:

1. The Stand Right, No Bite Technique

    When approached by a strange dog:

    • Stand TOTALLY still – make no move whatsoever.

    • Do not crouch – keep your height.

    • Face the dog – do not allow it to get behind you. Fearful dogs will generally attack from behind.

    • Do not stare at the dog. Watch the dog out of the side of your eye. Dogs consider staring as a threat.

    • Do not pet the dog or extend your hand.

    • Do not make any threatening or provocative movements.

    • Allow the dog to sniff your leg.

    • When the dog relaxes, back away slowly. Do not turn and run – this is the time when most people are bitten.

    • Food can help. If you have some with you, toss it on ground away from you, using a gradual motion.


    The safest way to avoid attack if approached by a growling or barking dog is to stand totally still. Let the dog come to you to sniff. Dogs prefer to approach you on their terms. Dogs need to come within inches of your leg to obtain a satisfactory sniff, so be still during this entire time. When you stand still you are imitating the behavior of a dog that is neither submissive nor aggressive. Rather, it is a passive pose that indicates you are neither a pushover, nor a threat. It may take up to 30-60 seconds for the dog to get an adequate sniff. When it realizes you are not a threat, it will move away from you. At this time you should gradually back away from the dog, continuing to watch it from the side of your eye.

2. If you are attacked

    The vast majority of times a dog will not attack if you use the Stand Right, No Bite technique. If for some reason you are attacked:

    • If knocked to the ground, assume a fetal position. Cover your face and arms and remain completely still.

    • Do not attempt to hit the dog. The more you struggle, the more aggressive the dog will become.

    • If you have something with you, such as a clipboard, briefcase (or whatever),
      offer it to the dog keeping it well away from your body. If the dog is truly
      aggressive, it will grab the object and hold on. Do not let go of the object.
      Normally the dog will soon stop the attack when it realizes it is having no effect.

    • Always carry a loud whistle. If attacked and the dog does not respond to the Stand Right, No Bite technique, blow your whistle to call for help.

Other Tips

Approaching a dog – Approach all strange dogs with care. Never assume a dog will not bite. Always wait for it to accept you first. Allow it to sniff you until it loses interest and wanders off. Then, and only then, should you move. If in doubt, do not approach the dog at all.

Approaching a vicious dog – If you know a dog has a history of being aggressive, avoid confrontation. However, if you have no choice, then take some food with you. Toss the food on the ground a distance from you, and adopt the Stand Right, No Bite technique.

When running or jogging – If you see an unleashed dog, immediately stop running and adopt the Stand Right, No Bite technique. If you run frequently, it might be best to always carry a small amount of food with you in case you need to toss it on the ground to distract the dog.

Coping with more than one dog – Stand Right, No Bite still applies. Stand still – do not move a muscle. If you are able, stand with your back to a wall or car to prevent one of the dogs from getting behind you. If you have food, toss it on the ground, continuing to toss further and further away from you until you can escape safely.

Staring: A provocative act – As a reminder, remember to avoid direct eye contact with the dog. This is VERY important. In the wolf and dog world, staring amounts to a challenge. Watch the dog, but use your peripheral vision by watching from the corner of your eye.

Avoid cornered dogs – When a fear-aggressive dog is cornered it is much more likely to attack than at any other time. It feels threatened, and because it is unable to escape it may believe it has no option but to fight. Avoid dogs that are:

  • On a chain

  • In an enclosure

  • Backed into a corner or up against a wall

  • In it's kennel

  • In a car

  • In a room

  • In a small yard

Conclusion


Most dog attacks result from people misreading a dog’s intention, or from reacting the wrong way when a dog approaches. Using the techniques described here will significantly reduce the possibility of a dog attack, or reduce the chance of injury if attacked.

Be sure to visit BarkBusters.com and learn more about Aussie “state of the art” dog training for your dog(s), and here for new Pet CD/ID for your dog (or other pet).


Written by Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E.

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.