We all get upset on hearing tragic stories involving dog bites (often with children). The truth is that however well trained, dogs are still wild animals, so it helps to know how to approach strange dogs, and know that nearly all serious bite incidents involve dogs that (often living outside) have never been properly socialised. Long term, the best preventive method is to give your dog a happy life with plenty of exercise and positive training, so it’s unlikely he or she will attack.
Lili Chin is a wonderfully talented artist, whose books Doggie Language and What’s Up Pup? are used by vets, animal rescue shelters and dog welfare associations. She basically communicates with experts then distills their wisdom into fun books for everyone to read. The illustrations cover dog behaviours so you know what dogs are saying if they are happy, scared or not happy. Knowing how dogs ‘talk’ is key to understanding their emotions, to help provide enriching lives and prevent dog bites.
Many dog bites are on posties, due to ‘attacking their territory’. Keep your dog in a closed room while posties visit (never open the door with dogs behind you) and use a letterbox guard (to stop snapping at fingers) or buy a lockable outside box to deliver letters and parcels. If you feel your dog has been unfairly accused, there are dog lawyers that specialise in these of cases.
If you witness a dog fight, experts say the best thing to do is for each person to grab the hind legs of each dog and then wheel them away from each other in a large circle (a bit like using a wheelbarrow but backwards) so they can’t bite each other. Keep them separate to calm down, and then seek vet attention, if needed.
Misunderstanding Dog Body Language
Can you tell when a dog is uneasy? Many can’t. Dogs communicate a lot through their body. A wagging tail doesn’t always mean they’re happy. Watch for signs of stress like licking lips, yawning, or stiff movements. These can indicate discomfort or aggression, and ignoring these signs can lead to trouble.
Neglecting Proper Socialisation
Imagine a pup growing up without meeting new humans or dogs. It’s likely to feel threatened in unfamiliar situations. Early socialisation is crucial. Exposing puppies to different environments, people, and other animals helps them stay calm and confident as they grow older, reducing aggressive tendencies.
Approaching Dogs Safely
Staring a dog in the eyes can make them uneasy, much like how you’d feel if a stranger stared at you. It might be perceived as a challenge, potentially provoking a defensive response. Keep your gaze relaxed and soft to avoid sending the wrong signal.
Before you rush to pet a dog, ask the owner first. Some dogs are wary of strangers and need space. Getting permission not only respects the owner’s space but also ensures you’re not putting yourself at risk of a bite.
Deed, Not Breed
Blue Cross is does not agree with breed-specific legislation, which bans certain breeds on looks and measurements, rather than behaviour and temperament).
The Canine Commandments is a children’s book, aiming to help prevent dog bites. Written by a dog behaviourist, it includes the ‘ladder of aggression’ to understand dog signs, and is a good book for classroom teaching.
Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors can direct you to highly trained experts who are referred by vets. In some cases, they can transform behaviour of aggressive dogs, simply by a couple of home visits and follow-up calls. There is also a lot of free information on the website.
Time to Give Staffies some Good Press!
Apart from Robbie Williams, the most famous resident of Staffordshire is the bull terrier. Sadly now maligned in the media, a good portion of shelter dogs are now staffies. 100 years ago staffies were known as ‘nanny dogs’ as they were protective of children.
Nearly all cases today of dog attacks are due to poor welfare, lack of training and not knowing how to approach strange dogs (kneel diagonally avoiding eye contact, and let them come to you). Heading straight-on to any dog (especially letting children scream) is not the way to go.
Positive Training for Aggressive & Reactive Dogs features instructions and illustrations to help eliminate aggression, barking, timidity, fear and reactivity. It includes case studies and interviews with top trainers, vets and behaviourists. The author is a highly qualified dog trainer and behaviourist in the US, who specialises in training troubled dogs (especially ones that are reactive/aggressive to people or other dogs).
