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May 20 is the start of National Dog Bite Prevention Week. My pup, Nanners, he was going to be put to sleep because he did bite the nose of a 3 year old little girl. My husband and I decided to give Nanners a second chance. After we welcomed Nanners to our house, we noticed that there were many behavior factors that predestined Nanners to bite. His past owners did not educated him properly and therefore Nanners failed to be a “good dog.” Nanners was afraid of strangers, he was an unsocialized dog, he was an anxious dog and more than anything he was a dog that was not loved by his past family. When we took in Nanners he was 3 years old. It is sad to say that Nanners, an adult dog, did not know how to walk on a leash. Because of the irresponsibility of humans, many times it is the dogs that pay the price of neglect with their own life. So many dogs are marked as vicious just because of one bite. At the moment, Nanners is doing much better and he is a happy dog. Therefore, it is better to be safe than sorry and we should learn how to prevent to be bitten by a dog. There are so many resources available on the internet about this topic that can help you teach your kids, your family, your students, your coworkers etc. What may be obvious to some…it maybe a new thing for another.
If you have any dog behavior questions, please refer to Montreal Dog Blog’s amazing trainer, Meira, she will be more than happy to answer any of your questions!
The following information is provided by the Humane Society of the United States:
How to avoid a dog bite:
- Start by never approaching an unfamiliar dog, especially one who’s tied or confined behind a fence or in a car.
- Don’t pet a dog—even your own—without letting him see and sniff you first.
- Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog’s natural instinct will be to chase and catch you.
- Don’t disturb a dog while she’s sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy, or caring for puppies.
- Be cautious around strange dogs.
- Always assume that a dog who doesn’t know you may see you as an intruder or a threat.
What to do if you think a dog may attack:
If you are approached by a dog who may attack you, follow these steps:
- Resist the impulse to scream and run away.
- Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.
- Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight.
- If the dog does attack, “feed” him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog.
- If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.
What to do if you are bitten by a dog:
If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, try not to panic.
- Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water.
- Contact your physician for additional care and advice.
- Report the bite to your local animal care and control agency. Tell the animal control official everything you know about the dog, including his owner’s name and the address where he lives. If the dog is a stray, tell the animal control official what the dog looks like, where you saw him, whether you’ve seen him before, and in which direction he went.
Here is a poster that I found on Dr. Sophia Yin’s web page that illustrates the signs of a dog that may bite: Click: Dog Fear Posture poster
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrQ1KO4j2bc&feature=related[/youtube]
