dog bite prevention
What Dog Owners Can Do To Prevent Bites
Always supervise toddlers and young children around the family dog. Observe play between dogs and children and ensure the dog always has the option to disengage and take a break or rest. A dog who chooses to sleep or rest should never be forced into playing.
Socialize, Socialize, Socialize! Young puppies should attend puppy classes and receive lots of socialization. Fear is the biggest reason for biting, so if your dog is confident and relaxed around all situations, they will be less likely to bite. There are so many great places that you can take your pup to work on different types of socializing like Winners, HomeSense, Michaels, Kent as well as local pet stores. Even sitting in parking lots and doing lots of rewarding for calm watching is an excellent way to socialize your dog! Socialization can also be done with older dogs and rescues too. Socialization is not just exposure - the dog must enjoy it and treats, games and toys should be used when introducing your dog to a new situation. The very best treats should be fed in the presence higher stress situations.
Use positive training methods and train your dog basic commands. Dogs should be trained not to jump on people, walk on a loose leash and to be generally controlled. A good positive based obedience class can help you do this. Punishment based training and tools such as prong collars, choke collars and shock collars can cause stress in dogs and increase the chances of aggression.
Train your dog to be resistant to stress! Take time to counter condition your dog to enjoy strange movements, objects and stressful handling. While we can educate children about how to interact with a dog, they may not always listen! You can train your dog that annoying things such as tail pulls, face blowing and other things are something to be enjoyed and not feared!
Never punish your dog for growling or displaying aggression! While it seems to be a normal thing for people to get upset at dogs that growl or act aggressive, this will not solve the problem long term. Yelling, smacking or leash correcting a growling dog will not solve the problem but likely make it worse! If your dog growls at strangers or children, contact a qualified trainer immediately before something happens.
How to Avoid Bites from Dogs
Download THIS simple chart of how to greet a dog and what to avoid. Share this and discuss with anyone in your household, especially children!
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. For the Halifax Regional Municipality this number is 902-490-4000