WHAT IS DOG SAFETY?

People adopt dogs for various reasons. Usually, it’s because they want the devoted companionship and unconditional love that dogs provide. There is a reason why they’re called man’s best friend. Dogs give you someone to talk to, play with, or get an exercise buddy. More than anything, your furry friends will always love and accept you, even if it seems like no one else does.  

Most dog lovers would agree that dogs make life better because spending time with them does wonders for their well-being. Multiple research works show that owning a dog can have positive effects on us physically and emotionally. The powerful calming presence and social bonds brought by dog ownership have been associated with fewer symptoms and lower rates of depression. It has also been related to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in single-person households and lower mortality in the general population. 

However, dog ownership is as much of a responsibility as it is a privilege. Dogs aren’t just a fashion statement, accessory, or something you’ll get on a whim. They require so much more than just food and walks. As their owner, you also need to ensure their safety and avoid causing dangerous situations.  

Certain situations can frighten even the nicest and most friendly dogs, and their first instinct is to bite. Without a person to acknowledge their stress triggers and teach them proper behaviour, a whole range of behavioural issues can arise including, territorial aggression, fears, other forms of aggression, and destructiveness, to name just a few. 

Dog safety ensures that you, your family, and your community are safe around your dog and others’ dogs through educating oneself of the consequences of neglecting dangerous circumstances around dogs regardless of the animal’s disposition towards humans and dogs alike.   

Who Benefits from Dog Safety  

When a dog-related incident occurs, it doesn’t just affect one individual. Many can get hurt or traumatised just because of our ignorance when it comes to safety around dogs. As we practice dog safety, we can protect those commonly at risk of these dangerous situations.  

• Pet Owner: Pet owners tend to deny the severity of their dog’s aggressive behaviour, which can endanger their safety and family and get them in legal trouble. Dog safety clears the misunderstanding between harmless and playful behaviour and aggressive and life-threatening actions, allowing pet owners to handle their dogs better.  
• Children: Young children are most at risk of dog attacks as they fail to recognise the signs dogs display when put in a stressful situation. Awareness of dog safety ensures that children are equipped with information and guidelines to keep them safe around dogs. 
• Community:  If a dog is not accustomed to strangers, the community can also be at high risk of compromising its safety. Bringing a dog in public can already put them on guard, but it could escalate further if an individual comes near them or their owner. Dog safety can bring awareness and encourage action towards a safer community.  
• Dogs: Not only can dogs harm people, other dogs and humans can also hurt them. Dog safety encourages responsible care for these animals to create safer and more stable homes to grow and develop into fun companions with good manners and appropriate behaviour.  

UK Law on Dog Safety 

Out of all behavioural problems in dogs, canine aggression has become the most notable for its frequency and consequences on the dogs and people around them. As such, legislations were passed to provide suitable and effective preventive measures. 

 Under section 3 of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control is a criminal offence. This could be anything from someone feeling at risk of being injured to actually being physically harmed by your dog. It even includes incidents that occur on private property, even the homes of the dog owners, to protect people like postal workers and home health care providers.  

Dogs that are proven to be dangerously out of control could have the owner or person in charge of the dog charged with a fine, compensation, and costs. Unfortunately, the dog can be even be seized by the authorities and humanely destroyed.  

Another section of the act also focuses on prohibiting the ownership of certain types of dogs believed to be responsible for the most serious attacks on people.   

• Dogo Argentino 
• Fila Braziliero 
• Japanese Tosa 
• Pit Bull Terrier 

This section became a subject of many criticisms for being a simplistic answer to a more complex social problem. It is also said to be discriminatory against responsible owners and their dogs as generalising aggressive behaviour to a breed can lead to innocent dogs and pet owners suffering.  

Despite these laws, dog attacks remain common to this day. In fact, according to NHS figures, there is an an increase of hospital admissions for dog-related injuries between 2015 and 2018. By far, children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to sustain severe injuries from these incidents.   

Importance of Dog Safety  

Most dog-related incidents can be an extremely traumatic experience for a person, no matter their age. While we can attempt to prevent these dangers with laws and breed bans, the continuous increase of dog attacks and accidents shows that much more goes into dog safety.   

Dog attacks can happen at any time or anywhere, even if your household doesn’t have a dog. There might come a time when you’ll encounter a dog, whether somebody else’s pet or a random meeting on the street with a stray dog. When you possess the right information, it can help you avoid any potential dangers in these situations. It can also help individuals become prepared in case they cannot prevent the threat. 

Basic Dog Safety 

Dog safety encourages awareness and action to help everyone around the world achieve complete safety around dogs. There are many ways to ensure safety around dogs, but having even the most basic knowledge can go a long way in avoiding ending up in dangerous situations in the first place. 

• Get to Know Your Dog: There are things that many dogs enjoy and humans love doing that your dog might hate. For instance, many dogs enjoy hugging, but some might feel trapped when you wrap your arms around them. Hence, it’s important to stop the bad habits you might be doing that can wreck your relationship with your dog and might trigger or irritate them. 

• Recognise The Signs That Indicate Stress: Understanding dog body language is a key way to help avoid being bitten. Find signs like growling, pinned ears, or tucked tails as these indicate that they are feeling anxious, afraid, threatened or aggressive. If you notice your dog displaying any of these signs, they should be removed from the situation to avoid further escalation to the point they may snap.  
• Do Not Approach a Dog Without Permission: When petting someone’s dog, ask the owner first for permission. Dogs can become scared and anxious from a random stranger suddenly approaching them and reacting aggressively. The owner can also warn you if their dog is hostile to others.  
•  Stay Calm When a Dog Approaches You: If a stray or a dog without its owner approaches you, remain calm, stand still, and stay quiet. Keeping your hands at your sides at all times is important to avoid making them feel threatened. You should also avoid staring directly at the dog’s eyes as it poses a threat to them, triggering their anger further.  
• Do not Disturb a Dog: Dogs can be upset or startled when you disturb them while eating, sleeping or playing with one of their toys. That’s why you shouldn’t pet or approach them while doing such activities.  
• If A Dog Chases You, Don’t Run: A dog’s instinct is to run after anyone moving fast. Slow down to a walk or, better yet, stand still if a dog approaches you to make you seem less interesting.  

While dogs can be dangerous, there is no need to live in constant fear that they will hurt you. Dogs are also wonderful friends and family members that will provide you with unconditional love and companionship. They need guidance for appropriate behaviour and become accustomed to dealing with unusual situations. Dog safety ensures that we can be good and knowledgeable guides for our pet dogs.  

That’s why you need to equip yourself with the necessary knowledge for handling and taking care of your dog. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Dog Safety for more information about this subject.  

If you’re not confident in your abilities to guide your dog towards the right path, we also got you covered. Book a one-on-one session with Jay, the Knight of Dog Safety, for a dog training service to help your dog achieve obedience and discipline to keep everyone safe.