Ever since the pandemic started, there has been an influx of new dogs being acquired. Without proper training, the cases of dog-related attacks increase as well. There has to be clear communication between you and your dog to ensure the safety of your loved ones. Without listening to dog safety guidelines, there is a big chance of attacks from your furry friends.
In 2019, the National Health Service released figures showing dog-related injuries caused an average of around 7,693 admissions to NHS hospitals annually, with a total of 23,078 from 2015 to 2018. There are rising cases until now, especially since there is more interaction between dogs and owners as more people start to work from home.
Thankfully, you can do something to promote safety around your dogs. Here are some guidelines you should always keep in mind:
- Avoid cornering any dog. Like humans, they have their personal space, too. As you get closer to their location, monitor their body language if they welcome you or not. Also, avoid approaching dogs on chains or ropes or if they are inside vehicles. Dogs can be territorial and may feel a little bit more defensive than they usually are. When dogs are tied up, they are aware their mobility is limited, so the only defence they can have is to fight back. With this, you should also avoid reaching over the fence to pet a dog.
- Make sure you first ask permission from the owner whenever you are outdoors and feel the urge to pet someone else’s dog. You should also be careful if a dog becomes stiff or does not wag his tail in a friendly manner. If you are entering someone else’s property that has a dog, do not proceed without the dog’s owner. Dogs think it is their job to protect their families, and if they don’t know, they might think you are a threat.
- Know when you can and cannot approach dogs, even when they belong to you. To avoid startling them, don’t touch them while they’re fixated on something, eating from a bowl, chewing a treat, sleeping, or feeding their puppies. When you see dogs fight, do not get between them and make sure your hands are far away from their heads.
- If you are the one approached by a dog, stay still with hands at your side and avoid eye contact. Naturally, a dog’s instinct is to chase a person. So, if you run, there is a high chance that a dog will run after you. Watch the dog from of your peripheral vision but do not turn your back. If you get attacked by a dog, roll into a ball and protect your throat and head. Find out who the dog’s owner is and get vaccinated against rabies.
- When taking care of dogs, socialise with them and include them in your family activities from the get-go. Dogs also have to interact outside your home because they need to feel comfortable and safe in the world. This is why walking dogs outside can be helpful. Not only do they get the sunlight and exercise they need, but they also become familiarised with their environment.
- When training your dog, it would be great to involve your whole family as you research positive reinforcement techniques. For example, you can make a game that reinforces good attitudes in your dog. Avoid using physical punishment because it can make your dog aggressive, resentful or fearful.
- Spay or neuter your dog. This reduces the likelihood of expensive medical conditions and decreases the number of unwanted pets left in shelters or in the streets—which can bite anyone who walks along. Did you know that within six years, 92% of all deadly attacks by dogs were by unneutered ones? So, do not take this for granted.
- As much as possible, avoid tethering your dog or chaining them to one place in your home. Tying them removes their ability to escape and makes them feel vulnerable to threats. If they can’t flee from a perceived source of fear, they would feel that they have no choice but to attack. In the fight-or-flight response, their only option now is to fight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that tethered dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite someone.
- Never let your dogs roam freely when you are walking your pets outside! This is the time you can tie them using a leash. Allowing your dog to roam freely increases their chance of getting hurt or hit by cars or receiving attacks from people or other animals.
A roaming dog may become frightened on their own, which can trigger aggressive behaviour. Tying them close to you gives them a sense of safety, that their owner is right by their side as they walk through these unfamiliar streets or parks. Don’t forget to use caution when introducing your dog to new people, new dogs or new scenarios. Provide your pet with consecutive happy memories so their social skills will continually improve. People are safer around dogs with social skills.
All of the above are essential reminders to live by when you are raising dogs. Now, when you have young children while raising your pets, that’s another story. There are plenty of guidelines you have to keep in mind regarding that, too:
- Your children should always be accompanied around your dogs, even when the family dog is already close with each member. Monitoring kids around dogs not only protects the children from harm but also protects the dog from getting hurt by children. Your kids may not always know that interacting with animals in a certain way can hurt your furry friends.
- Do not ever leave your babies unattended with your dogs around. Just recently, a three-month-old baby has been mauled to death by a family dog. Dogs do not know that infants are not as strong as adults. If you are expecting to have a child, get your dog used to the changes a baby will make in your lives as a family—including your dog’s life.
- Never permit your children to attempt to remove anything from your dog’s mouth—be it toys, food or other objects. What you can do is find something of equal or better value to trade with your dog.
- Teach the importance of dog safety to your children and observe dog-safe practices. For example, allow your dog to sniff your hand before petting him. Sniffing is a dog’s way to get to know you more. This will make the dog feel more comfortable to be around you.
- If your dog’s behaviour suddenly changes, have him checked by your veterinarian. Behavioural changes could be a symptom of an underlying medical problem. The earlier you get your dog treated, the safer it will be for everyone.
Bottomline
Taking care of your furry friends is crucial to make sure your dogs do not cause harm to other people or even to your own loved ones. Keep these safety guidelines in mind, and you’ll be able to protect your family from unwanted accidents. Stay in touch with your pets and stay safe.
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