COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DOG BITES:
1. "My dog has NEVER bitten anyone, he is safe around kids." Just because a dog has never bitten anyone, doesnt mean that it won't ever. ALL DOGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BITE, GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES. That point should always be remembered and especially taught to children. Children - especially small ones- should NEVER be left with any dog while unsupervised.
2. "My dog just bit my neighbor's child, should he be put to sleep?" or "My neighbor's dog just bit my toddler, I think it should be put to sleep." Just because a dog bites once, doesnt mean that it is a lost cause and should be put down. The dog is not always to blame; the circumstances have to be considered.
It is our responsibility as dog owners to be able to control our dogs regardless of what distractions are happening around him. It is also our responsibility to our dog to keep him out of situations that may cause problems.
For example, do not let children play rough with your dog. Your dog will naturally want to play rough too, but the dog will almost always be the one that gets in trouble.
Do not let strangers approach your dog without your approval. This includes strange dogs. It often seems like dog owners lose their common sense when it comes to socializing dogs. Last year we were at a doggy event with our 2 VERY friendly labs, but we kept them near us and out of other dogs faces and out of the faces of children. Even though we have never had a problem with either, we tried to use common sense and avoid any possible confrontations. One dog owner allowed her dogs to jump on ours and she laughed and said "I really like to socialize my dogs as much as possible." This is not the proper way to socialize a dog. This is the way to get your dog put in it's place by a more dominant or fearful dog.
Fortunately for her, we had complete control of our dogs and knew how to respond to the situation. But if our lab would have jumped on her smaller dog, I guarantee she would have considered herself blameless.
The same is true for children. We have to be vigilant as dog owners to not allow children to get in the face of our dogs. For the safety of the dogs and the children. The very things that children often do around dogs are the things that set dogs off and that is why so many children are bitten.
To humans, it is nice to smile and look each other in the eyes. To dogs, these things are threatening. Dogs are naturally pack animals - it is instinct. In a pack, the most dominant or pack leader will stare at the less dominant dogs. The less dominant will look away; if not, a fight will often follow. Same idea with smiling; to humans it is a friendly way of saying "hello, I want to get to know you, I wont hurt you." Guess what a dog sees --- TEETH.
If you are having problems with an unsocialized dog, fearfulness, aggression or just need help with obedience, please see our website for more information on our training services.
http://www.discovercanine.com/
info@discovercanine.com
