Helpful Tips about your Pets
Helpful Hints: Dogs and Children
Children under 6 years of age naturally approach and relate to dogs inappropriately. This could lead to injury to the child or pet.
Five basic things children should be taught:
- Never approach a strange dog
- Never pet a dog without asking permission
- Never reach over a dog’s head to pet it. Slowly present the back of your hand as a fist, palm down
- Never run when around dogs. Screaming and shouting is also prohibited
- Never stare into dogs eyes.
Size matters. The size of the child in relationship to the dog is all-important. Really small children would be better off not having Toy breeds. Big dogs tend to knock over small children.
Parental/adult supervision is a must at all times. If a child is attacked they must understand to immediately assume the fetal position.
With dog attacks on the rise on our streets & in our parks the understanding of a dog's body language could, in some instances alert you before a dangerous situation develops. Not all dogs are happy well adjusted pets that react calmly to new situations. The following website, I feel, is a good study as it gives you pictures & easy to read narratives. Visit: www.k9events.com & click on calming signals.
Spaying & Neutering & obedience training reduce the risk of dog on dog attack and yearly pet boosters insure that your pet is immunized against the most commonly carried animal diseases. You should also have up to date tetanus shots.
Vicious Dog Attacks: There have been 109 bite-related deaths in the past 6 years In event that you fear an unavoidable attack either on your person or your dog, do not try to intervene. Based on Canadian Legislation, spray based animal repellant may be carried on your person for use against aggressive animals. This pepper based spray changes the attack stance immediately & allows you & your pet to escape without injuries.
Pepper Spray comes in a small, 20-gram canister that fits discreetly in a pocket or purse. It features a safety-locking spray button mechanism; an available black nylon holster or it can fit on your key chain. The spray has a range of 3.5 meters.
Note: Pepper Spray (Oleoresin Capsaicin) is not a toy, and should only be used in situations where personal safety is threatened. Improper use may result in criminal and civil charges. Must be 18 years of age or older. Our Oleorsin Capsaicin (pepper spray) solution is: Non-lethal, Safe and Effective.
100% legal in Canada and registered under the PCP Act and with Health Canada.
If your dog is attacked:
- Do NOT pick up your dog in an effort to protect him. The attacking dog may leap at you instead (in a bid to get at your dog) and you may be seriously injured just for 'being in the way'. If you are hurt, you won't be able to help your dog.
- Soothe and comfort your dog as best you can afterwards. Be careful; dogs that are fearful or in pain may bite - even if they're normally very gentle.
- Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses - or if your dog is severely injured and in need of immediate vet care, consider telling them your address and asking that they drop off their names and numbers there.
- Note any details you can about the dogs, where they live, and their owner.
- Note the day and the time.
- Get your dog to the vet - even if he doesn't show any external signs of injury. Better to be safe than sorry.
- File a complaint with the local animal control officers as soon as you can. Even if the owners apologize, pay the vet bill, seem like nice people ... FILE A COMPLAINT. If the dog has a history of aggressiveness, animal control can make a decision on what additional steps they may need to take. If yours is the first complaint then it's on file should anything ever happen again.
Pets that are KNOWN to be aggressive should never be given the chance to exercise their aggressive tendencies. Owners need to keep these pets securely leashed and under control at all times.
So if you or your pet is attacked, don't feel guilty about reporting the incident - no matter how apologetic the owners are, or how nice they seem. You're doing your part in helping to keep others safe
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