How to prevent a dog attack!

Its a unusually cloudy afternoon in Arizona, so after work you decide to take the dog for a well deserved walk around Chaparral lake, your dogs fave!   An enjoyable walk can turn to tragedy in a blink of an eye. Stop and take a second to read what happened at Chaparral Park Monday May 17th, 2010 on a blog my friend and fellow pet sitter Danielle Vastas of  Bellas House and Pet Sitting, posted http://www.scottsdalepetexpert.com

While we can’t control the actions and stupidity of bad dog owners, we can control situations that present themselves to us.

I was an animal control officer for a year and encountered many insane dogs. The training I got on avoiding a dog attack has proven to be a lifesaver on multiple occasions as I have prevented numerous attacks on dogs I have walked as a pet sitter!

I want to share my knowledge to you so you can prevent an attack and keep your dogs safe!
Please read these suggestions and tuck them away in your subconsciousness because I almost guarantee that one day you will see a loose dog while you are walking your dog.

-Be aware of your surroundings. Occasionally scan the park, down the street, etc.

-Do NOT text and browse the internet while you are walking your dog.  Focus on your dog and enjoy your walk.

-If you see a loose dog, look around for a potential owner. Yell to them “is that your dog”  and then if it is, tell them to put it on a “your choice of words here”leash”

-If the dog approaches you, gather your dogs in your weaker hand and keep them close. Wrap that leash up so there is little slack, they become an extension of your body.

-Stand tall and make yourself look as big as possible. Do not show fear, get ANGRY! You are protecting your babies! Tell that approaching dog to ” GO HOME!! “  take a step with one leg toward them and point away. ” GIIIIIT” ” “Giiit out of here” etc. Deep voice, authoritative, you are alpha and you tell that dog what to do. And keep yelling until that dog is heading the opposite direction. Your yells are sure to be heard by neighbors or passersby who will hopefully come help you and make sure everything is ok!

-Do not show fear, do not hesitate, do not waiver. You are protecting your best friend!

-Do not run, dogs love to chase.

-If the oncoming dog doesn’t respond to that and continues its approach and attacks your dog, the hit spots to stop the dog as it lunges are across the bridge of the nose as that is super sensitive. And on the side of the ribcage as that will knock the wind out of the dog. A good point brought to my attention is to not strike the nose if the dog is already clamped on to your dog, but only as it lunges.

There are sprays made to break up dog fights and stop attacks, it may be worth getting. Pepper spray has been proven to be useless in dog attacks. As an animal control officer we were told not to use it on dogs.

If you have a small dog your instinct would be to pick up the dog. I advise against this unless you are strong enough to put the dog above your head and kick the attacking dog in the spots mentioned above. A dog going for another dog isnt going to stop because you are holding it! They will jump up and in return accidentally bite you. Then you will drop the dog and be useless in protecting your dog!

It the dogs are fighting the best way to break up the fight is to grab the back legs of each dog. Do not grab collars as this will get you bit for sure. If you are alone, go for the attacking dogs legs. Grab both of the back legs and pull them back and  left  right left right left right.  A sweeping motion and back. The dog will turn and attempt to bite the new “threat” that has its back legs, but should not be able to get you as you are moving the dogs body left. right.left. right. This distraction will let your dog get away.

Dog attacks are very scary for all involved!  Keep your eyes open and lets prevent them before they happen!

If you live in Maricopa County and you see a loose dog, call Animal Control. 602-506-PETS(7387)

If you know where that loose dog lives you can tell animal control and they will talk to the owner about the Leash Law, http://www.maricopa.gov/Pets/FieldEnforcement/Laws.aspx and give the owner a ticket. This seems harsh, but think of the dog. If its allowed to run free, it will. It doesn’t know the the difference between sidewalk and street. Or the dangers of cars. It doesn’t know that running up to dogs on leash could get it killed. In the case above, it doesn’t know attacking other dogs isn’t cool. Dogs rely on their owners to take care of them and keep them safe, not run around loose like maniacs!

If you need help with your out of control dog, let me know, I will get you in contact with a trainer!