Safeguarding Your Dog Against Dog Attack
13 Steps to keep you and your dog safer when out.
Introduction:
With the increasing incidents of dog attacks, it is crucial to prioritise the safety of our furry companions.
Restricting their movements due to fear is unfair to dogs who thrive on exploration and new experiences. However, there are practical measures we can adopt to meet their needs while minimizing risks. This blog provides valuable insights and effective strategies to protect your dog from potential dangers, ensuring their mental well-being and your peace of mind.
Maintaining Control in Off-Leash Areas: In off-leash areas, it is essential to have complete control over your dog. When encountering people or other dogs, keep your dog close or leash them. If the other dog owner leashes their dog, follow suit. If your dog tends to approach other dogs, or people, putting them on a leash may prevent unwanted interactions.
Dog Parks: A Balancing Act: While dog parks provide opportunities for socialization, they can also be chaotic. Exercise caution by being aware of potential triggers. Avoid situations that escalate arousal levels, such as bringing balls or food that might lead to resource guarding and conflicts. Additionally, be cautious of dogs guarding their owners, as their defensive behavior can instigate attacks.
Street Walks: Navigating Urban Environments: Walking your dog along busy streets increases the likelihood of encountering unrestrained dogs. To minimize risks, avoid houses with aggressive dogs barking and jumping at fences. Additionally, consider walking during less crowded times, such as early mornings, evenings, or when most people are at work.
Choosing Safer Locations: Opt for secluded areas that allow you to exercise your dog while maintaining visibility of the surroundings. Secluded beaches and bush areas with clear sightlines to parking lots, beaches, or trails can help you spot approaching people and dogs in advance.
Weather as an Ally: Take advantage of bad weather conditions for walks. During these times, off-leash areas, beaches, and bush trails are often deserted, providing a safer environment for your dog.
The Power of Muzzles: Muzzles can be an effective tool even for non-aggressive dogs. By using a muzzle, you can deter other owners from approaching or help keep their dogs at a distance, ensuring your dog's space and comfort.
Umbrellas as a Defensive Measure: Carrying an umbrella can serve as a protective shield against approaching dogs. Opening it in front of an oncoming dog can create a visual barrier and buy you time to move away or for the other dog's owner to intervene.
Consider an armor Protective Vest: Equip your dog with a protective vest designed to deter attacks. These vests provide an extra layer of defense, minimizing the risk of injury in case of an aggressive encounter. (Link to an example product: https://www.amazon.com.au/Protection-Harness-Attacks-Waterproof-X-Small/dp/B09T3XKDP1)
Techniques to Ward off Approaching Dogs: When faced with an approaching dog, use tactics such as yelling that your dog is contagious, opening your umbrella toward the dog, or throwing high-value treats away from you to divert the dog's attention. Carrying citronella spray or a noise horn can also help deter unwanted advances.
Put your dog up or away: Can you put your small dog in a bin, on the roof of a car, on the bed of a ute or over a fence to keep them safe?
Active Movement and Awareness: Keeping your dog moving during encounters can help prevent escalating tensions. Be mindful of other owners' body language; if they are moving their dog away to avoid interaction, respect their cues and prevent your dog from approaching.
Personal Safety Considerations: Avoid running when faced with an aggressive dog, as you cannot outrun them. While picking up your dog or shielding them with your body can save their life, it puts you at risk of serious injury. Evaluate the situation.
A person going to be attacked: If you think you are going to be attacked and you are by yourself, without your dog. Stand still, tuck your hands under your armpits like a tree. Do not move, don’t make any noise. Even the most aggressive dogs will often walk away. If you get knocked to the ground, curl your knees up to your chest and protect your face. Curl into a snail position. Stay Still, don’t yell or scream. Wait for the dog to lose interest in you and move away before slowly moving away yourself to safety.
None of this information is fail-safe. But a few things in here might help to keep you safe. Throwing treats to an approaching aggressive dog, saved my dog’s life before. BBQ Chicken to the rescue!