Dog Article: Kids & Dogs.

Scarred for life by Tricia Grey, Kasharno GSD
Published - QLD Dog World - November 2000

Recent dog attacks have once again raised public awareness of dogs and dog ownership. Being aware of the possibilities when combining children and dogs is fine but, in my opinion, being prepared is better.

There are very few "bad dogs" and therefore the responsibility for protecting children and our dogs must rest with us. We, as adults, should take steps to reduce the chances of a set circumstances leading to a tragedy.
No dog is 100% reliable with children.
Understanding why dog attacks happen is very important. The reason for an attack is often forgotten by the media and if an attack involves a child the injuries are usually facial and severe.

I am sure we all shudder when we read of another attack but do we ever look at our own family pet and think it could happen in our home. Of course it could. We understand how important it is to socialize our dogs with people but this is not enough. A well-educated dog still has 42 teeth and a basic instinct for survival.

A dog's behaviour is influenced by his surroundings and his previous experiences. If a dog has never seen an infant he may "read" this new "thing" as a threat and attack. Why does the dog not see the infant as human? Simple… They don't sound human, they don't move as humans do and thanks to powders and lotions they don't smell human. The dog with no memory to draw on, may misread the situation. A proper introduction of the baby and dog is needed. Once the dog understands this 'thing' is no threat he can draw on these memories next time.

An adult dog lies in the sun and falls asleep. Deep sleep. What bliss. Suddenly the dog is jumped on or fallen over by a toddler. The dog wakes with a large dose of fear and the instinct for self-preservation takes over. Attack is the best form of defence. The child is badly bitten and the dog is on a one-way trip to the vet. All of this could have been avoided.

A young child is eating a biscuit. The family dog wants the biscuit. The child lifts his hand higher to keep the biscuit away from the dog. The dog jumps up. The child falls and screams. The scream triggers an attack from the dog. The child is badly bitten and the dog on a one-way trip. Again, all of this could have been avoided.

Kids and the dog go down to the creek for a swim. The dog is in the water with the kids and keeps a watchful eye on them. Good fun until the kids start to jump in off the creek bank. One at a time the dog can cope with, but the kids jump in two or three at a time. Dog becomes distressed. He can't keep track of the kids. Dog starts swimming frantically, biting at the water trying to find the missing child. You know the rest.

We spend many hours teaching our children about "Stranger Danger". We spend many hours teaching them to ride a bike. Kids are taught more about road rules than how to treat the family dog even though both can kill. I have seen some cruel acts by little children on dogs and yet we don't allow the dog to retaliate. A little bit of forethought and a lot of education would go a long way to reducing the risks.

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Dog Article: Attacks

TITLE: Parent told: beware of the dogs
Published: The Sunday Mail December 31 2000.
By: ELISSA LAWRENCE

CHILDREN are at risk of dog attacks because their parents are ignorant of basic safety measures.

A recent study of parents whose children had suffered injury from a dog attack showed most had not recognised the telltale signs of danger. In retrospect, however, most parents said they saw ways the attack could have been prevented.

The study by the University of Western Australia's department of Public health examined 150 dog attacks on children over a 12 month period - an average of almost one every two days.
Parents of 64 children were surveyed.
Results show 75% of dog attacks on children aged between one and six occurred in a private setting and that the head, neck or face was the most common part of the body injured.

About 60% of parents said the dogs involved were familiar with the child, and more than half of parents (57%) said they could now identify ways that the attack could have been avoided. Bigger breeds of dog such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Dobermann's accounted for about 13 % of attacks, compared to Blue Heelers (14%), Kelpies (11 %), Mongrels (9.5%), Border Collies (6%) and Bull Terriers (6%).

Three out of five attacks were the result of a child disturbing the dog, playing with or feeding the dog, waking the dog from sleep or using body language perceived as threatening by the dog.

Study author Alex Willson said parents were often unaware of the dangers. "Parents need to have increased awareness about prevention. Education is the Key" he said.
"Most attacks happen in people's backyards and parents tend to be fairly complacent."
"In most cases, they know the dog because it is their own pet or their friend's or neighbours dog. But they need to be just as careful around familiar dogs as strange dogs."

Kay Hodges, manager of Bark Busters, a behavioural dog therapy and training business said school holidays were a prime time for dog attacks. "It's a time when people are getting a new dog for the kids and dogs are being played with a lot more" she said.
"Kids gets excited in play and the dog's adrenalin is building up. Dog's play differently to kids. They jump up and get excited and they snap. "We need to get the word out that it can be avoided. The last thing we want is to see kids out there being bitten unnecessarily.

TIPS - FOR PARENTS
1.Never leave a child alone with a dog.
2.When visiting a friend's house, don't let your child play with the dog unsupervised.
3.Don't allow a child to feed a dog unsupervised.
4.Never let your child discipline your dog.
5.Never allow your dog to snatch food from your child.

TIPS - FOR CHILDREN
1.Never pat a strange dog, even if the owner is present.
2.Stay away while a dog is sleeping or eating.
3.Never pull a dog's tail or ears or tease it.
4.If knocked to the ground by a dog, roll into a ball, cover your face with your arms and stay still.

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Safety Tips for in Cars & Utes:

1. Never Leave dogs in the car on a hot day even if the window is down and only for a minute, it may be that minute too long. Dogs over heat quickly.

2. Always restrain you dog in the car, for the safety sake of the dog and for yourself. In the event of an accident or even heavy braking the dog could become propelled into you or out the window. There are a number of excellent harnesses on the market now.

3. Always restrain you dog in the back of a Ute. At the front centre of the tray, so it only has just enough lead to more a little from side to side.

4. Do "break in" the dog into riding in the back of a Ute. Allow the dog to take short trips, increasing each time until they seam comfortable & sure footed.

5. Don't allow your dog(s) to eat or drink too much before a long trip.

6. Do stop often to give your dog a break and explore the rest area.


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Forums

Health Forum - primary focus of this list will be on issues such as vaccination and the risk/benefit ratio.

This list is intended for dog owners in Australia who are concerned about various issues and management factors that impact on the health, wellbeing and behavior of our dogs.

Whether your dog is the result of selective mating or a rescued mutt is not relevant. On this list we base ‘value’ on the unique human/dog bond that develops from shared quality companionship.

The primary focus of this list will be on issues such as vaccination and the risk/benefit ratio of other commonly recommended treatments and prophylactics. However, other topics will also be discussed and these include factors like feeding, ‘holistic’ care, traveling and holidaying with your dog, legislation and by-laws, boarding, socializing and training.

The aim of this list is for participants to network and to share their experiences and their views as well as posting credible (reference sourced) information from elsewhere.

It is envisaged there will be a spirit of goodwill and support flowing through this Group and although it is a serious list, good humor and occasional Off Topic diversions will always be welcomed.

Flaming will not be tolerated. All references to products in which a member has a personal commercial interest must be limited to it being included in the signature block when posting to the list.

Please note Yahoo generates the advertising on this site, and we do not necessarily recommend the products being promoted.

If members choose to act on information, tips or advice from any other member/s it is entirely their own responsibility. It is recommended that everyone should consult with an appropriately qualified practitioner to discuss any proposed changes to the care they give their dog.

If you would like to become member of the list view here
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Aussiek9companions/?yguid=20911085

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An Australian Alternative to castration now available

Have you been advised by your vet to have your beloved male puppy castrated before he grows up? Are you worried or already suffering from your mature male dog’s annoying habits such as aggression, roaming after females and marking of territory at every given opportunity?

Previously, the only solution to this behaviour was castration, which involves surgical removal of the testes. Now an Australian innovation has been developed so that surgical castration of male dogs is not necessary, and the annoying habits of mature dogs should not become a problem. Male dogs can be given a temporary contraceptive implant meaning that not only is behaviour controlled but breeding in the future is still possible.

The small implant is administered between the dog’s shoulders without using anaesthetic, in a similar way to micro-chipping. The drug is effective in reducing testosterone within 14 days and provides temporary sterilisation for male dogs of all ages and sizes within 4 weeks after implantation.

The technology has been trialled for over 10 years and there are two different implant options, lasting for either a 6 or 12 month period. When the effect of the implants have worn off, the dog’s testosterone levels return to normal and fertility resumes.

“As castration isn’t always the best option for male dogs, the implants offer vets and dog owners an alternative to castration and a safe and reliable way of controlling fertility and behaviour,” said Peptech Animal Health Marketing and Technical Services Manager Dr Katie Yeates. “Dog owners will no longer have to put their dogs through an anaesthetic or surgery, a simple implant will produce the same beneficial effects as castration,” she concluded.

The implants have also proven to be effective in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, an enlargement of the prostate gland commonly seen in older entire dogs that can cause numerous clinical signs varying in severity. These dogs are often not good candidates for surgery therefore the implant offers the perfect solution without putting the older dog under the stress of the anaesthetic.

The 12 month lasting implant can be given at the same time as annual check-ups and vaccinations providing dog owners with a convenient option for fertility control, or alternatively the original 6 month version can be used as a shorter term option.

The contraceptive implants are products of Peptech Animal Health Pty Limited (PAH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Australian biotechnology company Peptech Limited (ASX:PTD).

To discuss the new options available to control your male dog’s fertility and his behaviour please contact your local vet or suprelorin@peptech.com (www.peptech.com)

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