Canine Education
Informative articles and rules
~~~ Canine Charter of Rights ~~~
1) The right to humane treatment at all times.
2) The right to a formal education in canine behavior.
3) The right to a human companion, who will adhere to these canine rights.
4) The right to be clean and well groomed at all times.
5) The right to preventive and emergency health cares.
6) The right to daily supervised exercise and a safe play area.
7) The right not to be subjected to torment or other thoughtless acts.
8) The right to be housed in a clean, safe and comfortable environment.
9) The right to be protected from persons, objects, or things that may result in injury or death.
10) the right to food and drink formulated specifically for canines.
The 10 Commandments OF BITE PREVENTION FOR KIDS
According to the American Humane Association, dog bites are the number one public health problem for children, more than measles, mumps and whooping cough combined. More than 47 percent of all reported dog bites involve children. To keep your kids safe teach them the following rules about interacting with dogs.1) Treat dogs with respect. Don't tease them by poking sticks or throwing objects through the fence and don't ever provoke them into growling, barking, lunging or otherwise acting aggressively.
2) Don't chase dogs or encourage them to chase you.
3) Avoid strange dogs. Never go on to someone else's property or approach a strange dog to pet it.
4) Ask before petting someone else's dog even if you know the dog well. The dog could have a sore ear that morning and your gentle pat on that exact spot could cause the dog to bite.
5) Don't run and scream around dogs. Quick movements and high-pitched squeals can frighten a dog causing it to bite.
6) Respect a dog's privacy. Never bother a dog when it's eating, in it's crate or dog house, behind a fence or in a car.
7) Don't stare at a dog. To dogs staring is perceived as a threat and they can react aggressively. Also never run towards a strange dog.
8) Don't grab bones, balls or other toys from a dog.
9) Never stick your hand into a dog fight. Find an adult to help.
10) Warning signs of an angry dog include: barking, growling, snarling with teeth showing, ears laid flat, legs stiff, tail up and hair standing up on dog's back. If a dog looks this way, slowly walk away sideways. Never stare at it or run away. If the dog attacks, curl up in a ball and protect your face and ears with your hands.
Educating CHILDREN
Children are the prime targets of both dog-bite injuries and dog-bite fatalities. Because of the epidemic number of children bitten each year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has made dog-bite education one of it's priorities. In addition to supporting dog-bite prevention education in schools (check with your local schools to see if a program is in place), dog owners can also help support dog-bite prevention by teaching their own children the rules of behavior around both the family and the strange dog.
RULES WITH THE FAMILY PET
1) Leave the dog alone if it is eating, chewing a bone or interacting with it's puppies.
2) If the dog is asleep, do not touch it, but wake it first by gently calling its name. Approach with palms of your hands (thumb and fingers close together) let the dog sniff your hand.
3) Never hurt or tease a dog or puppy.
4) Do not play tug-f-war, wrestle or otherwise roughhouse with a puppy or dog.
5) Pat a dog on it's side not it's head.
6) Never put your face directly in the dog's face.
7) Respect the puppy or dog's quiet time and don't attempt to share the dog's bed or crate.
RULES FOR STRANGE DOGS
1) Never approach a strange dog, whether it is loose, on a chain or behind a fence.
2) Before petting a dog that is with its owner, always ask permission from the owner (and your own parent). Ask the dog's owner where the dog likes being pet best. Approach with palms of your hands open (thumb and fingers close together) let dog sniff your hand.
3) Learn what an aggressive dog looks like, a dog can be ready to bite and be wagging its tail. Wayne Hunthausen, D.V.M., offers a terrific videotape illustrating the difference between friendly and aggressive dogs, which can be found at his website http://www.kidscatsdogs.com
4) If a strange dog approaches, don't run. This could selicit a chase response from the dog.
5) Avoid direct eye contact.
6) Don't scream. Screaming, though a natural human response to fear, can elevate the dogs aggression. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that if a person says anything he or she should "speak calmly and firmly".
7) Stand like a tree, no eye contact, arms hugging your body. Not behaving like prey or an aggressor can sometimes diffuse an aggressive dog.
8) Lie like rock. If the dog attacks, the safest position is "balled up" with the arms protecting the head, ears and face.
9) Report the incident.