Happy Sunday, Missians!
Sorry I haven't posted since last Monday's Mythical Beast post. It was my intention to get another post out to you guys Thursday or Friday, but I found myself having a bit of writer's block. Sometimes it can be challenging trying to come up with interesting topics for this blog and my Girl October blog; but worry not, I'll make it up to you guys by having three posts this week. There'll be one today of course, another Mythical Beasts post tomorrow, and we'll have another post on Wednesday or Thursday.
Since today begins Dog Bite Prevention Week, I would like this entry to focus on ways we can avoid dog bites to ourselves and loved ones. Keep in mind, most dog bites are totally preventable with the execution of some good common sense and respectful treatment of our canine friends.
1. Never leave babies and small children unattended around dogs. Young children have a tendency to pull dogs' tails or fur. Many dogs do have patience with young family members--but just like people, their patience will wear thin after a point. Repeated tail or fur pulling can hurt and frustrate a dog, triggering it to bite. If you're in the room and witness your small child doing this to a dog, it's not cute! Stop the child immediately--unless you want him to get bitten.
2. If your dog starts to exhibit aggressive behavior around certain family members without provocation, attend to the matter as soon as possible. If it's only certain visitors to your home, keep the dog away from these persons. If aggression and behavior problems come on suddenly, make sure your dog's health is okay, first. If its health checks out fine, you may have to seek out an obedience trainer to discover the cause of the aggressive behavior.
3. If you are out in public with your dog, make sure it is on a leash--especially if you're walking in an area where your pooch is likely to run into another dog. Dogs can be territorial with each other and ready for a fight if they feel threatened. Also, if you don't have a fenced-in yard, do not leave your dog unattended outside.
4. Don't bother dogs while they're eating, (and sometimes playing with their toys). Dogs are very territorial about items they perceive to be theirs. From their perspective, that means, don't mess with my bone! Don't mess with my stuffed rabbit! Don't bother my water! Don't try to take my food! Leave dogs in peace while eating or drinking, and unless you know your dog clearly likes for you to yank its toy from it, (because he views it as a game), don't play tug of war with a pup and his toy.
5. Be careful when play-fighting around dogs too. Dogs are very protective of family members. They may not be able to tell the difference between someone in their family pretend- wrestling with a friend, from the family member actually having a real fight with a friend. This could lead to a bitten friend. My dog, Practical would growl at my mom when she'd sit on our back porch combing my hair. I was tender-headed and would always cry while she detangled my hair. Practical didn't understand that my mom wasn't purposely trying to hurt me. He loved me, and automatically assumed when I cried, that my mom was doing me harm.
6. Never run up on a stray dog in public. Though it's always tempting to want to pet every dog you see, it's not a good idea to assume all dogs are friendly. Even if they're on a leash and with their owner, still ask for permission to pet the dog.
7. If you raise a dog from the time it's a puppy, just like with kittens, it's a good idea to get them socialized as early as possible--especially if you know you like to entertain, and frequently have company over. The more comfortable your dog is around people, early on, the better.
8. Don't challenge a dog by looking it straight on in the eye. Dogs highly, see staring as a form of aggression, and may be inspired to take you on, if you engage in such behavior. Teach your kids early, not to stare dogs directly in the eyes for prolonged periods of time.
9. Don't be a major butt-hole and raise your dog to be aggressive! No dog fighting. No giving the dog hot peppers, or clipping its ears, or cutting its tail, because you want a stereotypical vicious, Pitt Bull or Rottweiler. If you're going to be cruel to a dog, don't get a dog! Period. People like this contribute in a major way to dog bites just by raising dogs in such horrendous ways.
Dogs are awesome pets. With just a little time, love, respect, and dedication, you and your family can have a wonderful canine experience. Let's do our part to prevent or at least cut down on the number of dog bites for the rest of 2017. Let's be smart. Let's be responsible.
Until tomorrow,
This is your host J,
signing off...
Sorry I haven't posted since last Monday's Mythical Beast post. It was my intention to get another post out to you guys Thursday or Friday, but I found myself having a bit of writer's block. Sometimes it can be challenging trying to come up with interesting topics for this blog and my Girl October blog; but worry not, I'll make it up to you guys by having three posts this week. There'll be one today of course, another Mythical Beasts post tomorrow, and we'll have another post on Wednesday or Thursday.
Since today begins Dog Bite Prevention Week, I would like this entry to focus on ways we can avoid dog bites to ourselves and loved ones. Keep in mind, most dog bites are totally preventable with the execution of some good common sense and respectful treatment of our canine friends.
1. Never leave babies and small children unattended around dogs. Young children have a tendency to pull dogs' tails or fur. Many dogs do have patience with young family members--but just like people, their patience will wear thin after a point. Repeated tail or fur pulling can hurt and frustrate a dog, triggering it to bite. If you're in the room and witness your small child doing this to a dog, it's not cute! Stop the child immediately--unless you want him to get bitten.
2. If your dog starts to exhibit aggressive behavior around certain family members without provocation, attend to the matter as soon as possible. If it's only certain visitors to your home, keep the dog away from these persons. If aggression and behavior problems come on suddenly, make sure your dog's health is okay, first. If its health checks out fine, you may have to seek out an obedience trainer to discover the cause of the aggressive behavior.
3. If you are out in public with your dog, make sure it is on a leash--especially if you're walking in an area where your pooch is likely to run into another dog. Dogs can be territorial with each other and ready for a fight if they feel threatened. Also, if you don't have a fenced-in yard, do not leave your dog unattended outside.
4. Don't bother dogs while they're eating, (and sometimes playing with their toys). Dogs are very territorial about items they perceive to be theirs. From their perspective, that means, don't mess with my bone! Don't mess with my stuffed rabbit! Don't bother my water! Don't try to take my food! Leave dogs in peace while eating or drinking, and unless you know your dog clearly likes for you to yank its toy from it, (because he views it as a game), don't play tug of war with a pup and his toy.
5. Be careful when play-fighting around dogs too. Dogs are very protective of family members. They may not be able to tell the difference between someone in their family pretend- wrestling with a friend, from the family member actually having a real fight with a friend. This could lead to a bitten friend. My dog, Practical would growl at my mom when she'd sit on our back porch combing my hair. I was tender-headed and would always cry while she detangled my hair. Practical didn't understand that my mom wasn't purposely trying to hurt me. He loved me, and automatically assumed when I cried, that my mom was doing me harm.
6. Never run up on a stray dog in public. Though it's always tempting to want to pet every dog you see, it's not a good idea to assume all dogs are friendly. Even if they're on a leash and with their owner, still ask for permission to pet the dog.
7. If you raise a dog from the time it's a puppy, just like with kittens, it's a good idea to get them socialized as early as possible--especially if you know you like to entertain, and frequently have company over. The more comfortable your dog is around people, early on, the better.
8. Don't challenge a dog by looking it straight on in the eye. Dogs highly, see staring as a form of aggression, and may be inspired to take you on, if you engage in such behavior. Teach your kids early, not to stare dogs directly in the eyes for prolonged periods of time.
9. Don't be a major butt-hole and raise your dog to be aggressive! No dog fighting. No giving the dog hot peppers, or clipping its ears, or cutting its tail, because you want a stereotypical vicious, Pitt Bull or Rottweiler. If you're going to be cruel to a dog, don't get a dog! Period. People like this contribute in a major way to dog bites just by raising dogs in such horrendous ways.
Dogs are awesome pets. With just a little time, love, respect, and dedication, you and your family can have a wonderful canine experience. Let's do our part to prevent or at least cut down on the number of dog bites for the rest of 2017. Let's be smart. Let's be responsible.
Until tomorrow,
This is your host J,
signing off...
 |
| Max the Million says, "Let's prevent dog bites!" |
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