Safety Rules for Worried Dogs

Simple Safety Rules for People Who Live With a Worried Dog
By: Ilana Reisner, DVM, PhD, DACVB

 1. Recognize your dog’s “circle of trust” (CoT). It might include only you; it might EXclude the neighbor your dog sees every day.

2. Don’t let people outside the CoT interact directly with your dog. That includes bending over him, putting a hand out for him to sniff, petting him on the head, or the back, the side, or the chest. No looking at him face to face; no hugging or kissing. If they manage to get a touch in there, stop them because prolonged petting is threatening, too.

3. If you have company in your house or yard and are distracted, see #2.

4. If your company is not reliable (ie, you hear them say, “but I love dogs” or “but dogs love me”), leash or separate your dog. Hold the leash and keep a safe distance from your visitors.

5. If your company includes children until 12 years, leash or separate your dog. Hold the leash and keep a safe distance from your visitors.

6. If your dog wags her tail and seems thrilled to see everyone, see #2. She might bite, anyway, especially if they bend down to say “hi”. Worried dogs sometimes seem "extra" friendly. It's not an invitation to stroke them.

7. Practice separating your dog. You can use a gate, crate or separate area of the house. Get her used to being there, and always include some white noise, comfortable bedding and an irresistible, frozen food-filled toy.

This is over-cautious for many dogs, but it is the only way to really decrease any risk of biting. Worried dogs will protect themselves if the threat is threatening enough (see #2).  Read more about Dr. Reisner, Click Here

“The principle of self-defense…has never been condemned, even by Gandhi.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.



Like Us on Facebook
Follow on Twitter