Exercising Responsible Dog Ownership
September 23, 2009 by Paris and John
Filed under Tips, Training
All you have to do is pick up a paper and you’ll see examples of irresponsible dog ownership–the dog attacks that all too often make headlines. But dog lovers know that it doesn’t have to be that way; you can change and correct your dog’s behavior. It’s a move that’s beneficial to neighbors who are scared of dogs, dog owners who worry about lawsuits, and, most of all, the dogs themselves that risk seizure by authorities if their behavior goes unchecked. Today’s tip comes from Outwest Canine Consulting’s Bill Allen on the importance of Responsible Dog Ownership.
Responsible Dog Ownership
by Bill Allen
Another news release has prompted me to express my concerns to the “bad” people of the dog community. An elderly woman was attacked in her own backyard by two dogs owned by her neighbor. She managed to fight the dogs off with a gardening tool. One of the dogs, however, did manage to leave a “large laceration” on her leg.
Another neighbor stated that she had reported that these same two dogs were loose to animal control at least ten times before the attack. Animal control said that they had gone to the owner’s house at some point before this incident, but did not think the dogs were a threat. Animal control also said that if the dogs are in their own yard when they arrive nothing can be done. They can follow a dog into a backyard and seize it, but if it gets back into the yard before they respond, the dogs are not loose.
The news release talks about the attack, the response from neighbors and animal control. But nothing is said about the owners of the dogs that attacked this woman, in her own yard. The owners are the root of the problem, why not ask them why their dogs attacked? Most of us already know the answer to the question. I can’t wait for the day that someone admits to the world, “I am not a responsible dog owner. That’s why my dog is aggressive.”
We should not allow people to put up “BEWARE OF DOG” signs on their property. The sign should say “IRRESPONSIBLE DOG OWNER.” If your dog has aggression issues, be responsible and correct the problem. Putting up a sign may keep people away from your problem, but if the dog escapes, there is no control and the dog will get into trouble.
Here is an example of how aggressions can start. Let’s use a garbage truck as the cause of an aggressive episode. It starts when the truck pulls up in front of the house and the dog reacts at first by barking. The guys throw the bags in the truck and the truck leaves. To the dog it was the bark that made the big noisy truck go away. Now the dog thinks, anything that comes close to the house, can be controlled by barking. Allowed to continue without correction, barking turns to growling, pawing and then to frustration that leads to all out aggression.
Correcting aggression can be complicated. But it can be done. You may need to find someone with experience in dog behavior to show you how, but most types of aggression can be corrected. Admitting your dog has an aggression problem is the first step. It’s easy to say “that’s the way my dog has always reacted” and do nothing. Responsible dog owners take the time and make the effort to correct aggression.
About the Author: Canada-based Bill Allen operates Outwest Canine Consulting, Pipeline Leak Detection and offers Beginner Agility/Puppy Obedience.
For More Information:
- email outwest@eclipsewireless.ca
- visit Outwest Canine Consulting and Pipeline Leak Detection Facebook fan page
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