Dog Bite Prevention Week starts May 15
May 15 to 21 marks National Dog Bite Prevention Week. Not only are these injuries a health concern, but they can also take a bite out of the insurance industry.
Last year, State Farm said it paid more than $90 million as a result of the nearly 3,500 dog bite claims. The Insurance Information Institute (III) estimates that in 2009, insurers across the United States paid more than $412 million in dog bite claims.
In Canada, the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) found that from 1990 to 2003, 17,747 injuries associated with dog contact were reported, with 78.4 percent (13,921) involving bites.
The Toronto Humane Society (THS) is offering pet owners and non-owners alike tips to avoid potential bites.
“Fear and anxiety are the source of aggression and biting is the worst possible ending for aggression,” said Shaswar Ahmad Arahman, THS Canine Behaviour Specialist, in a statement. “Dog bites can be prevented by setting your dog up for success with proper socialization, exercise and training.”
Shaswar, whose core focus is accessing all shelter dogs and ensuring they are behaviourally ready for adoption, says the most common behaviourial problems he sees and treats canines for include different types of aggression, separation anxiety and general handling.
Here are some of his tips on how to prevent a dog bite:
- Don’t set your dog up for failure. Build on your dog’s confidence and independence by introducing new types of safe stress to condition him/her to act calm and relaxed at all times.
- Learn to read your dog’s body language in order to stop incidents before they escalate.
- Socialize young puppies so that they feel at ease around people and other animals.
- Don’t put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased, such as leaning over him/her in a domineering way or placing your hand firmly on its head.
- Educate your children on how, or if, they should approach a dog. For instance, never approach a dog from behind or sneak up on it in any other way.
- Train your dog. The basic commands “sit,” “stay,” “no,” and “come here” help dogs understand what is expected of them and can help build a trusting relationship between the dog and its owner(s).
- Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy, both physically and mentally.
- Avoid games that may incite agitation like wrestling or tug-of-war.
- Ensure he/she receives the proper and right amount of veterinarian care needed. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases.
- Neuter or spay your pet.
- If you have a fenced yard, make sure the gates are secure.
