On Missing The Imprint Stage Of Puppyhood
On Missing The Imprint Stage Of Puppyhood
Author: Adam G. Katz
Dear Adam:
[From a previous e-mail which questioned why I recommend that dog owners don't try to train their dogs in a group class setting]
Yes, I understand about the imprint stages [two week stages from birth to 4 months of age in which a small amount of exposure will have a lasting affect on the dog's socialization to it's surroundings] but not everybody lives in the ideal world of getting their puppy at 6 to 8 weeks of age.
[The imprint stage when dogs learn dominant and subordinate behavior with other dogs. Missing this stage, or having a negative experience during this stage, can cause dog aggression later in life].
What are you then suggesting happens? There are a lot of people out there that don’t know the first thing about dog training. So, all of these theories are great but how would that help somebody that comes to you when their dog is a couple of years old and displays canine aggression?
Regards,
TB.
Dear TB:
Here’s the deal: I don’t have a lot of time to go into detail as this is a subject that could end up being another book. But to fix this type of thing, you need to:
#1: Establish yourself as the pack leader so that the dog respects you and what you say.
#2: Build a strong sit and down stay.
#3: Teach the dog that he must hold the positions around other dogs. It’s your responsibility to make sure that the other dogs do not jump on him.
#4: With some dogs, the aggression can only be controlled. Other dogs will get comfortable enough, over time being around other dogs, that it will be eliminated. It really depends on the dog.
#5: The problem with group classes is that there is too much going on for your dog to really learn. Plus, the 10-on-1 nature means that YOUR instruction is lacking. It’s a good environment if the dog is ALREADY TRAINED… as you can take advantage of the various distractions. [During the proofing stage, that is]. But for teaching the dog… no way!
And you don’t have to trust my opinion. Just look at the caliber of training that you’ll find with dogs that come out of group classes. They’re substandard compared to dogs and owners that have worked just a few sessions with a competent dog trainer.
To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): http://tinyurl.com/4efaq
Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!
About the Author
Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!“ which you can read more about at:
http://tinyurl.com/4efaq
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On dog bites and other dog injuries… (Part 2)
Author: Granny’s Mettle
Dog bites are very common injuries for both adults and children. People bitten by a dog can have permanent disfigurement, psychological trauma, and worse, even death. It is therefore necessary to always provide great care when dealing with dogs, even those that are considered as pets.
Precautionary measures are provided by experts and medical practitioners to avoid getting bitten. However, when one gets dog bites, one should know his/her rights, especially when it comes to recovering damages.
If you or a family is bitten by a dog, you should:
… try to identify the dog. If the dog has rabies, it is important that you should seek medical care and get the appropriate vaccines against the rabies.
… not argue with the owner of the dog. Arguing won’t do any good, especially when the owner doesn’t want to believe what happened. Many owners believe in the goodness of their pets that’s why it’s hard for them to accept that their dog would bite without severe provocation.
… not sign any papers or make statements on record. The dog owner, property owner or their insurance company might try to get you to sign papers or record your statements on tape. Take note that their primary goal is to get you to make statements that will help in their cause to avoid possible liabilities for your injuries. If this happens, you should consider having a lawyer present to assist you.
… make a report to the police. Report the incident to the police and they will investigate the circumstances of the dog bite. They will then provide a report that may help establish the incident.
… seek medical care. The dog that bit you may have rabies. In that case, you will need appropriate vaccines to counter the effects of rabies. On the other hand, dog bites involve puncture wounds from fangs. These can be easily infected. Also, you may have scrapes and abrasions from protecting yourself during the attack. An infected wound can result in a worse scar, and even serious complications and consequences.
… consider consulting a lawyer. A reliable lawyer can help you get back your financial losses as well as the emotional and psychological effects from the injuries caused by the incident. Even if the insurance company offers to give you payment, it helps to have a lawyer review the proposed settlement. A lawyer you can trust can help you obtain a fair outcome.
The Law
Different laws on dog bite injuries are provided in different states. In Michigan, victims of dog bites can easily establish liability on the part of the owner. Under Michigan law, it doesn’t matter if the dog has never bitten another person. There is no “free bite rule”. Dog owners are liable even if it’s the first time that they’re dogs bit somebody.
On the other hand, people may also be injured even without getting bitten by a dog. An attack may cause injury through the dog’s claws, when the person was knock over, or when the driver of a bicycle was upset by a dog. If injured, these individuals may file claims, and recover damages from the dog’s owner.
Check your state’s law for information on dog bites.
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On dog bites and other dog injuries… (Part 1)
Author: Granny’s Mettle
Dog bites are very common injuries for both adults and children. They can cause serious consequences from permanent disfigurement to psychological trauma. Worse, they could also result to death. No one is protected from sudden attacks of dogs.
In protecting oneself, always remember that there’s no such thing as a dog that doesn’t bite. In fact, statistics show that most cases of dog bite injuries are from those that are considered as pets.
So to protect yourself and your family from getting bitten, here is some information you need to know that may be helpful:
Basic Steps to Safety
•DO NOT approach a dog, especially when you are not familiar with the animal. Even when you know the dog, ask the owner’s permission before you try to touch or pet it. When you have the owner’s permission, extend the back of your hand and allow the dog to sniff you before you try to touch or pet it. Rule of thumb: EXTEND THE BACK OF YOUR HAND. NOT YOUR FINGERS.
•DO NOT try to touch the dog when it’s eating.
•DO NOT touch or pet a resting or sleeping dog. Always remember that dogs should always be aware of your approach.
•DO NOT approach a mother dog that has puppies, particularly if the mother is nursing.
•DO NOT stare a dog in the eyes, especially if the dog is strange or seem threatening. If you have information or you suspect that the dog is abused or neglected, take extra care in approaching it. Consider that the dog may be dangerous.
•DO NOT get the dog very excited or engage it in excessive rough play. The dog’s instincts may overpower its self-control.
•DO NOT let a dog feel cornered. Exercise extra care in small or enclosed areas. Dogs feel trapped when in a place too small for them to find an exit.
•DO NOT leave your baby or toddler with a dog. It doesn’t matter that the dog is a pet. Some experts say that no child under the age of ten should be left alone with a dog. You never know when or what might trigger the dog’s reaction to your child.
•DO NOT back away from a strange dog. It may think that you’re playing with it.
Children Should Always be Protected
Aside from not leaving your children with dogs, it is important to teach them on how to behave when in the company of dogs. Parents and guardians should also provide appropriate supervision for young children when dogs are present.
Experts contend that children under the age of ten should not be left alone with a dog for they may not be able to behave appropriately around it. Also, experts say that the children are too small to defend themselves when attacked even by a small dog.
In addition, dogs may confuse children’s movements and behavior and mistake them for prey. It is better to take the precautionary measures now than be sorry later on. Below are a few instructions that parents should teach their children:
?Not every dog that wags its tail is friendly.
?Do not approach or play with a dog unless an adult is present.
?Do not approach a stray dog, or a dog you do not know.
?Get permission first from the dog’s owner before approaching it. When you approach a dog, be sure that the owner is present.
?Remain calm and still when a dog approaches you.
?Do not tease dogs, or make loud noises around a dog.
?Avoid staring into a dog’s eyes.
?Do not try to help an injured dog. Get a grown-up to help you.
?Don’t put your hand between two dogs. If the dog is behind a fence, do not reach through the fence.
?Keep your face away from dogs.
?If you got scared by a dog, do not run away, scream or shout.
?If a dog knocks you over, stay on the ground. Stay completely still. Protect your head, face, neck and arms. Tell a grown-up right away.
?If a dog bites, try to give something else for the dog to bite or chew. Give your backpack or jacket. Protect your head and face. As always, tell a grown-up right away.
Special Circumstances
Have you noticed that the paperboy riding a bike is always attacked by dogs in your neighborhood? There are special cases when dogs readily attack people. Rapid movement attracts a dog’s attention that’s why it is best to take caution when engaged in certain activities.
Riding a bicycle, jogging, running and rollerblading are some of the activities that regularly get the dogs excited. People who engage in these activities are at risk of being bitten. You should always try to keep a safe distance from dogs, including those that are on leashes.
When in a bicycle, not only do you have the risk of getting bitten, you also may be injured if you hit a dog as it runs in front of you. So if you know that you’re approaching a place where there are dogs around, it is best to steer away or keep a good distance between yourself and any dogs.
If you are approached by an unrestrained dog when you’re jogging, running or rollerblading, do not try to outrun it— it is probably faster than you. Just stay still until it losses interest in you.
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