The Dog is Biting

Annually, in the US:

• 4.7 million dog bites.
• 800,000 require medical attention.
• 386,000 require an ER visit.

There are 4.7 million warnings. There should be 4.7 million people seeking behavior help from qualified, experienced professionals.

This breaks down to something like 94,000 owners needing help per state, each year. I guess that does explain why it seems like I have SO much work to do.

However, I notice that this number is roughly the number of pets submitted to shelters. Although behavior is not given as the #1 reason for surrender, it is very possible that the owners don't realize that the behavior is a problem, or they don't want to admit it.

But it IS a problem.

By choosing to care for a dog, you have an ethical obligation to keep those who didn't choose that dog safe from the consequences of your choice. You may think it's cute, or funny, or macho that the dog bites but, according to the CDC, it's children ages 5-9 who are most at risk of dog-bite injury. Your denial is a choice to put those children at risk.

No dog can go its entire life without encountering children. If it does, what kind of a life are you providing for a curious, sentient creature who lives to explore and learn?

Animal lovers are often inclined to mold the world around the needs of their dogs. Instead of addressing their dog's behavior by consulting a professional, and getting specific assistance, they ask all manner of strange behavior from their houseguests.

They use band-aid solutions. Like the famed bizzy bee of "Best In Show" fame, these "solutions" are only a vehicle to mask and continue to deny the existence of a problem.

• Your dog should NOT bark at things going past your window for more than 3 barks.
• Your dog should not be a maniac in the car.
• Your dog should sit politely in the car.
• Your dog should not bite at the crate door and pull on it.
• Your dog should be calm in the crate.
• Your dog should not sprint everywhere it goes.
• Your dog should have moments of self-controlled body language.
• Your dog should not shiver when going out and about.
• Your dog should not lunge at or sprint from other dogs you encounter.
• Your dog should be able to be approached by children & tolerate one physical touch.
• You should not feel worried or stressed about your dog's behavior.

These are warning signs that arise even before the first bite.

"Normal" dog behavior has become such a rarity in this country that people have begun to believe that what they typically see defines normal behavior.

I think it's unfortunate that explaining the warning signs is perceived as professionals over-dramatizing the situation to increase business. The doctor explaining how to prevent and address possible health issues is not perceived this way!

If the warning signs were acted upon intelligently and responsibly, by finding a professional-- well, knowledge is knowledge! Improving your understanding of canine body language, behavior, and learning will result in better behavior from all canines you encounter for the rest of your life! If the word gets out -- hey, this is how dogs talk, this is how they feel, this is how they think -- here is how to use that effectively to get human-appropriate behavior -- those 4.7 million reported bites could be significantly reduced.

Who benefits? 5-9 year old children.

What are you waiting for? Go get some help! Spread the word! "Humane" is kindness to both species.