Dogs are highly sociable animals.  This means that they choose to live in a pack, with either other dogs or with humans.  If they only live with other dogs, they will not learn how to behave appropriately around humans, but apply dog rules to their interactions with them, which can lead to disaster.

   Dogs need socialization from the time they are born to the time they die.  This means that they need to have positive experiences with other people (e. g. strangers) and children, as well as new environments and novel stimuli.  Nowadays, even police dogs follow an extensive socialization program, so they become confident animals and only act on their handlers’ cues rather than react to a situation that they might consider threatening, even when it is not.

     Dogs also need obedience training, preferably using positive reinforcement.  It has been scientifically proven that behavior that is rewarded gets repeated.  If dogs are trained using primarily aversives and punishment, they may end up aggressive.  Every dog should at least be taught how to sit and come on cue.  A dog that sits is not jumping, a dog that comes on command will be a safer dog that you can call away from potentially dangerous situations.

     Last but not least, dogs need a benevolent human leader.  This does not mean that you should alpha-roll your dog, but that you control the resources, like food and toys, and establish rules and boundaries and keep to them consistently, so your dog can understand them.  Good leaders are not bullies!

     Of course, hormones also play a big role in canine behavior.  A male dog might roam and defend a bitch in heat from other dogs or even humans, as he wants to be the one to reproduce.  A bitch will protect her puppies if she feels they are being threatened.  So you should consider spaying or neutering your dog.  This will also help reduce the number of unwanted pets in the shelters.

     Regarding the behavior of people around loose or attacking dogs, Sue Abbs from the Humane Society of Noble County in Kendallville has already given some excellent advice on what to do when you are attacked by a dog.  Below is some more information and resources on how to prepare yourselves and your children for such a case.

     Silke Wittig, owner of HeRo Canine Consulting, LLC in Auburn, together with Cindy Spear, a former 3^rd Grade teacher at Waterloo Elementary School, offer free “Safety around Dogs” presentations to adults and children.  They have already given several talks at Waterloo and Eckhart Public Libraries, presented their program to all the classes at Waterloo Elementary School as well as to the 4^th and 5^th graders of Butler and Riverdale Elementary Schools during Student Focus on Health.  Their latest presentation was a talk to expectant mothers at Babies ‘R Us in Fort Wayne about how to prepare themselves and their cats and dogs for the new arrival.

     “Some of the information that we get from the children when we ask them what to do when attacked by a dog is downright dangerous”, Cindy Spear says.  “Some kids tell us they would run away, kick the dog, stare the dog down to show him they are not afraid, and one child even told us that his father had said to him to push his fist into the dog’s mouth!”

     When reading about the dog attack, one paragraph in one of the articles particularly caught their eye: “Alexis Skeens said her brother began petting the male dog and it jumped on him.  When Noah started crying, Alexis said, the dog began biting her brother in the face.  Alexis took Noah’s head in her arms and tried to fend off the attacking dog by kicking it.  She was bitten in the arm, after which the dog went for Noah’s head again”.

     “There are a lot of red flags here.  The advice we give people and kids when a dog runs up to them is, to ignore them and “be a tree”, says Silke Wittig. “Stand still, plant you feet, fold your arms over your chest, do not look at the dog, and don’t scream or talk to the dog.  If you have anything in your hands, throw it away from you.  The dog might go and investigate and move away from you.  If you can, walk away slowly from the dog, but make sure you do not make eye contact with the dog. Some dogs will see that as a challenge.”  Cindy Spear adds, “it is also important for parents to tell their children not to pet or interact with any dogs when there are no adults around.  And it does not matter whether they know the dogs or not.  Most often than not, the best approach is no approach at all.  ”

     Cindy and Silke also address how to greet and pet a dog appropriately and talk about dog body language during their program.  “Don’t assume that a wagging tail signifies friendliness; many dogs wag their tails from excitement, arousal or even aggression.  Kids love to hug dogs, but a wary dog may consider the act of someone putting their arm over the dog’s shoulder or neck as a display of dominance, and lash out”, states Silke Wittig. “Also never pet the dog on top of his head.  This may be taken as a sign of aggression by a dog”, adds Cindy Spear. “ Instead, pet him under his chin or on his chest, or not at all.”

    “There are a lot of excellent resources around”, Silke says. “www.arfrescuepatrol.net is a great website with lots of information for children, parents and teachers.  The AKC (American Kennel Club) will also provide free copies of a “Safety Around Dogs” video and other wonderful handouts and brochures, like “Best Friends Teaching Kit” to schools and libraries.  You can order them on www.akc.org.”  If you are interested in a free “Safety around Dogs” presentation, please contact Cindy at 260- 341-3426 or Silke at 574-612 8170.

     HeRo Canine Consulting LLC has also donated a copy of the book “Family Friendly Dog Training – a 6-Week Program for You and your Dog” by Patricia McConnell and Aimee Moore to the libraries in this area.  “We noticed that there are many out-dated books on dog training in the libraries, which promote harsh training methods like alpha rolls and leash pops.  This newly-published book is based on current scientific studies and offers easy, kind and effective ways to train your dog.  It addresses important basic obedience training issues like watch, sit, come, lie down, four on the floor, stay, heel, and leave it”, Silke Wittig says.