Take a bite out of bites
The days are getting longer. The weather getting warmer. That must mean one thing: It's Dog Bite Prevention Week.
I was once bitten by a very big and very mean dog. I was a kid and the thing chomped out a piece of my belly.
The problem hasn't gotten any better since I was six years old, said Katie Casey of the World Wide Pet Industry Association.
"It's an epidemic," she said.
There were 5 million dog bites last year, Casey said.
And the South Bay gets more than its share. A couple of years ago, I wrote a story about it and found out that the South Bay ranks in the Top 10 of dog bite areas.
The reason probably has something to do with the weather, Madeline Bernstein told me at the time. Bernstein is the president of the Los Angeles branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
"Even if you have as many dogs in a colder climate, they may not be out as many days of the year," she told me at the time. "And of course, when you leave a dog outside, it becomes unsocialized and tends to become aggressive."
Socialization is the key, Casey said. Introduce your young dog to people and other animals.
"You should take it out in the neighborhood," she said. "Training is an important investment. Dogs that are trained know how to properly interact."
And here's something interesting: Pit bulls don't bite more than other breeds, she said. It's all in how they are raised.
Casey offered some tips, which I offer after the jump.
How to Prevent Dog Bites
· Ask Before you Pet: Always ask pet owners before petting their dogs. Some dogs may not be properly socialized and may bite if a stranger pets them.
· Be Cautious: Avoid petting a dog if his hair is standing up. This usually is a sign the dog is angry or irritable and will not want to be touched.
· Manner Matters: Do not approach a dog from behind or make loud or abrupt movements when approaching it. Dogs do not like to be taken by surprise, especially by strangers.
· Use Common Sense: Stay away from dogs while they are eating or sleeping as they may be caught by surprise or become territorial.
· Educate Your Children: Most victims who require medical attention from dog bites are children and half of them have received bites to the face. To avoid a potentially deadly bite, teach your children the tips mentioned above and supervise their behavior around unfamiliar dogs.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Biting Others:
· Socialization: To have a dog that behaves itself in public, it is important to socialize your dog at an early age by exposing it to other people and animals.
· Training: Training for your dog is an important investment to make. Dogs that are trained are less likely to bite and learn how to behave properly. It is important that dog owners go through the training process with their dogs so they can continue to train them after the initial sessions.
· Practice Responsible Pet Care: For the safety of others, ensure your animal is properly vaccinated. Never teach your dog to attack or to chase others because he may get confused as to when this kind of behavior is appropriate. If your dog ever exhibits violent behavior, take him to training courses immediately.
· Use Discretion: If you are not sure how your dog will respond to a particular situation, leave him at home or keep him separated from guests who are visiting your home.
About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
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