Dog Bites Worse than Their Bark!
Dog bites worse than their bark! When I was a kid we owned dogs. Quality owners not. Our Heinz 57 collection of mixed breed scavengers were highly transient since we had no fences and easy access to Interstate 5 in North Seattle--unfortunately, conditions that reduced dog life expectancies. Missing dogs back then were just that: missing dogs. There was no internet or web sites devoted to reuniting owners with their furry steed. They were either roadkill or had immigrated to new neighborhoods.
And we continued to perpetuate that dynamic by adopting every stray that wandered onto our property. Though we weren’t affluent by any stretch, back then there was little call for pet expenditures. Table scraps instead of freshly ground human-quality food. Never a single vet appointment. No pet health insurance. Few daycares. So for us kids they were affordable and loving new acquaintances which we cherished long before video games ever became a thing.
I still recall a pregnant Keeshond we had adopted who was giving birth in my brother’s bedroom while our parents were at work. Delivering her last pup, the poor baby became stuck in the mom’s birth canal, hogtied by the umbilical cord, struggling. I was probably ten years old and had little experience as a mid-wife to a Dutch fur puff named Lady.
Frightened, afraid the pup would within seconds perish from lack of oxygen, I did what I imagined the telephone operator would tell me to do (this was prior to 911 service). I buried my head between Lady’s legs, hurriedly locking my teeth onto the stubborn umbilical cord and began to chew like a human hamster, helping the pup escape this messy entry into his new world! I imagine he went on to live a healthy life.
But I never shared that story with anyone because I was immediately overcome by embarrassed uncertainty. I probably would have been better served finding a pair of scissors and performing my surgical intervention in that manner instead. But if nothing else, I think I displayed--albeit in stealth--my affinity for canines early in my life. An act of heroism I would not have performed if I had been of sound mind and body. Temporary insanity!
And that same Lady has provided our family lifelong folklore fueled by tears of hilarity. Cousin Joe, 18 years old and driving a new Camaro--which only a rich man’s son could afford--wasn’t much of a canine aficionado. So when I invited him into the house to see the pups, I hadn’t envisioned the debacle about to unfold. The moment my cousin entered the room, Lady turned her head and eyed the alabaster-skinned intruder with ferocious disdain that evolved into full-throated offense as she leapt from the bed of pups, teeth wet and bare, neck hair bristled and began her chase of Joe blue jeans. Specifically, after his pimpled ass.
We lived in an elfin 1,500 sq-foot house so not much room to be on the lam. But we had a circular round-about from hall to kitchen and then back to hall that my cousin orbited a half dozen times, his hands swatting away the snarling snout at his ass as he repeatedly swore: “Oh s**t, oh s**!” running faster than a four-minute miler!
Had I possessed the internal governor and fortitude to rein in my uncontrollable laughter, I might have been physically capable of joining this fray, pulling the raging mama aside and rescuing my cousin from a trip to the Swedish ER. But with entertainment scarce in our hardscrabble neighborhood, I just couldn’t drop the curtain on this family slapstick!
And in a sudden epiphany cousin Joe concluded that his only certain getaway was an immediate detour to the right, crashing our open screen door with a clamor into the door jam. Fortunately for him, once Lady figured Joe was off her property, then he was also erased from her mind. She came to an abrupt stop in the open doorway and surveilled with a doggy grin as Joe furiously pounded down the oiled-gravel roadway with bubbling fear still nipping at his retreating ass. Proudly Lady returned to her brood of pups, victorious in her motherhood, prepared to feed.
While that was all in good humor, I’m the first to admit there’s nothing funny about a dog bite. It is estimated more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year in the United States—and at least half of the 800,000 people who receive medical care for dog bites each year are children. And as founder/owner of Sasha’s Pet Resort for six years now, I can attest to what a fundamental concern this is.
While most of Sasha’s business is drop-off and pick-up, we do have some customers enter inside to our first front gate (we actually have one front door and two entry gates to better Alcatraz-escape proof Sasha’s). Sometimes children accompany them. And it is at this point you need to declare—either written or orally—that your facility is not a petting zoo. And it’s easy on occasion to slip into thinking that’s okay. Most dogs adore attention and friendship and will plead with those hurtful big brown eyes for a quick rub of their mane. Instead of a petting zoo we have installed a much-needed chain-link dog run where there is a row of wicker furniture in which adolescent children from local art classes can sit and sketch. While petting is not allowed, drawing all day is approved.
Here are ten things as a doggy daycare or kennel owner that you may find helpful in reducing the number of dog bites and lawsuits:
1. Children and their parents should be reminded to request permission before petting a dog. When encountering a dog you do not know, refrain from immediately reaching out to pet it. Instead, ask the dog's owner if interaction is allowed. Approaching without permission may cause discomfort for the dog and could result in defensive behavior.
2. Once permission to pet a dog has been granted, present your closed hand for the dog to sniff. Afterward, it is appropriate to gently pet the dog's shoulders or chest. It is advisable to avoid touching the top of the dog's head.
3. Avoid interacting with a dog that is sleeping, eating, or chewing a toy. Giving the animal space reduces the likelihood of defensive reactions such as biting.
4. It is advisable to avoid dogs that are barking or growling. Additionally, it is recommended to keep distance from dogs that are loose, behind a fence, or tied up.
5. If an unknown dog comes near, remain calm and do not run.
6. To prevent biting, gently pet your dog on the chest, belly, or behind the ears and redirect with a toy. Massaging acupressure points, such as between the eyes, may also help calm your dog, according to Whole Dog Journal.
7. Pay attention to a dog's body language to prevent bites. Signs like tension, a tucked tail, or looking away mean the dog feels uncomfortable. Make sure children don't approach dogs when they're stressed to avoid injury.
8. It is recommended to feed resource-guarding dogs separately from other pets and family members. Toys should be managed and not left out, as they might become a source of conflict. For some dogs, these items are valued possessions.
9. Barrier reactivity is a behavior that resembles resource-guarding, but occurs when a dog responds to others while separated by a physical barrier. Some dogs may be comfortable interacting with people or other dogs without a barrier, but reaching over a fence to pet them can pose risks for both children and adults, as these dogs may attempt to protect what they perceive as theirs.
10. Breeds often cited as being most likely to bite include Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds, due to their strength, protective instincts, and the severity of their bites. However, many factors besides breed, such as training, socialization, and individual temperament, influence a dog's behavior. Factors like the dog's history of abuse and mistreatment can play a large role in aggression, and any dog, regardless of breed, can bite.
To learn more about Sasha’s and its canine kingdom, visit Sasha’s Blog at https://store.sashaspr.com/blogs/news
About ASPCA® (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®
The ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) has been at the forefront of animal rescue and protection since our founding as the first animal welfare organization in North America in 1866. For more than 150 years, they have been the leading voice in animal welfare, bringing the critical protection of animals to the forefront of society.
They’ve led the way in fighting cruelty, rescuing and securing adoptions for animals in need, and driving significant legislative change that protects their lives and welfare — ultimately transforming how Americans value and care for animals.
About Sasha’s Pet Resort
Sasha’s Pet Resort, a well-established name in the Pacific Northwest’s pet care industry, is embarking on an exciting new chapter designed to build resilience and foster growth in an evolving marketplace. Recognizing the shifting landscape of pet ownership and business operations post-pandemic, the company is evolving an ambitious e-commerce platform that promises to bring the latest innovations in pet care directly to industry professionals.
To help prevent dog bites, investigate our dog enclosures! For more information visit store.sashaspr.com or email danm@sashaspr.com