HOW TO PREVENT DOG BITES

An article in the NST on 13 May - "You can stare down killer dogs" got me really worried.

This article was an interview with two supposed dog trainers who encouraged people to "stare down killer dogs" should they come across an aggressive dog.

According to these two dog trainers - "Anytime you go face to face with a dog, it will view you as a threat. When you have eye contact with them, they will be weakened"

The advice given by these two so called dog trainers to prevent dog bites is just completely ridiculous. I really believe that their advice will cause alot more people, particularly children, to be bitten by potentially aggressive dogs.

Anyone who has worked with dogs before will tell you that you do NOT face an unknown dog (or even a known dog) that is showing any sign of aggression.

Giving a dog eye contact literally tells that dog that you are challenging him. And unless you are an experienced or professional dog handler, and you know for a fact that you can overpower or dominate the dog, challenging a dog will only result in you being bitten, possibly with severe ramifications.

Any qualified canine behaviorist or even just your experienced pet owner will tell you that in such a circumstance, i.e. when faced with a dog that may potentially attack or bite, you do NOT give the dog eye contact!

By eye-balling the dog you are challenging him and effectively asking for a fight! What you really want to show the dog is that you are not a threat to him.

The UK and the US have annual dog prevention campaigns and you will find that in all their campaigns, they NEVER advocate staring a dog down. So what should you do in the event that you come across a potentially aggressive dog?

• Don't stare dogs in the eyes - dogs often feel as though you're challenging them when you make direct eye contact with them, so this should be avoided to reduce the risk of attack.
• STAND STILL - or maintain a constant slow pace while BACKING out of the dog's territory if you are withdrawing. Do not turn away from the dog.
• Never try to outrun a dog as this will provoke the dog to chase you and this can end in an attack.
• Start by slowly distancing yourself from the dog if it begins to approach you. Get something between yourself and it - for instance if you're on a bike, place the bike between you and the dog; if there is a tree post or bench, ensure they are between yourself and the dog. Once behind the object you can speak softly and gently to calm the dog.
• Do not use part of your body - e.g. an arm - to distance yourself from the dog as the dog may snap at you, causing injury.
• Keep a safe distance between yourself and dogs being walked on a lead, and always ask the owner's permission before approaching any dog.
• Be aware of areas that dogs frequent and change your route to avoid dogs which are not on leads.

What to do if a dog attacks you

• Call 999 (or ask somebody else to) as soon as it is possible to do so. 
• Do not use part of your body - e.g. an arm - to distance yourself from the dog as the dog may snap at you, causing injury.
• If you are attacked or knocked to the ground, take measures to protect your face, neck and head by curling up in a ball and putting your hands on the back of your neck. Try to be still and do not wave your arms around. By struggling with the dog, you will only increase their predatory instincts and at the same time you will cause even more injury to yourself as your flesh WILL tear. By curling into a ball and staying still you are submitting to the dog, i.e. offering peace and telling the dog that you are no threat to him. The dog should leave you alone after he has had a good sniff, or if he has bitten you, chances are that he will release you once he realises that you are no longer a threat.

I sincerely hope that the general public will take time to research dog behaviour and learn from qualified experts on the steps that can be taken to prevent dog bites, instead of just swallowing what these two so-called trainers have advocated.

Even the great Cesar Milan would not advocate staring down a dog. And I know this for a fact as I have attended his workshop on dogs in London and he advocated his simple "No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact" rule when fielded a question on dealing with a potentially aggressive dog during a private Q&A session after his workshop.

I am also re-publishing an article that has appeared on Cesar Milan's website in line with National Dog Bite Prevention Week in the US, and you will also see that Cesar's age-old rule of "No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact" is also used as a guide to prevent dog bites!

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How You Can Prevent Dog Bites 

By Joe Wilkes (extracted from Cesar's Way)

This week (May 20 to 26) is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate there are over 4.5 million dog bites in the U.S. every year and of those 800,000 require medical attention and 31,000 require reconstructive surgery. While the statistics are alarming, the good news is that most dog bites are easily preventable.

Most dog bites fall into two categories: accidental biting or aggressive biting. Accidental bites can happen while playing or during normal activity with a dog, and generally are relatively minor.

Unlike us lucky humans, dogs don’t have opposable thumbs, so if they want to catch a ball, carry a treat, or try to keep from falling off the car roof on a road trip, they’re pretty much left with their mouth to perform the task at hand. We just need to be cognizant that dogs need to use their mouths for more than just eating and keep our hands and other body parts away from the chomp zone.

Aggressive biting is usually caused when a dog is provoked. It may be because his owner has commanded him or trained him to attack. It could also be a protective instinct if the dog has somehow been made to feel threatened or feels his companion is being threatened. It’s extremely rare that a dog will attack a human without some form of provocation. But the provocation may be unintentional, which puts the burden on humans, especially when encountering a dog we don’t know.

Preventing bites from your own dog

Most dog bites occur in the home. More than likely, your best friend doesn’t mean to hurt you, but might have gotten carried away during playtime and accidentally nipped you. Other dogs, especially small ones, will nip at you for attention, and puppies may use you for teething—a bone’s a bone! Here are some tips for keeping the carnage to a minimum in your home.

1. Avoid aggressive games.

If you start a wrestling match, a tug-of-war, or even a particularly energetic game of fetch with your dog, you’re going to get what you get. Remember your dog uses his mouth to grip things, which if you’re wrestling, could mean your arm or leg. Your dog should also learn a command like “drop it” when playing fetch, so you don’t have to wrest the slimy tennis ball from his jaws, which is a good way to injure a finger.

2. Teach submissive behavior.

Your dog should be trained from an early age to give up food without growling or biting, lie on his back and expose his stomach, and other submissive behaviors. If your dog knows that you’re in charge, you’ll be able to stop any unwanted or dangerous behaviors in their tracks. 

3. Spay or neuter your dog.

Not only is this a good idea for population control, it also reduces aggression in dogs. Dogs are excitable enough right out of the box; you don’t need to add extra hormones to the mix.

4. Vaccinate your dog.

The saddest thing that can happen is if your dog becomes aggressive because it’s contracted rabies. If you haven’t seen Old Yeller, I can tell you it doesn’t end well for anyone. Visit your veterinarian regularly and make sure your dog’s vaccinations for rabies and other diseases are up to date. As your dog gets older, he can also be prone to dementia or other degenerative conditions that might cause aggressive behavior, which your vet can help you with.

5. Do not leave your dog alone with babies or small children.

You may have read Alexandra Day’s popular “Good Dog Carl” series of children’s books about the family Rottweiler being left in charge of the baby, while mom and dad go out drinking (I don’t think they actually say where they go, but it’s a reasonable guess). These merry tales of felonious parental neglect always have happy endings, but in real life leaving dogs and babies alone together can have tragic consequences.

There have been many horrible stories in the news of children being harmed or killed by a family pet. Most likely it wasn’t an attack, but the dog trying to play with the baby or imitating something he saw the parent do. We’ve seen mother dogs carry their pups by the scruff of their necks. With a baby, that could be fatal. Toddlers are also prone to poke or hit dogs or try to ride them like a horse, which could also provoke a bite. Even if you only leave the room for a minute or two, you’re inviting a dangerous situation.

Rules for Children to Avoid Dog Bites

With half of the dog bites requiring medical attention happening to children, it’s especially important to teach kids how to behave around dogs, especially strange dogs, to avoid injuries or worse.

1. Stranger danger.

As with unfamiliar people, children should not approach a strange animal. Especially if the dog is cute, a child might run up to pet it. Your child should never come up to a strange dog, especially if the dog is unaccompanied by a human. Even if the dog is with its owner, it’s a mistake to approach it, unless you clear it with the owner and get instructions on how to approach the dog.

2. Don’t run or scream.

If a strange dog approaches the child, the child shouldn’t run or scream, but stand still and stay calm. Running could make the dog think it’s a chase game and screaming could also provoke aggression. Don’t escalate any situation by giving it more energy. If the dog knocks the child down, the child should roll up in a ball and lie still.

3. Report strange behavior.

If a child sees a stray dog or a dog exhibiting strange behavior, they should tell a trusted adult immediately. Especially if the dog is behaving erratically, it might be rabid, and an adult can alert animal control. Under no circumstances should the child ever approach the dog in question.

4. Report bites to an adult.

Make sure your child reports a dog bite to you immediately. If your child thinks they will get in trouble or get the dog in trouble, they might be hesitant to let you know that they’ve been bitten. Assure your child that if they’re bitten, no matter how minor the injury, you want to know, so you can make sure they receive proper medical attention.

5. No touch, no talk, no eye contact.

Around Cesar’s Dog Psychology Center, Cesar has signs posted reminding visitors, “no touch, no talk, no eye contact.” When meeting a dog for the first time, this is the rule to remember, and for adults as well as children. Many of us watched in horror when news anchor Kyle Dyer put her hands on either side of a mastiff’s face and leaned in for a kiss and was severely bitten on live TV. What we (and especially children) think of as a friendly overture can be interpreted as provocation by a dog. Let the dog come to you, sniff you, and submit to being petted.

6. Let sleeping dogs lie.

This goes for your own dogs and strange dogs. I mean, if you wake ME up from a deep sleep, I can’t be responsible for what happens to you, and the same goes with a dog. This also applies to eating. No one likes to have their chow zone invaded. Hopefully you’ve trained your dog to be submissive when you remove his food, but to be on the safe side, if the jaws are rocking, don’t come knocking. Interfering with a dog caring for its puppies is also a way to get a warning nip. Dog bites may be a frequent occurrence, but we can make them less frequent. A little caution and common sense and we can prevent almost all dog bites from happening in the first place.

WHEN DOGS BITE

The recent stories published by The Star regarding a jogger that was apparently mauled to death by a "Pit Bull" has probably got the general public shaking with fear that they might be attacked by a dog at any time. This is a misconception that must be rectified immediately.

On Tuesday, May 8 2012, The Star published this article "Jogger Mauled to Death by Pit Bull in Subang Jaya". This was followed by this article on Wednesday, May 9 2012 ~ "Bull Terrier Kills Jogger" and on Thursday, May 10 2012 ~ "Police record statement from owner of killer dog"

I was shocked by these articles for a number of reasons. The first article was very misleading in that the dog that was supposedly a pit bull was in actual fact a Bull Terrier.The picture of the dog included in the article clearly shows this.

This can cause serious confusion among people who were not aware of dog breeds to automatically label the Bull Terrier as a Pit Bull, and therefore identifying the Bull Terrier as a killer dog, although neither the Bull Terrier or the Pit Bull or any other dog for that matter are dangerous if raised correctly.

The titles of the second and third article makes it seem as if Bull Terriers are in fact killer dogs, when in reality they really are very sweet natured dogs.

The following video by Dogs 101 give a fantastic overview of the Bull Terrier and clearly shows what a great breed this dog really is. The Bull Terrier is described as "3-year-old child in a dog suit".

The American Kennel Club describes the Bull Terrier as "playful and clownish", and goes on to say the following:

"Given his muscular build, the Bull Terrier can appear unapproachable, but he is an exceedingly friendly dog, with a sweet and fun-loving disposition"

And then the Director of the MPSJ council, Dr Roslan Mohamed Hussin was quoted as saying that MPSJ had started checking residential areas in the township for breeds that were said to be aggressive and dangerous. These breeds were apparently  the "Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanesa Tosa and American Pit Bull" and they "are predisposed to aggressive or dangerous behaviour”. ~ The Star, May 9, 2012

In a previous article on April 14 last year,  Dr Roslan said MPSJ also restricted dog owners from bringing their dogs for a walk in public places, shopping complexes, religious places, all government and private offices, government and private schools and on public transport.

With 2 super cuddly Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies ~Cameron & Lucy

While the dogs listed above generally have a bad reputation for various reasons, further research into each of these dog breeds will generally show that it is not the breed that makes these dogs "vicious" and "dangerous" but the manner in which they were raised or trained. Note that aggressive dogs are usually taught to be aggressive by humans. Hence, should we really blame the dog for being aggressive?

Additionally, restricting dogs from public places would only further exacerbate the issue of dog attacks.

If dogs are not given the regular exercise and are not socialised with humans other than their family on a regular basis, this could cause them to be restless, suspicious and even fearful of other human beings.

Getting lots of love from Jess, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Suspicious and fearful dogs usually feel the need to protect themselves and the only way they know how is to bite.

Also, dogs that are not properly socialised could have the tendency to be very protective of their owners and families.

With Custard the Rottweiler

Local councils should instead work towards promoting responsible dog ownership and also providing dog parks and dog friendly areas to enable dog owners to exercise and socialise their dogs regularly, apart from providing adequate shelter, food and protection for their dogs.

With Rosie an American Bull Dog Cross

Very often dogs that attack are abused or neglected in their own homes. These dogs are either caged or chained for long periods of time and are not given adequate exercise or human interaction. These dogs are usually incredibly frustrated and can become highly territorial. As such, if they are inadvertently let loose, they can become quite dangerous.

With Goldie a Siberian Husky

Many Malaysians, however, feel that it is perfectly acceptable to chain or cage their dogs all day and all night with little or no human interaction. The most common reason given is that they do not want the dogs to mess up their house or their compound. These dogs are treated as mere objects to "guard" their homes and are not treated as a member of the family which is crucial in shaping a dog's behaviour as dogs are pack animals.

With Sydney, a German Shepherd Cross

Local councils should ensure that dog owners are properly educated on the welfare of their animals and that their dogs are properly provided for and cared for. Owners that abuse or neglect their dogs should be heavily penalised as they are in effect creating a dangerous animal. 

With Gracie, a German Shepherd Dog

Local councils should also spend time and effort in educating the general public (not just dog owners) about dogs and how to behave around dogs. 

The public, especially children, should be taught that they should not approach and touch dogs without  getting permission from the dog's owners, and NOT to taunt or provoke dogs as this could give rise to untoward incidents.

With Sydney, the Gernan Shepherd Cross

The public should also be taught what to do should they come across a potentially aggressive dog or if a dog attacks them.

Avoiding dog attacks

The following tips may help you avoid being attacked by a dog:

• Don't stare dogs in the eyes - dogs often feel as though you're challenging them when you make direct eye contact with them, so this should be avoided to reduce the risk of attack.
• STAND STILL - or maintain a constant slow pace while BACKING out of the dog's territory if you are withdrawing. Do not turn away from the dog.
• Never try to outrun a dog as this will provoke the dog to chase you and this can end in an attack.
• Start by slowly distancing yourself from the dog if it begins to approach you. Get something between yourself and it - for instance if you're on a bike, place the bike between you and the dog; if there is a tree post or bench, ensure they are between yourself and the dog. Once behind the object you can speak softly and gently to calm the dog.
• Do not use part of your body - e.g. an arm - to distance yourself from the dog as the dog may snap at you, causing injury.
• Keep a safe distance between yourself and dogs being walked on a lead, and always ask the owner's permission before approaching any dog.
• Be aware of areas that dogs frequent and change your route to avoid dogs which are not on leads.

What to do if a dog attacks you

• Call 999 (or ask somebody else to) as soon as it is possible to do so. 
• Do not use part of your body - e.g. an arm - to distance yourself from the dog as the dog may snap at you, causing injury.
• If you are attacked or knocked to the ground, take measures to protect your face, neck and head by curling up in a ball and putting your hands on the back of your neck. Try to be still and do not wave your arms around.

The following video is a useful video to teach children what to do when a strange dog approaches them: 

By educating the public on how to behave around dogs and by providing suitable dog parks and public areas for dogs to socialise, would in my opinion be a much better method of handling issues related to dog aggression and dog attacks. 

With Kyra, an English Bull Mastiff

Having volunteered at The Mayhew Animal Home in London for about 2 years between 2008 and 2010, I have come in contact with and worked with many dog breeds that are usually taught of as aggressive or dangerous.

Previously I had always assumed that breeds such as the Rottweiler and Bull Terrier etc were vicious, aggressive and highly unpredictable dogs. My misconception was based on the fact that I had never met a well behaved, sweet natured rottweiler or bull terrier in Malaysia before. 

During my time at The Mayhew, I learnt that dogs such as the Rottweiler,  Staffordshire Bull Terrier and even Pit Bull have earned the bad reputation of being killer dogs due to the "training" or lack of it from their owners.

These breeds are naturally protective of their territory and families, therefore it is vital that they are socialised at an early age, given enough training (positive reinforcement), and leadership by their owners to prevent untoward incidents.

With Kyra (English Bull Mastiff) and Buster (Rottweiler)

According to the Dog Bite Claims UK website, the top ten most aggressive breed:

1. Dachshunds
2. Chihuahua
3. Jack Russell
4. Australian Cattle Dog
5. Cocker Spaniel
6. Beagle
7. Border Collie
8. Pit Bull Terrier
9. Great Dane
10. English Springer Spaniel

The Dachshund, otherwise known as the Sausage dog, was originally bred to hunt badgers. They came out as the most aggressive breed with 1 in 5 reported to have bitten or tried to bite a stranger and 1 in 12 snapping at their owners.

The top ten least aggressive dogs:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Rhodesian Ridgeback
3. Poodle
4. Greyhound
5. Whippet
6. Brittany Spaniel
7. Siberian Husky
8. Golden Retriever
9. Havanese
10. Portuguese water dog

These dogs also rated low for “watchdog” behaviour and “territorial defence” behaviour so they tend to make lovable family pets.

A young boy and his faithful Rottweiler at Mayhew's Sponsored Dog Day

Some dogs that have a bad image and are considered aggressive are the Boxer, Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. According to this study this is how they ranked:

• Great Dane: 9. This breed is actually very patient, gentle and affectionate. Although its size can be an issue with small children, it gets on well with children.
• Rottweilers: 15. This dog is very loyal and can be fiercely protective which may cause it to be aggressive. However, it is a hard working, powerful, devoted dog that gets on well with children if they are brought up with them.
• Boxer: 16. These dogs are actually good with children. They make good watchdogs. As they have a protective nature; they may be aggressive if they feel their owner is being threatened.
• German Shepherds (Alsatians): 17. An alert, loyal, courageous and intelligent breed. These dogs are good with children and they are very protective making them effective watchdogs.
• Mastiffs: 21. These dogs are very dignified, loyal creatures with a pleasant nature, resembling gentle giants. Their size means they can be a problem with small children, but they get on well with children.

Other dogs that are known to be aggressive include:

• Chow Chow: this is a “one person dog”. It forms a very strong bond with one person (usually the owner) and is ferocious around strangers who it considers a threat to its owner. It is a good guard dog, but it can bite without warning and they are tenacious fighters.
• Papillon: These dogs are fiercely loyal of their owners and can be very possessive, they don’t like strangers either.
• Old English Sheepdogs: Again these dogs are very protective of their owners. They are strong-willed and independent and they will nip either other animals or children.
• Lhasa Apso: These dogs can be cranky and unpredictable; they are strong-willed and independent. They were originally bred as guard dogs.
• Giant Schnauzers: They are very dominant and will challenge adults and strangers.
• Pekingese: These dogs do not like strangers and can be very aggressive towards them
• Miniature Pinschers: These are little dogs but they can be very aggressive to compensate for this.

However, every dog is different and won’t always fit its breed stereotype: just because its breed is generally considered to be gentle or sweet natured doesn’t guarantee that your dog will be the same.

With Barney, an Anatolian Shepherd Cross

Any dog can be aggressive and bite so you must make sure that you put aside the time to train it and socialize it properly so that it is more comfortable in unfamiliar circumstances and with strangers.

Before you get a dog it is worthwhile researching breeds to make sure that you choose one that is suitable for your lifestyle, i.e. it is good with children if you have any in the family, or not getting a fragile dog if you are a large family. 

So please next time you see a Bull Terrier in the street, don't automatically assume it's a "devil dog". I am also hoping that all the pictures I have shared in this post will also help in dispelling the myth that large dogs, bull breeds and other "dangerous" breeds are vicious killer dogs.

If, god forbid, there are any more stories on dogs attacking someone, have a think as to WHY it happened. It could be because these dogs have irresponsible owners who have not socialised, trained or shown correct leadership and affection to their dogs.

If handled correctly from the minute you bring them home, any dog will make a FANTASTIC pet, but in the wrong hands they may only do what they feel they must in order to protect themselves...

In the mean time, I can only hope that the DVS will conclude their investigations quickly and thoroughly, especially as they have already indicated that the bull terrier has shown no signs of aggression so far.

I am highly concerned about the poor bull terrier being kept in their pound in isolation from its family and familiar surroundings. I doubt that the dog will be given any exercise or affection. This will only serve to traumatise the dog and may result in the dog's behaviour degenerating. 

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Additional Reading:

Doggone Safe - Dog Bite Prevention Through Education

ARE ROTTWEILERS REALLY THAT AGGRESSIVE?

An report in The Star yesterday (22 Jan 2011) regarding a Rottweiler striking terror in the neighbourhood has prompted AWAM to repost the following article.

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Misconceptions of the Rottweiler

With Custard, a Rottweiler

Up until 2 years ago, I always assumed that breeds such as the Rottweiler and Bull Terriers etc were vicious, aggressive and highly unpredictable dogs. My misconception was based on the fact that I had never met a well behaved, sweet natured rottweiler or bull terrier.

However, a few months after I joined the Mayhew Animal Home in 2008, I was given the task to care for Custard, a young and fairly large Rottweiler. When Custard stands up on her hind legs, she's taller than me, so it was only natural that I was petrified!!!

But to my surprise what greeted me behind the kennel door, was a bouncy and playful Custard! She loved nothing more than getting her tummy tickled and would lick you to death if you let her. It was the first time I have ever encountered a Rottweiler that was not ready to eat me... I soon learnt that Rotties really are sweet and lovable dogs...

And this was confirmed, soon after Custard was rehomed, by another Rottweiler which I had the privilege to care for while I was at The Mayhew - Buster.

During my time at The Mayhew, I learnt that dogs such as the Rottweiler and Staffordshire Bull Terriers have earned the bad reputation of being killer dogs due to the "training" or lack of it from their owners.

These breeds are naturally protective of their territory and families, therefore it is vital that they are socialised at an early age, given enough training (positive reinforcement), and leadership by their owners to prevent untoward incidents.

With Kyra (Bull Mastiff) and Buster (Rottweiler)

According to the Dog Bite Claims UK website, the top ten most aggressive breed:

1. Dachshunds
2. Chihuahua
3. Jack Russell
4. Australian Cattle Dog
5. Cocker Spaniel
6. Beagle
7. Border Collie
8. Pit Bull Terrier
9. Great Dane
10. English Springer Spaniel

The Dachshund, otherwise known as the Sausage dog, was originally bred to hunt badgers. They came out as the most aggressive breed with 1 in 5 reported to have bitten or tried to bite a stranger and 1 in 12 snapping at their owners.

The top ten least aggressive dogs:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Rhodesian Ridgeback
3. Poodle
4. Greyhound
5. Whippet
6. Brittany Spaniel
7. Siberian Husky
8. Golden Retriever
9. Havanese
10. Portuguese water dog

These dogs also rated low for “watchdog” behaviour and “territorial defence” behaviour so they tend to make lovable family pets.

Some dogs that have a bad image and are considered aggressive are the Boxer, Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. According to this study this is how they ranked:

• Great Dane: 9. This breed is actually very patient, gentle and affectionate. Although its size can be an issue with small children, it gets on well with children.
• Rottweilers: 15. This dog is very loyal and can be fiercely protective which may cause it to be aggressive. However, it is a hard working, powerful, devoted dog that gets on well with children if they are brought up with them.
• Boxer: 16. These dogs are actually good with children. They make good watchdogs. As they have a protective nature; they may be aggressive if they feel their owner is being threatened.
• German Shepherds (Alsatians): 17. An alert, loyal, courageous and intelligent breed. These dogs are good with children and they are very protective making them effective watchdogs.
• Mastiffs: 21. These dogs are very dignified, loyal creatures with a pleasant nature, resembling gentle giants. Their size means they can be a problem with small children, but they get on well with children.

Other dogs that are known to be aggressive include:

• Chow Chow: this is a “one person dog”. It forms a very strong bond with one person (usually the owner) and is ferocious around strangers who it considers a threat to its owner. It is a good guard dog, but it can bite without warning and they are tenacious fighters.
• Papillon: These dogs are fiercely loyal of their owners and can be very possessive, they don’t like strangers either.
• Old English Sheepdogs: Again these dogs are very protective of their owners. They are strong-willed and independent and they will nip either other animals or children.
• Lhasa Apso: These dogs can be cranky and unpredictable; they are strong-willed and independent. They were originally bred as guard dogs.
• Giant Schnauzers: They are very dominant and will challenge adults and strangers.
• Pekingese: These dogs do not like strangers and can be very aggressive towards them
• Miniature Pinschers: These are little dogs but they can be very aggressive to compensate for this.

However, every dog is different and won’t always fit its breed stereotype: just because its breed is generally considered to be gentle or sweet natured doesn’t guarantee that your dog will be the same.

Any dog can be aggressive and bite so you must make sure that you put aside the time to train it and socialize it properly so that it is more comfortable in unfamiliar circumstances and with strangers.

Before you get a dog it is worthwhile researching breeds to make sure that you choose one that is suitable for your lifestyle, i.e. it is good with children if you have any in the family, or not getting a fragile dog if you are a large family.

However good a dog is said to be with children and however well behaved it you should never leave children unsupervised with a dog; often they can provoke it without meaning to and little children can be defenceless against a dog.

So please next time you see a Rottie in the street, don't automatically assume it's a "devil dog".

If, god forbid, there are any more stories on a Rottie attacking somone, have a think as to WHY it happened. It could be because these dogs have irresponsible owners who have not socialised, trained or shown correct leadership and affection to their dogs.

If handled correctly from the minute you bring them home Rottweilers make FANTASTIC pets, but in the wrong hands they may only do what they feel they must in order to protect themselves...

Addtional Reading: When the truth is mauled by misconceptions...

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Extract from The Star, 22 Jan 2011

A TYPICAL evening walk with their miniature dog on New Year’s Day turned into a nightmare for a couple when their pet was mauled by a Rottweiler.

Damansara Jaya resident Heng Aik Chong said he and his wife were at a T-junction when the owner of the house pulled up in their car and opened their automatic gate

“Before we knew it, two dogs rushed out of the house and a Rottweiler bit our dog Buddy, an eight-year-old Schnauzer,” said Heng, 45.

He said the Rottweiler would not let go of their dog, lifting it off the ground.

Heng and his wife were shouting and crying for help but the dog owners did not even come down from their car.

“It was a few minutes later a woman came out from the car and tried to pull the Rottweiler away but it held on to our dog.

“My wife was hysterical and we didn’t know what to do so we started hitting it with a stick but Rottweiler still would not let go,” he said.

He added that eventually, a youth in his early 20s came out of the house and pulled the dog away.

“We took the dog to the vet but it eventually died. My wife was distraught and she still cannot bring herself to walk around that area,” he said.

After the incident, Heng found out that Buddy was not the first dog that was killed by the Rottweiler.

Datin Ewe Swee Cheng, 57, who lives a few doors away from the family which owns the dog, said a similar incident happened in June last year.

“I have a golden retriever and I occasionally take care of my sister’s poodle. Our maid would take the dogs out for walks in the evening and on that day, my maid ran back to my house screaming for help.

“She said my sister’s poodle had been attacked by the Rottweiler and was still biting onto it. I ran over there and just like Heng’s case, a young man came out to pull the dog back into the house,” said Ewe.

She sent the 13-year-old poodle to the vet but it died the day after from the trauma.

Heng said the owners had not approached them since the incident and not even a word of apology was offered.

“Owners of dogs with this kind of vicious nature should be responsible for their pets and not let them run out from the house unleashed. So far, it has only attacked smaller dogs but there are also many children and old folks going for walks in the neighbourhood so we are concerned,” he said.

Heng said he had complained to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) but had not heard from them so far.

MBPJ councillor Tiew Way Keng said they were aware of the issue and officers had been sent to check on the dogs.

“If the owners do not have a licence, we can take the dog away. If it is licensed, we can take action against the owners and issue a compound of up to RM2,000,” she said.

Dogs Speak Out Against Dog Fighting

Dogs Speak Out Against Dog Fighting

Producers Nancy Richert and Kathy Dziubek of Animal were kind enough to help Knock Out Dog Fighting end the untold suffering of dogs in dog fighting operations. What better way to give dogs subjected to the cruelties of dog fighting a voice then to, well, give them a voice!

For more information about the award winning anti-dogfighting youth intervention program and to find out how you can help, go to www.KnockOutDogFighting.org

MARMITE the Rottweiler is looking for a forever home

AWAM has recently learned of the plight of Marmite the Rottweiler. If any of you can find it in your hearts to give Marmite a good, loving and stable home, please contact Noah's Ark at nanasmalaysia@gmail.com. 

For those of you who think that Rottweilers are aggresive and unpredictable, please see our previous posts on the Misconceptions of the Rottweiler. 

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Source: Noah's Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary

 

It was a hot sunny afternoon and a Rottweiler was brought in to the sanctuary with a bad condition.Raymund stepped out to take a look and instantly see the dismay and sadness on his face. She was skins and bones, to the extreme. The gaze in her eyes spoke of a lifeless and unhappy soul. Her head looked out of proportions as compared to her stick-thin body (we could see her ribs protruding!), and she was estimated to be barely a year old.

The father and son pair who surrendered her said she was given to them by someone else, but they themselves did not know how to take care of her. This is certainly IRRESPONSIBLE pet ownership, but on the flipside, we are glad that they did not choose to abandon her on the streets.

Raymund accepted the leash with a heavy heart, and Marmite looked up uncertainly at him. He walked her slowly through the first gate of the sanctuary into the car porch, and even though the journey was a short one, she stumbled a couple of times. Tottering about on unstable legs, she barely had any strength to walk. She wouldn’t allow anyone to touch her and growled ferociously if anyone dared to approach too closely.

Unable to move too close to offer some form of comfort, Raymund fed Marmite some food from a distance away, which she gobbled down almost instantly. As predicted, Marmite was possessive of her food, given her past encounters. Perhaps, for the first time in her life, Marmite went to sleep with a full and nourished stomach. We will never know, but sometimes, we are better off not knowing.

Oh, many of you must be wondering, why the name "Marmite". Like the savory spread available in supermarkets, Raymund named her so, as she is dark in colour, distinctive and powerful exactly like the spread. :) Additionally, she really needs all the nutrients Marmite has, to regain her health and put on sufficient weight.

Will you be kind enough to sponsor Marmite’s stay at the sanctuary? With the growing number of such cases and the saturation of welfare organizations, we need all the help we can get. Every single cent counts. If you are able to help us in any way, email us at nanasmalaysia@gmail.com. Please also stay tuned to our blog for further updates of Marmite.

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Update on Marmite.

After three months she was brought to the sanctuary, Marmite managed to gain weight with her humongous appetite. She has been showered with tender, loving and care and now she’s back on her feet. Marmite has recently received her vaccination, dewormed and her heartworm and tick fever tests are NEGATIVE. A clean bill of health has been given to her and she should be sterilized soon.

Lately she has been spotted getting attached to one of the worker who is in charge of her area. She would tag along every where that he goes. With all the special care she is getting, Marmite decided, somewhere along the way, that she knows that she has been truly blessed. Life can be fragile but the will to beat even the worst odds can inspire us all that there is still light at the end of the tunnel.

We are looking for a sweet soul who is able to give her a good home. She is more suited to be the ONLY dog in the family. Please email us at nanasmalaysia@gmail.com if you know anyone who’s interested to adopt her. Please help us spread the word around.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE ROTTWEILER

With Custard, a Rottweiler

Up until 2 years ago, I always assumed that breeds such as the Rottweiler and Bull Terriers etc were vicious, aggressive and highly unpredictable dogs. My misconception was based on the fact that I had never met a well behaved, sweet natured rottweiler or bull terrier.

However, a few months after I joined the Mayhew Animal Home in 2008, I was given the task to care for Custard, a young and fairly large Rottweiler. When Custard stands up on her hind legs, she's taller than me, so it was only natural that I was petrified!!!

But to my surprise what greeted me behind the kennel door, was a bouncy and playful Custard! She loved nothing more than getting her tummy tickled and would lick you to death if you let her. It was the first time I have ever encountered a Rottweiler that was not ready to eat me... I soon learnt that Rotties really are sweet and lovable dogs...

And this was confirmed, soon after Custard was rehomed, by another Rottweiler which I had the privilege to care for while I was at The Mayhew - Buster.

During my time at The Mayhew, I learnt that dogs such as the Rottweiler and Staffordshire Bull Terriers have earned the bad reputation of being killer dogs due to the "training" or lack of it from their owners.

These breeds are naturally protective of their territory and families, therefore it is vital that they are socialised at an early age, given enough training (positive reinforcement), and leadership by their owners to prevent untoward incidents.

With Kyra (Bull Mastiff) and Buster (Rottweiler)

According to the Dog Bite Claims UK website, the top ten most aggressive breed:

1. Dachshunds
2. Chihuahua
3. Jack Russell
4. Australian Cattle Dog
5. Cocker Spaniel
6. Beagle
7. Border Collie
8. Pit Bull Terrier
9. Great Dane
10. English Springer Spaniel

The Dachshund, otherwise known as the Sausage dog, was originally bred to hunt badgers. They came out as the most aggressive breed with 1 in 5 reported to have bitten or tried to bite a stranger and 1 in 12 snapping at their owners.

The top ten least aggressive dogs:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Rhodesian Ridgeback
3. Poodle
4. Greyhound
5. Whippet
6. Brittany Spaniel
7. Siberian Husky
8. Golden Retriever
9. Havanese
10. Portuguese water dog

These dogs also rated low for “watchdog” behaviour and “territorial defence” behaviour so they tend to make lovable family pets.

Some dogs that have a bad image and are considered aggressive are the Boxer, Bulldogs, Pit Bull Terriers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Rottweilers. According to this study this is how they ranked:

• Great Dane: 9. This breed is actually very patient, gentle and affectionate. Although its size can be an issue with small children, it gets on well with children.
• Rottweilers: 15. This dog is very loyal and can be fiercely protective which may cause it to be aggressive. However, it is a hard working, powerful, devoted dog that gets on well with children if they are brought up with them.
• Boxer: 16. These dogs are actually good with children. They make good watchdogs. As they have a protective nature; they may be aggressive if they feel their owner is being threatened.
• German Shepherds (Alsatians): 17. An alert, loyal, courageous and intelligent breed. These dogs are good with children and they are very protective making them effective watchdogs.
• Mastiffs: 21. These dogs are very dignified, loyal creatures with a pleasant nature, resembling gentle giants. Their size means they can be a problem with small children, but they get on well with children.

Other dogs that are known to be aggressive include:

• Chow Chow: this is a “one person dog”. It forms a very strong bond with one person (usually the owner) and is ferocious around strangers who it considers a threat to its owner. It is a good guard dog, but it can bite without warning and they are tenacious fighters.
• Papillon: These dogs are fiercely loyal of their owners and can be very possessive, they don’t like strangers either.
• Old English Sheepdogs: Again these dogs are very protective of their owners. They are strong-willed and independent and they will nip either other animals or children.
• Lhasa Apso: These dogs can be cranky and unpredictable; they are strong-willed and independent. They were originally bred as guard dogs.
• Giant Schnauzers: They are very dominant and will challenge adults and strangers.
• Pekingese: These dogs do not like strangers and can be very aggressive towards them
• Miniature Pinschers: These are little dogs but they can be very aggressive to compensate for this.

However, every dog is different and won’t always fit its breed stereotype: just because its breed is generally considered to be gentle or sweet natured doesn’t guarantee that your dog will be the same.

Any dog can be aggressive and bite so you must make sure that you put aside the time to train it and socialize it properly so that it is more comfortable in unfamiliar circumstances and with strangers.

Before you get a dog it is worthwhile researching breeds to make sure that you choose one that is suitable for your lifestyle, i.e. it is good with children if you have any in the family, or not getting a fragile dog if you are a large family.

However good a dog is said to be with children and however well behaved it you should never leave children unsupervised with a dog; often they can provoke it without meaning to and little children can be defenceless against a dog.

So please next time you see a Rottie in the street, don't automatically assume it's a "devil dog".

If, god forbid, there are any more stories on a Rottie attacking somone, have a think as to WHY it happened. It could be because these dogs have irresponsible owners who have not socialised, trained or shown correct leadership and affection to their dogs.

If handled correctly from the minute you bring them home Rottweilers make FANTASTIC pets, but in the wrong hands they may only do what they feel they must in order to protect themselves...

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Addtional Reading: When the truth is mauled by misconceptions...