RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP KEY TO PREVENTING DOG ATTACKS
It's a nightmare no one wants to come to life: being alone with a large, vicious dog. The fear drives some governments to prevent people from owning dogs like rottweilers and pit bulls, but banning breeds isn't the answer, according to a Kansas State University professor who studies animal behavior. Responsible ownership is.
"I think some county and city governments have decided that people just aren't responsible enough, so they prevent certain breeds that have been misused from coming in," said Janice Swanson, associate professor of animal sciences and industry at K-State. "The thing is, to target one breed and say all the dogs in that breed are dangerous is unfair. Almost any breed under the sun could develop an aggression problem. Yet you can find rottweilers, for example, that have a wonderful temperament and are great with kids."
Swanson said some dogs are born with a dominating personality. Breeds such as rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and German shepherds have been bred for guarding. Others, such as the pit bull, are popular in illegal dog fighting rings. While that doesn't mean all dogs in those breeds are vicious, pet buyers are advised to make sure they aren't buying a dog that has been bred to be aggressive.
"Dogs have served us in a lot of different capacities. There is always an opening for abuse of that," Swanson said.
Owners need to know the obligations that come with the dog they buy, and that means more than just food and immunizations, according to Swanson.
"A lot of horrible things can be prevented with people taking responsibility for the ownership of their dog," Swanson said. "Buy the right dog in the first place, commit to obedience training and then manage your dog."
Location of the home, the purpose of the dog and the presence of small children in the family are factors in choosing the right pet. A large dog may be gentle, but can still knock down young children or snap at them if harassed or scared. Dogs should not be left alone with young children, Swanson said. They should never be allowed to roam at large, yet also should not live their entire lives in a kennel.
Pets can learn good behavior through obedience class and smart oversight from the owner. Every dog should undergo obedience training, where they learn to take commands from humans, Swanson said.
"When you have a set of commands, you have a set of tools to manage your dogs," Swanson said.
Dogs evolved from wolves, which have a defined social hierarchy within their packs. Those instincts remained after the dog became domesticated.
"Dogs will look at individuals in the house as part of the pack. It's important that they know where their place is. They crave that. They are the ultimate social climbers," Swanson said.
Some animal shelters perform a temperament test in pets to determine if they are adoptable. Many animals are turned into shelters every year because of their behavior problems, she said. The problem is often that the owner bought the wrong type of dog or is ignorant of the commitment involved in training a dog to become a good citizen.
Dogs also need companionship, whether it is with another dog or the owner.
"They are highly social and desire attention. Dogs go through a childhood just like little kids do, and during that time socializing them is very important for how they behave later on," Swanson said.
The approach to take when confronted by a vicious dog varies from situation to situation, but the best cure is prevention. People who walk or bicycle around their neighborhood should scout out their routes and avoid routes where dogs run free. If the unfortunate should happen, however, and you find yourself face-to-maw with an angry dog, try to stay calm.
"If you start to run, scream and show panic and fear, that will accelerate the situation," Swanson said. "Of course, it's easy for someone to say that. It's a lot harder to do when you feel threatened."
Kansas State University veterinarian Dr. Kathy Gaughan said there are a number of things dog owners can do to keep their dog from biting someone. Her tips are available online at http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/listdogbite.html
