How To Prevent A Dog Bite

Dog breeds in general have similar characteristics. Some dog breeds are more likely to kill than others and some breeds are more protective of their masters and physical surrounding than others. There has been a 20 year study to determine which dog breeds are more likely to actually kill human beings. This United States study was done for the years 1979 through 1998.

This study tracks 238 human deaths from dog attacks during a 20 year period. 24% of these attacks involved unrestrained dogs off their owners property. 58% of the deaths involved unrestrained dogs on their owners property. 17% involved restrained dogs on their owners property and less than 1% involved a restrained dog off the owners property.

Some of the conclusions of the study are not suprising. Yes, certain breeds are more likely to kill than others. Yes, deaths from dog attack are quite rare. Also it is sometimes difficult to determine the actual breed of a dog. Communities who try to ban specific dog breeds for public safety will find it difficult to define the parameters of what constitutes that breed.

Several factors interact with the dog to enhance the possibility of a human being attacked by a dog besides the breed of the dog. These factors include heredity, sex, early experience, socialization, training, health, reprodcutive status, quality of ownership and victum behavior. Additionally, this study did not look at intervening variable such as was the dog protecting his owner from serious harm or death or was the dog actually protecting himself from serious harm or death.

Male dogs are 6.2 times more likely to bite then female dogs. Sexually intact dogs,both male and female, are 2.6 more times likely to bite than neutered dogs and chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite then unchained dogs.

One suprising conclusion of several studies is the fact that many varieties of dogs have been involved in a fatal human attack for one reason or another. Topping the list of deaths by dog in a twenty year period is the Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix at 66 human deaths. The Rottweiler and Rottweiler mix was responsibe for 39 human deaths. The German Shepherd dog and mix were responsible for 17 human deaths. The Husky type dog was responsible for 15 human deaths as was the Malamute responsible for 12 human deaths. The Chow Chow was responsible for 8 deaths while the Doberman was responsible for 9 human deaths. The Saint Bernard was responsible for 7 human deaths and the Great Dane was also responsible for 7 deaths. The Akita killed 4 people, the Bulldog 2, the Mastiff 2, the Boxer 2 and believe it or not the Labrador Retriever was responsible for 1 death while Lab mixes were responsible for 4 deaths. The following dogs were responsible for killing one human each during these twenty years: The Bullmastiff, Cheasapeake Bay Retriever, West Highland Terrier, Japanese Hunting Dog, Newfoundland, Coonhound, Sheepdog, Rhodesian Ridgeback and cocker Spaniel.

The conclusion that I make from this study is that almost any dog of size can be dangerous, particularly to children. Dogs must be properly trained, supervised, and care must be taken when choosing a breed with the propensity to be aggressive. Most important, keep young children away from male, sexually intact, chained dogs.

Below 40 Degrees Outside - Bring Your Pets In!

Care for your pets in cold weather just as you care for yourself. They depend on you to be sensitive to their needs and health. Animals left outside when temperatures fall below 40 degrees are not only subject to hypothermia, but they can even die.

Here are some tips to help make your animal companions more comfortable and safe during winter’s cold days and nights.

Keep your pets indoors, even if they have an enclosed cage or doghouse outside. Short-hair dogs and puppies are especially susceptible to frigid temperatures. An unheated garage or basement isn’t always the solution. Use a thermometer to determine if the temperature is consistently above 40 degrees.

If for some reason you are unable to bring your dog indoors, check their outdoor sleeping quarters for the following necessities. Doghouses should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in and to allow for sleeping in a curled position, but it should not be too large. A large doghouse allows too much of the animal’s body heat to escape. The floor of the house should be raised a few inches off the ground and dry fresh bedding should be spread inside. Cedar shavings are the best if you don’t have a heated bed or mat. When using a heated mat, be sure it doesn’t cover the entire floor of the house to allow the dog to choose the degree of warmth needed. A flap of carpet over the opening will help hold in the heat.

Heated water bowls not only keep the water from freezing, but the warm water also helps to keep the core temperature of the animal’s body warmer.

Conduct regular ’paw checks’ for dogs brought in from outdoors. Be sure to clean away snow or ice from between toes and dry the paw pads thoroughly. Moisture, salt and other de-icers from sidewalks or roads can become trapped between the animal’s toes and cause sores or irritation to the point of bleeding.

Car engines provide a warm, inviting sleeping place for cats left out in the cold or in a garage, but serious injuries can be caused by the fan belt when the car is started. Be sure to tap loudly on the car hood or honk the horn before starting your car. Of course, cats are just as susceptible to frigid temperatures as dogs, so the best plan is to bring them indoors for the winter. There are heated beds and mats specifically for cats if they must be left in a cold garage or basement.

Antifreeze tastes sweet and delicious to your pet, but it is a deadly poison. Clean up any radiator drainage spots with water immediately. Ask for brands of antifreeze that are now safer for pets and more environmentally sound.

Frequent brushing of indoor pets is even more important in winter to remove dead skin and hair and help stimulate the animal’s oil glands. Low humidity can lead to dry, itchy skin and increased shedding.

Bottom line - use common sense when caring for your pets. Their life is in your hands.

How A Good Pet Care Guide Keeps The Vet Away

Just like human beings, animals have emotions and feelings too. They need the assurance that their masters love and care for them. In return, pets often reciprocate their love by demonstrating various forms of affection to their owners. These may include making soft purring sounds, licking and even body contacts like rubbing their heads or furs against them.

Pet care is an important responsibility of pet ownership. Pet care requires a lot of patience and is also a way of showing the animals that they are important to us. Pet care will include feeding our pets carefully and ensure that they are groomed properly to maintain a good health.

There are educational videos on pet care, that is, how to maintain the wellness and health of pets. These include various demonstrations on how to care for the different types of pets and what are the attentions required.

For four-legged pets such as dogs and cats, good pet care will include giving them regular baths, checking their paws and ears, trimming their nails as well as fixing regular health checks with a professional veterinarian.

Sanitation plays an important role to the health of the pets and their owners. Bathe your pets regularly and ensure that they are clean at all times. Buy a set of dishes especially for the pets and keep them separately from those used by human beings. After every use, wash the pets’ dishes thoroughly with soap and water, then give them a final rinse them with boiling water.

It is common for pets, especially dogs, to have fleas. Their bites are irritating and annoying; and make the pets feel uncomfortable if the scratching developed into skin rashes. Fleas are also the cause of other more dangerous and serious skin problems such as allergies or dermatitis. As such, good pet care will include conducting regular checks on the animals and getting rid of the fleas.

Dental care is another essential part of pet care. Most canine pets need to maintain a proper dental healthcare routine. A professional pet shop owner will be able to demonstrate the correct way to brush the animals’ teeth. This will prevent gum diseases or other health conditions related to poor oral hygiene.

Products such as detergents, cleaners, fertilizers and pesticides, must be kept well out of the way in the house. These contain chemicals that may be lethal or poisonous to animals and should not be within their reach. This is another way to exercise proper pet care.

Every pet owner, especially those first time owners, should be prepared for the big responsibility of having and owning a pet, as pet care takes more than just skills and experience. Value the existence of nature’s creations and ensure that the animals are given the best pet care. Lastly, always choose the best pet products and supplies so that your pet will have the best nutrition and pet care available.