Interesting.

[britishbandit]

I was watching a show on dogs today (no idea what it was called though), but what was being said was quite interesting.

It was about teaching kids mostly (but adults too) how to read the body language of a dog and how to act/react if they approach or are confronted by a strange dog. There was a very good point made during all of it. You could ask a classroom full of kids, "What would you do if your clothes caught on fire?", and likely the entire class would erupt in unison, "Stop, Drop and Roll". But ask "How can you tell when a dog is being aggressive?" (or any question about safety education involving dogs), the majority of the class would be dumbfounded, and have no idea. Not that fire safety isn't important, but how many children catch on fire, compared to the amount of children bitten by dogs? According to the statistics they had (no idea how accurate they are), 90% of children under the age of ten have experienced a dog bite, either minor or severe. I just found it interesting that fire safety education is pretty much a given to be taught in every school, yet dog safety is so easily overlooked, or not even thought of. In my grade school, we even had a lecture on "Tornado Safety", and yet I've never once seen a tornado in my area and I've lived here for 16 years.

I thought the show was very well done, and it's driving me batty that I don't remember what it was called. It's probably the first in depth show on the subject I've seen, and glad to see the word is getting out. I know some staff and volunteers of humane societies and rescues get out and give lectures on it, but I've never actually seen or heard from anyone around my area that it has actually been done. By the way people approach and react to dogs around here, I doubt it has. Sure wasn't done when I was in school, but I totally think it should be. When I filled out my application to volunteer at my local HS, I checked off that I'd be willing to help out and do lectures, not once ever getting a call to do so though.

So I find myself informing kids and adults when I'm out and about walking the dogs, specifically if they approach my dogs in a way that could freak a dog out, or if they haven't asked me if it's ok. I'm not mean about it or anything like that, I just think it's valuable information that hopefully will get passed on beyond the people I actually tell.

[CdnRottieMom]

This is the type of therapy dog training that I want to eventually get Neyla into. She has a great love and patience for children that just amazes me. Though I've never seen this type of lecture done in schools. I think all children should know how to react when confronted with a strange dog. Most children out of fear will stare a dog in the eyes. I've told my kids, if they are not on their bike to place the bike between them and the dog, then take your hands, cover your eyes, and very slowly back up away from the dog. When I was looking at St. John's Ambulance for therapy dogs, I noticed this was one of the types of therapy volunteering they offer. The only thing is, you dog has to be 2 years of age or older.

[Cassiepeia]

I've told my father (a teacher...now retired) for years that dog safety should be taught in schools. Preferably throughout primary school (Kinder - yr6) and there should be a refresher course/lecture in highschool, maybe around yr9 (I'm using Australian school years of course).
It's so important I'm at a loss as to why it isn't already a part of normal schooling.
I also think that animal husbandry (for domestic pets) should be a mandatory part of it too. So many people have no clue about how to look after pets yet nearly everyone has them. It's a terrible fact that people just don't do the research before getting one. Since the life on the animal is at stake here (meaning welfare more than the fact its life could be in danger...although it could be), I think it's extremely important.

Sorry for the long reply...I agree with you, is what I'm saying. I'm glad you try to educate people around you, I hope most (if not all) dog people do that. We need to get it into people's heads that dogs aren't people and they aren't all Labradors.

Cass.

[Ritz459]

We need to get it into people's heads that dogs aren't people and they aren't all Labradors.

Amen! And that just because a dog looks like a Labrador, that doesn't mean it will act like one (*cough* Rose! *cough*) or that it is friendly.

I think it would be excellent to have a program like that in a school.

So I find myself informing kids and adults when I'm out and about walking the dogs, specifically if they approach my dogs in a way that could freak a dog out, or if they haven't asked me if it's ok. I'm not mean about it or anything like that, I just think it's valuable information that hopefully will get passed on beyond the people I actually tell.

I do this as well. I especially trying to beat it into the heads of my younger siblings. I loved it when my younger brother and I petsat our neighbors extreamly fear aggressive dog, because I was able to show him how to react to that kind of dog, what her behavior was and why, and how he was triggering that behavior. (And I like Pretty as well, so that was a bonus. )
When he walked up to her kennel head on, standing straight up, and making eye contact with her (proper human greeting), Pretty ran and hid in her doghouse and started growling. But when he turned sideways, crouched down, averted his head, and started speaking softly to her, she hesitantly came out and wanted attention.

Rose is a shy dog as well, and I don't know how many times I have to tell people to please not lean over her and pet her on the head, as this will scare her. They look at me with a sort of, "Huh? But that is how you pet dogs" expression on their face.

Dog saftey would be a wonderful thing to be taught in schools. I think it would lessen the number of bites. And also, it would probably make some adults shape up too...because how wants to be told why a dog is behaving the way it is by someone 30 years younger? I know my parents don't like it. LOL

I did a thirty minute demo speech on dog training and you would have had no idea how many people didn't even know how to teach a dog to sit properly. When I was putting Blackie through his paces and he was heeling, staying in one spot as I walked around the room, and doing is "competitive" come, I think all jaws dropped. LOL

Generally, when people are ignorant about training, they are also ignorant about dog body language and behavior. The two go hand in hand.

[Cassiepeia]

...you would have had no idea how many people didn't even know how to teach a dog to sit properly.

Oh my gods, I know! Isn't it surprising? That's probably the easiest thing to teach a dog (or cat ) and it's mind boggling how many people can't do it. I remember visiting my cousin and her family once (she's older than me with four kids) and they had a young dog in the yard (where it stayed) and I went out back with the kids to play with it and noticed it was INSANE!!! LOL So decided to just spend time with it and teach it to sit nicely. Well, he learned sit in a couple of minutes and my cousins kids were shouting at her to come out because I was (OMG!) training the dog. They had no idea the dog could even learn to sit in the first place.
And this was a pigdog breed too, not a lab. You'd think they'd wanna keep him under control.

Generally, when people are ignorant about training, they are also ignorant about dog body language and behavior. The two go hand in hand.

So very true.

So should we add basic dog obedience and clicker training (yes, I'm getting paid per mention ) to the course in schools?

Cass.

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by Ritz459

you would have had no idea how many people didn't even know how to teach a dog to sit properly.

My parent's Westie is 2 years old now and still does not sit on command consistantly. I find it so strange that my mum is scared of my dogs, sure they're big, but so much better behaved and controlled than her little one. Maggie and PJ are close to the same age (couple of months difference), Maggie knows sit and gimme paw (when she feels like it), compared to almost the close to 20 commands PJ knows, and does do consistantly. I've even offered to help them train Maggie, but in their eyes, she's small a dog, and doesn't need to know anything else.

You know what I just thought would be a really good idea. *light bulb...biiinngg* I assume every grade school has kids doing speeches. So why not help our GP young uns and our own kids out with gearing their speeches to dog saftey (and other dog related issues).

[Sweetpea]

We had a trainer come in last year at my school. She talked to the kids about pets. The responsibilities of owning a pet, how to greet dogs and training dogs. I was really amazed that not many kids new much about dogs or any other animal. I think most trainers don't like to go to schools because of insurance issues. I'm going to look into having someone come in again this year. Maybe even my trainer from agility. The kids would be amazed. Maybe I could even get Emma in on it.

[Rivsky]

My nephew is 5 and I had to unexpectedly pick him up from school one day and had River with me so I took him with me instead of getting leaving River in the car and I was absolutely gobsmacked at not only how many kids didn't know how to approach a dog - there were ones yelling and running towards him with arms going everywhere (needless to say I kept them well away) and ones that would come and try to pat him without asking (I absolutely hate that!!)

But the worst part was the amount of parents there that would grab their kids and lead them in a 20 metre arc around us so their kids didn't get too close - and I was holding him (so he didn't get trampled by kids). The worst part are these are the kids who when you are out with your dogs are the ones that will sprint away from the dogs shrieking their heads off If schools don't teach them how to act appropriately around dogs no one will - because it's quite obvious that the parents don't know enough to teach them either - instead they just pass down their own fears

[britishbandit]

Originally Posted by Rivsky

But the worst part was the amount of parents there that would grab their kids and lead them in a 20 metre arc around us so their kids didn't get too close - and I was holding him (so he didn't get trampled by kids). The worst part are these are the kids who when you are out with your dogs are the ones that will sprint away from the dogs shrieking their heads off If schools don't teach them how to act appropriately around dogs no one will - because it's quite obvious that the parents don't know enough to teach them either - instead they just pass down their own fears

Very good points. And I couldn't agree more.

[CdnRottieMom]

Every year around January, my oldest son has to do a speech. Finding a topic that is unique and gathering enough information always seems to be a pain. For this years speech, I mentioned to him that he should do it on "BSL and why this doesn't work and dog safety". His teacher was impressed by his topic choice, though he got a "B" on it because he was nervous and went over the 5 minute presentation limit.

[Doglover1988]

I completly agree that children should learn at an early age about dog safety. My first dog was named Penny a golden retriever german shepherd mix and my parents got her for me when I was 5 years old big mistake. She turned into an aggressive dog just because I didn't know how to handle her. I constantly would either run from her or stare her right in the eyes. I can't believe i'm still alive. I never attacked but I was bitten a few times. Needless to say my dad gave her away and I didn't get another dog until I was 14 and could actually handle it properly.

I also constantly find myself at petsmart with kids just running up and roughly patting my dogs on the head/body without even asking. I will tell them it isn't a good idea to just run up and pet strange dogs without asking the owner and tell them the proper way to approach a strange dog.