14/04/2025
The majority of my workload is providing safe handling training to the dog industry and working with dogs with serious behavior issues. Every year I do a post coinciding with the USA’s Dog Bite Prevention Week (as Australia has no equivalent week). I try to keep my post topical including current issues I see in the community and in the dog industry.
Over the last 12 months I have seen the dangerous rise of the fallacy that is “fear free”, “stress free” or “force free” handling in lieu of conditioning dogs to be effectively and safely handled during potentially aversive situations. This has been to the detriment of the dogs, the safety of dog industry staff and the greater community. Yes, attempting to reduce a dogs’ stress levels should be attempted by all industry professionals; it’s better for the dog and makes for a safer workplace. But methods employed to reduce stress should never be at the expense of workplace health and safety or community safety.
This year, I’ve been on the road 5 of the last seven weeks from the Fraser Coast down and around to Adelaide, working with Council AMOs and shelter staff. I saw the infiltration of the RSPCA’s “fear free” handling in a certain Council pound. I met with disgruntled former employees of “fear free” shelters who had left due to unsafe procedures.
Last year I saw first hand the results of a shelter employing sub-standard handling, training and management techniques in a supposed attempt to reduce stress levels of a dog. This was to the detriment of staff/community safety, and harboured conflict in the dog. What is even more disturbing is one of Australia’s “leading” veterinary behaviourists endorsed the handling, training and management of the dog as being in line with “recommended procedures”. This is despite a number of incidents in the shelter and the dog attacking a member of the community causing severe injuries. This is “stress free” methodology at its worst!
THOSE “RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES” DO NOT MAKE FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY!
Here’s my take for a safer community in 2025.
Understand there are no “absolutes” when dealing with dogs. Every situation will be different. For every rule I state, there may/will be an exception. Always err on the side of caution!
What Can you do to Minimise Risk?
• Avoid Potentially Dangerous Situations. Prevention is better than cure; if you don’t know the dog, err on the side of caution and leave it alone!
• Familiarise yourself with bite prevention protocols from reputable industry sources. Attend a community dog safety talk put on by Council or local trainers.
• Teach your children appropriate interactions with the family pets (and/or that of friends and relatives). Know the warning signs if your dog is uncomfortable with your child.
• Teach your dog appropriate interactions with people (especially children) and establish boundaries.
The highest instance of dog bite occurs with dogs known to the victim; dogs in the same household, friends or neighbours dogs. These incidents are avoidable. Unfortunately many of these bites are on children. I have seen many relationships between family and friends turn sour resultant of dog bite
There is a dangerous view by many in the community that the cute puppy or dog being walked in the street or park is there for their enjoyment and they should be able to pet the dog. Equally, many dog owners believe unknown people petting there dog is good socialisation; even when the dog is clearly uncomfortable with the interaction. Please understand, a large percentage of dogs do not enjoy interactions from unknown people and forcing these interactions can lead to aggression issues.
What Should you do if you Find Yourself in a Potentially Dangerous Situation?
• Turn and face the dog
• Do not look the dog in the eyes but have the dog in your peripheral vision (you need to react immediately if that dog engages you).
• Look for articles to use as a physical barrier if the dog was to attack (a wheelie bin, a fallen tree branch, articles of clothing you may have on your person etc.)
• If you are with a child (or dog) put the child behind you; block the line of sight to the dog.
• Back slowly away, dragging your feet to check for trip hazards, while keeping the dog in your peripheral vision.
• Get to safety (behind a gate, in your car etc)
The above technique will get you safe from the vast majority of situations with a potentially aggressive dog. Most dog attacks on people are fear related; if you can remove the fear from the dog (you), the dog is unlikely to bite you.
What Should I do if Attack is Imminent?
• Stop, remain perfectly still. A dog is less likely to bite a still, non-threatening target.
• Prepare to defend yourself with a physical barrier if available (a wheelie bin, article of clothing or the like).
• If the dog continues to advance, keep the barrier (if available) between you and the dog.
• If you do not have a barrier, attempt to clear a path for the advancing dog (step to the side). Keep your hands and arms clear of the dog.
• Most dog attacks on people are a single bite or last a short duration. If bitten, it is likely to be a superficial injury (I will not delve into what should be done if the attack is sustained. I believe this needs to be done in face to face instruction because of the many variables involved in a sustained attack).
What Methods are the Safest, What are Less Safe, What are Dangerous?
• The safest way of dealing with dog aggression is by employing risk minimising strategies, as mentioned above, then by way of a physical barrier if dog attack is imminent. All other methods have a higher element of risk, but a physical barrier will not always be applicable in some situations.
• I have successfully employed the above methods many times and delivered similar methods in the training of some 5,000 dog industry professionals. I consider these to be the safest way of dealing with potential dog aggression.
• I often hear some industry professionals say “yell sit” at an advancing dog. This may work on some occasions but I am not an advocate of this method. Most dogs won’t sit for their owner let alone a total stranger. Definitely have your plan “B” ready if using this method.
• Likewise, I often hear people in the industry advocate for throwing treats to distract an advancing dog (obviously, you will not always have treats on you). Again, it may work but I am not an advocate of this method for several reasons. Throwing of objects (even treats) may trigger a highly aroused dog (yes, this has happened to me when trying to “break the ice” with a treat. It triggered the dog). Again, have your plan “B” ready.
What is Dangerous?
• Do not run from a highly aroused dog; you may trigger the predatory response of the dog.
• Do not even turn your back on a highly aroused or potentially aggressive dog; ignorance is not bliss, especially when it bites you on the ass! Literally! You cannot see what a dog is doing with your back to the dog. You cannot effectively defend against dog attack with your back turned.
• Do not voluntarily go to ground; if you get knocked to the ground or tripped, try to get up if you can safely do so. You are at a greater disadvantage on the ground both from a physical and behavioural point of view.
• Aversive methods such as striking, kicking etc.. Striking a dog may escalate the situation. As a dog’s arousal levels increase, their sensitivity decreases. These methods may have no effect on some dogs and other dogs may escalate their aggression. This includes digital pe*******on of a dog’s a**s! It is wrong, it is unsafe (apart from who could possibly bring themselves to do this) and it comes up in most of my bite prevention workshops. People have been badly injured attempting this. Don’t do it!
I have often heard people, who should know better, promote some of these dangerous methods. I question their actual experience and competence in handling aggression in dogs.
Is my Dog a Potential Risk to Community Safety or to the Professionals who Provide Services to my Dog?
Some people own dogs which could be best described as “accidents waiting to happen”. Some people really don’t comprehend the severity of their situation and some simply appear not to care. Some are even fearful of their own dog; these are all dangerous situations. In my experience, the majority of serious dog attack injuries are borne of dogs with known aggression issues.
Condition your dog to be comfortable wearing a muzzle and comfortable with restraint (being held); your vet and groomer will thank-you!
RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP IS JUST SO IMPORTANT. IF YOUR DOG IS AN “ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN” THEN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! SEEK COMPETENT CONSULT!
Community safety is paramount!
If all of the above is adhered to as a community, there should seldom be a dog bite/attack situation. Unfortunately we live in an imperfect world.
