Dogs are pack
animals. When you
get a puppy, you and
your family becomes
the "dogs pack" and
the puppy thinks of
you as just another
dog. Dogs need to
have a Pack Leader.
It is very important
that you are
considered more
important in the
pack than the puppy.
Respect is the
biggest thing to a
dog ... be cool, be
kind and your dog
will follow you to
the end of the world
... and back!
Never ever put your
face lower than the
dogs face. If you
are lying on the
floor, puppy will
think you are not as
important as it is
and will jump on
you! Then, if you
get scratched,
remember the puppy
is only doing what
is in his nature –
he did not mean to
hurt you, he is just
playing the only way
he knows how.
Always ask before
you touch someone
else's dog. Small
dogs can bite hard
too! If the dog
owner is not there
for you to ask,
LEAVE THE DOG ALONE.
When you approach
dogs, do not
approach from the
front. Approach from
the side so the dog
has a chance to
check you out first.
Then if the owner
allows you to touch
the dog, extend the
closed hand towards
the dog to sniff. If
the dog seems okay,
scratch the dog
under the chin or
pat his shoulder. DO
NOT attempt to pat
strange dogs on the
top of their heads
as this is a bit
pushy and rude in
their eyes and could
make them cross. DO
NOT lean over the
dog as this too
could make the dog
cross - stroke dogs
on the side you are
on.
Always try to avoid
eye contact with
dogs that you do not
know - as they can
interpret constant
eye contact as a
threat or challenge,
dogs could think you
are going to hurt
them and they might
bite you.
Dogs is in pain, do
not understand where
the pain comes from.
If you touch a dog
in pain, he may
think you are
causing the pain and
will bite you to
stop the pain. If a
dog is acting like
he is sick or hurt,
leave him alone --
even if he belongs
to your family. Tell
an adult. Together
you can get medical
help for the dog.
Always be gentle
with dogs. Do not
tease dogs, hit them
over the nose, or
pull their tails or
ears. You are asking
to be bitten! How
else can dogs tell
you they do not like
what you are doing?
If the dogs ears are
laid back against
the head, or the
legs are very stiff,
he is probably
warning you that he
feels threatened and
will protect himself
if he must. If the
hair on the dogs
back is standing up,
that is a serious
warning! If a dog is
growling or barking
with his teeth
showing, it means he
is ready to bite.
Dogs warning signs
mean that you are
doing something he
does not like, so
stop doing it!
What you should do
if a dog is
aggressive:
Freeze.
Count to five, slowly and silently.
Move away very slowly, sideways or backwards.
If the dog jumps on you, act like a rock by curling up into a ball
and covering your
face and head with
your arms.
What you should NOT
do:
Do not stare at the dog - that means: "I dare you to bite me!"
Do not run, jump or wave your arms around.
Do not scream.
Do not throw anything at the dog, do not hit him.
Take good care of
your dog. Remember
to exercise your dog
and brush him
regularly, try to
find playmates for
him - your dog will
love it and so will
you. Always have a
bowl of fresh water
and a clean sleeping
place for your dog.
