Five Great Tips for Writing to the Editor About a Dog Bite Story

By Teresa Lewin

One of the first tips I give dog bite victims is to stay clear of reader’s comments should their story be shared with the media. It can be upsetting as most times the comments stray off topic, blame is cast, and emotions are running high for the victim, owners of the dog and the dog’s fate is before the courts. Sadly no one wins in this type of trauma. The comments can turn into heated debates very quickly.

I dont know what happened to spawn this little article of mine. I dont know what motivated me for the first time to respond to the reader’s comments. It may have been on the heels of a recent visit I made to a family who is overcome with grief and fear after their young son had had a bad experience with dogs that were running at large. They are trying to make new goals in their life, but the look of despair was obvious in their eyes. It could have been the recent conversations I had had with a group of dog bite victims, who were filled with fear, anguish, and sadness, but also the will to overcome, and enjoy dogs again in their lives. It could have been the gentle look my dog cast upon me, whilst he lay his head upon my lap. Somehow I found the courage to write a short letter in response to a horrific attack upon a child that resulted in the childs death. Ah, geez I just had to pick the hardest topic in the world to make sense of and there just isn’t enough hair dye in the world to justify just how stressful that can be. Blinders on, I continue forward despite all the red flags, because Im a dog bite prevention educator, so I must, Must, MUST send my response to educate (at this point interject a mental photo of a Jack Russell Terrier that spots a ball that it must have despite the fact that it can’t reach it…). Thats what I do and that’s the reason I plugged on, writing, in hopes of sharing something that would resonate with all who chose to read the reader comments. Below is a copy of my letter.

Teresas Letter to the Editor

No matter what the breed of dog you choose to share space with, it’s best if parents do some research and prepare for the life changes, involving babies, children and dogs. Almost all dog bites can be prevented through education. Education is not about blaming any one person or animal, it is all about learning to prevent tragedy from occurring. Fire prevention is an example of what education can do. Almost everyone knows what to do ¡f you should catch on fire: Stop drop and roll. Families should be just as familiar with what to do to prevent dog a bite: Be a Tree. Doggone Safe’s mandate is all about Prevention as its primary objective and we are proud to be the first non-profit in history to have accomplish this through education and victim support.

Having said this, Doggone Safe is hosting a huge challenge this year in May for dog bite prevention week. For the whole month of May, we are going to try to reach as many children as we can, using the Be a Tree teacher kits to educate about dog bite prevention.

This is how we can all do something completely proactive. Did you know that by the time a child reaches the age of 12, more than half have been bitten by a dog? Did you also know that of those children bitten that the dog was known to them? We live in a society where we have chosen to share space with a whole other species, like the dog. It’s best to learn all we can about dog behaviour, how to communicate with them, how to condition them to live in our home with our children and society in general. Dogs are everywhere, even people and families who do not share space with a dog in their home, will meet one in the street, in a friend, family or neighbours home. The more you know about how a dog communicates the safer you will be.

Please all, visit www.doggonesafe.com for more information as to how to be safe around dogs and prevent dog bites. We love dogs, we love children. Let’s all do our part to help prevent terrible events like the one posted here in the news.

Five Tips to Responding to the Editor  

Many articles and letters to the editor have been written with sharing success using 5 simple steps which I have listed below. If need be, re-read my letter above and see where these tips have been used.

1. Do not cast blame-it won’t fix the problem. Not now, not ever. There is no future there…instead write about how to avoid another attack in the future.
2. Share the burden- The burden of society is also a point worth making such as fundraising to promote dog bite prevention in shelters, schools, community centers, to involve the whole community to address dog bite prevention.
3. Refer to breed of dog in your response as: “the Dog”-this will help keep the reader on track with the message you are making, as well as, help set you up for success so that your message will remain intact and not be subject to debate, out of context responses, and/or political issues.
4. Remain neutral and objective by staying on topic- if you discuss one point of view, you will have to discuss all points of view, from the victim, from the owner of dog, from the dog’s (inferred) point of view. It’s best to stick to the educational content and tips to keep everyone safe including the dog!
5. Finally, send your comment or message to the editor of the paper and not the reader comments! You increase your chances of your comment being shared with a bigger audience. 

Advice for Dog Bite Victims

It’s also important to note that dog bite victims need to be validated. Having said that, if you know a dog bite victim that is trying to become a survivor, the best advice you can give them is:

• Don’t read the ‘readers comments’ of your story should it make the local press
• Seek therapy ASAP
• Visit Doggone Safe for more tips for Dog bite victims 

If you like the letter above, please feel free to copy the letter (just give me credit for writing it on your behalf) and send it off to your local newspaper. There are many articles we have posted for your use on www.doggonesafe.com to copy and send to your local media.

Why don’t we set a personal challenge and send a letter a week right up and through Dog Bite Prevention Month of May! Send a copy of the letter I wrote above, or use another sample from our web site. Write your own letter to the media! I’m going to do the same.

Thats a proactive thing to do.

I’m looking forward to May! Cheers all,

Teresa

Teresa Lewin
Co-founder Doggone Safe Inc.

Please send your questions, comments to: safek9milton@live.ca 

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Five Dog Approved Relaxing Activities

By Linda Cole

During waking hours, most dogs go a mile a minute. Theres guarding the home, or at least barking just to let their owner know theyre on the job. Then its off to make sure squirrels, outside cats or other critters are properly reprimanded if they step foot in the wrong yard. All of that takes time and energy, and sometimes its nice to just relax and enjoy some dog approved activities with their favorite human. That’s the one thing dogs enjoy more than anything else!

Being involved with your pet helps to strengthen your bond and build trust. Whats great about dogs is you dont have to spend a lot of time doing an activity with them. They dont ask much from us, and spending some extra time puts them on top of the world.

A Slow Walk

Many dog owners walk their dog on a daily basis, but not necessarily as a way to relax. Since I have a dog enclosure where my dogs can hang out, do their business and enjoy the day, our walks are mainly a way I can give them some mental stimulation. Dogs get tired of the same old thing day in and day out. They like a set routine, but they also enjoy an impromptu outing now and then.

A slow walk around the neighborhood or on a trail is a good way to relax. Let your dog sniff around under the bushes, while you enjoy the fresh air and everything nature has to offer. After all, if youre too busy to stop and smell the flowers once in awhile, it really is time to slow your world down a bit. Theres something about being on a slow walk with your dog that helps both of you relax from the rigors of the day. Take your time, and if you find a bench where you can sit, enjoy some quiet time with just you and your dog.

Grooming

Not all dogs need a good combing, but they do need attention paid to their toenails, teeth and ears. Most dogs enjoy a good brushing, and combing your dog can be a relaxing activity. My Siberian Husky, Cheyenne, loved being brushed. She would patiently lie on her side while I combed, and combed, and combed. Then, shed roll over so I could do the other side. Brushing or combing your pet is a good one-on-one activity you can do with your dog. It also helps lower cortisol levels for both of you. Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, and high levels are unhealthy for us, and our pets.

Massage

If you have never given your dog a massage, it might be a good idea before you begin to talk to your vet and read this RPO article: How to Give Your Dog a Massage. You can also find good information online and in books. Massage therapy has some really good benefits for pets. Its another great way to build a bond with dogs. However, my dogs just enjoy a casual rubdown from time to time, even if it isnt a true massage. I rub their legs, paws, tummy and sides. Your dog learns that your touch is soothing, and when you need to trim toenails or inspect his body, hes more likely to allow you to poke around. Whether you give your dog a true massage or simply run your hands over his body, either one will help him relax. Dont forget to reward him with some CANIDAE dog treats after youve finished his massage.

Watch TV and Cuddle

If you dont allow your dog on the couch or in your chair, sit on the floor with him. Watching TV together and cuddling makes him feel safe, and is a great way to help him relax as he sits or lies by your side.

Read/Play Music

To a dog youve bonded with, your voice is one of the sweetest sounds. I talk to my dogs all the time. If you cant think of anything to talk about, pick up a book and read out loud to your dog. It doesnt matter that he cant follow the plot line. The only thing he cares about is listening to you. Like our smell, listening to our voice is comforting and relaxing. Soft music is another relaxing activity most dogs enjoy just as much as we do. Keep the volume low, and while you listen, give your pet a nice massage.

Like us, dogs can become stressed, and even anxious with daily life. They need some quiet time, too. Spending just a little extra time with your pet makes them happy, and it can also help you relax after a long day at work.

Top photo by Cedric Ramirez 
Bottom photo by Berkeley T. Compton

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Five Reasons Why Your Dog Ignores You

By Linda Cole

Theres no getting around it, some dogs are quite good at ignoring their owner! Its frustrating when you try to get your dogs attention and he keeps on doing whatever it is hes doing. Here are five reasons why your dog might not be paying attention to you:

Lack of Proper Training

How we train a dog matters, and can make a difference in how they respond to us. If you dont take the time to teach your dog how you want him to behave, you cant expect him to know what you want. Yelling, kicking, hitting or any unfair punishment wont teach a dog how you want him to behave. As responsible pet owners, its also our job to make sure we put valuable or important things up out of a dogs reach, and provide a safe and secure area in the home where he can wait when were away from home.

Poor Timing During Training

Most dogs respond to treat training and praise during training sessions. Poor timing (when the reward is late) can mean the difference between a dog learning a command or not getting it. My dogs love CANIDAE TidNips™ treats, especially Keikei. As soon as she sees the treats, shes ready for her lessons. To be effective when giving a treat reward or praise, it has to be given immediately after compliance by the dog. You only have a window of about 3 seconds where your dog can associate the treat with the command. If the dog misses the connection between the two, he wont understand what you want him to learn. If you are teaching your dog to sit, the second his behind hits the floor, give him his reward. When you call him to come, as soon as hes in front of you, give him his reward.

Not Understanding Body Language 

Dogs learn not only from our verbal words, but also from watching our face and body language for cues. A dogs knowledge of body language is so refined, they understand what we want by signals we give with our body and tone of voice. If you have an understanding of the body language of dogs and are aware of the signals you are giving your dog, it can help get your point across. Its possible you are being ignored because your pet doesnt understand what you are asking him to do.

For example, if your dog continues to jump up on you and isnt listening to your down command, turn your side to him. Fold your arms so he cant touch your hands, dont look at him and dont speak to him. If he follows you as you move away from him, turn your back to him. If he continues, calmly walk away from him. He knows what that means. Your body language tells him everything he needs to know. Work on his training, but dont neglect your body language to help him learn.

Inappropriate Punishment

Dogs are no more perfect than we are, and mess up once in awhile. The come command is one of the harder commands for owners to teach a dog. Not because the dog doesnt understand the command, but if he is punished for coming, he learns not to come. Punishment to a dog can include being called inside when theyre not ready to stop playing.

My Husky was an escape artist. She could slip out of her collar or pen in a matter of minutes, and race off into the woods for a run. When she ran off, I was both angry and concerned because there was no way to find her once she disappeared into the woods. She always came back after an hour or so of freedom, and I greeted her not with anger, but with praise. I didnt want her to learn shed be punished for coming back home. Thankfully, I eventually found a collar she couldnt slip out of, and fixed her pen so she couldnt escape.

Something Else is More Interesting

Make it worth your dogs time to pay attention to you. If your dog is barking excitedly at squirrels playing in the trees, hes distracted and you need to give him a really good reason to listen to you. What you are offering him needs to be more fun than barking at squirrels. If youre calling him to come inside, give him a few minutes of your time and play catch or tug of war with him before taking him in. You dont want him to associate coming and the end to his fun by going inside right away. Show him you can be fun, too.

If your dog ignores you, take a step back and consider what you may be doing wrong. Sometimes its just a matter of making some minor adjustments to get your dog’s attention. Be positive, stay consistent and add a dash of fun to his day.

Top photo by Dane Khy
Bottom photo by Alan Porter

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