We’ve discovered a great web site filled with lots of free resources to educate children–and adults, too–about how to reduce the risk of being bitten by a dog.
The web site belongs to a non-profit organization called Doggone Safe, founded to help educate children about how to recognize negative emotional signals in the body language of dogs.
We came across a Psychology Today blog post in which author Stanley Coren suggests that most dogs find hugs stressful.
The research involved analysis of photographs posted on the Internet. More than 80% of dogs being hugged showed signs of discomfort, stress or anxiety.
We encourage all our dog-owning clients–especially those with children in the household–to read the article. If your dog shows any signs of discomfort when being hugged, it’s a good idea to find other ways to show your affection.
Why does your cat behave as he or she does? This 5-minute TED-Ed video, called “Why do cats act so weird?” has some answers.
Written by Tony Buffington, a veterinarian and professor with a special interest in cats, the animated video covers a number of common feline behaviors, tracing them back to their evolutionary roots. It’s fun to watch, too!
We joke about “herding cats” as an impossibly difficult task, but behavior problems in pet cats can be serious and, fortunately, can be addressed.
A good overview of behavior issues in cats is on the ASPCA’s web site.
We came across this very insightful TED* talk by Ian Dunbar, a veterinarian, dog trainer, animal behaviorist and author. Over the past several decades, Dr. Dunbar has written many books and DVDs about puppy and dog behavior and training, including AFTER You Get Your Puppy, How To Teach A New Dog Old Tricks and the SIRIUS® Puppy Training video.
For much more information and free resources by Dr. Dunbar, including a comprehensive online dog training textbook, visit Dog Star Daily.
*TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged.
With Independence Day fast approaching, we want to remind owners to protect their pets from exposure to fireworks.
We know of at least one local July 4 fireworks display this year at Arbuckle Acres Park, and we’re sure there will be many families celebrating the day with fireworks in their own backyards.
We encourage you to protect your pet from fireworks this July 4!
Sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, National Dog Bite Prevention Week® takes place during the third full week of May each year. The goal is to teach people about preventing dog bites.
The AVMA’s web site has a page dedicated to dog bite prevention. We encourage you to visit the page and learn more about how you can lower the risk that your dog will bite. There are also tips on how to avoid having a dog bite you or someone you love.
Also from the AVMA is this video about preventing dog bites. This is video has dog bite statistics as well as specific tips for avoiding being bitten. We hope you’ll watch it with your kids.
