Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company, provides dog safety tips for parents, children – and even U.S. Postal Service letter carriers

National Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 21-27

May 08, 2006 – Englewood, Colo. – With National Dog Bite Prevention Week approaching (May 21-27), Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company, today offered as a public service helpful tips on how adults and children can reduce the risk of being bitten by strange or familiar dogs.

Nationwide statistics underscore the need to educate the public about the problem and means of prevention. On average, 4.8 million Americans suffer from dog bites each year and approximately 750,000 of these incidents require medical attention. According to the Insurance Information Institute, these bites cost the property/casualty insurance industry $317.2 million in 2005. The most surprising facts may be that the majority of dog bites occur within pet owners’ homes, and nearly half involve children being bitten by the family dog. Conscientious parents can significantly reduce these high incidence rates by learning some basic guidelines that will help their children avoid getting bitten by their own dogs.

Safety Tips for Parents

• Under no circumstances should a baby be left alone with a dog.
• Young children should never walk or feed a dog unsupervised.
• Do not allow a small child to discipline a dog.
• Prevent children from pulling on a dog’s collar or aggressive or rough play.
• As a general rule, children should be taught to never pet a strange dog, even if the owner is present.
• Children should stay away from dogs that are eating or sleeping, and avoid dogs that have new puppies.
• Dogs that are tied up should never be approached; children should never retrieve a ball from an unfamiliar yard.
• Train the entire family on the communications methods of a dogs’ instinctual “pack” behavior, thus teaching the dog to be submissive through body language and voice control.

Of course dog bites are not restricted to young children – just ask any one of the 30,000+ U.S. Postal Service letter carriers who were attacked last year. Like postal workers, all people should follow safety guidelines when a dog approaches.

Safety Tips to Follow When a Dog Approaches

•  Don’t try to make friends with an unfamiliar dog.
• Stand still, stand tall and don’t move a muscle until the dog loses interest in you – don’t try to run away.
• Allow the dog to smell you but don’t put your hand out; let the dog come close to you on its own terms. Dogs may  conduct multiple “tests” and it is during these that some problems may occur, so remember to stay alert.
• Face the dog at all times but don’t make eye contact with the dog or stare – this can be perceived as a sign of aggression.
• Back away slowly, watching the dog from the corner of your eye.
• If the dog knocks you down, roll up into a fetal position with your arms covering your head and neck and play dead; don’t fight back. However, do not roll up like this just because you feel threatened; this could incite an attack. Follow these instructions only if you have been knocked down.

  “Most companion dogs are not aggressive,” explains Liam Crowe, COO and master dog behavioral therapist from Bark Busters. “Aggression in most cases stems from fear and comes with clear signs that we humans can look for.”
  

  
  Dog Body Language that Signals Potential Danger:

  •  Ears flattened against the head
  • Tail lowered
  • Backward-leaning posture
  • Hackles raised on the back of neck
  • Teeth bared or mouth shut tight

  “In these instances, be mindful to always face the dog,” adds Crowe. “A fearful dog almost always attacks from behind.”

  
  Bark Busters dog behavioral therapists, such as Liam Crowe, are renowned authorities in the area of correcting dog behavior. The Bark Busters’ training system can successfully train any dog, even puppies. The company’s natural training technique leverages the same communications methods – body language and voice control – that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. About 80 percent of Bark Buster clients require only one two-hour home visit from a certified dog behavioral therapist, if they continue with just 10 to15 minutes a day follow-up exercises for several weeks. All training takes place right in the home where the problems generally occur. And Bark Busters’ training is the only service of its kind that is guaranteed for the life of the dog. In every market where Bark Busters is established, a majority of veterinarians familiar with the technique recommend the company’s services. For more information about the video or Bark Busters’ training approach, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.barkbusters.com.
  
  

  About Bark Busters

  Bark Busters, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, over 300,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural method. With 182 franchised offices in 38 states and 280+ offices in eight countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral trainers to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment, and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers a written lifetime guarantee. Trainers will provide future sessions free of charge if problem behaviors recur, or if any new problems develop. For more information, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.barkbusters.com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs’ behavior.

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  NOTE TO EDITORS AND PRODUCERS: To schedule an interview with a local Bark Busters therapist, please call Carole Marie at 303-248-9650 or visit www.barkbusters.com (on left, enter your zip code or state and click “Fetch.”)

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