Dog bite expert weighs in on recent dog attacks
Posted Jan 3, 2013 10:44 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A dog bite expert is reacting following some recent dog attacks in Calgary, saying dogs are not people so don’t expect them to think or behave like us.
Dog behaviourist Melissa Berryman says K-9’s do not react the way humans do and what seems like a natural reaction to you sends the wrong signal to the pooch at the end of your leash.
“So the people with the pitbulls could have held the leash tight which could actually put the dog into what is called fight or flight and make the dog think it has no other option but to fight to defend itself,” said Berryman.
She says if you are approached by an aggressive dog, instead of feeling scared and defensive, send signals that you are friendly and not a threat. “I know that the dogs don’t see very well so I want to make a display of being a friend, cause dogs can only think that somebody is either friend, foe or prey by how we act, so I want to present my self as friend, high happy pitch voice, tapping my leg.”
Berryman adds even though you properly train your dog, they are still animals and can not fight natural instincts.
