How Do You Prevent A Dog Attack? One Way Is To Not Tie Up A Dog For Long Periods Of Time

I suppose everyone has heard of, read about or even observed a vicious dog attack on someone at some time. Regrettably, time and again it is a child who is the victim, which makes it even more heartbreaking. What accounts for these attacks and is there a way to avoid them?

There are several possible motives behind dog attacks. The main one that hits me is an attack by a dog that is tied up to an inanimate object. Dogs are naturally social animals and have many of the feelings that are the same as what their human counterparts experience. To leave a pet of any age tied to a tree, doghouse, fence or anything else is the same as isolating a person from companionship with other humans. After a period of time of this seclusion it is possible that the normal behavior and temperament of either dog or human will transform for the worse. A dog might claim his little area as his own and confront anyone who enters within his reach, guarding what little he has.

Another reason dogs have to be menacing while tethered is the actuality that aggression is their only source of survival. They have no ability to avoid anything they feel might hurt them. Between their two options of fight or flight, their flight alternative has been eliminated. So the only possible course of action they have left is to fight.

Dogs also enjoy migrating, moving from one place to another, whether it is by walking with their person or going out on their own treks. They thrive on physical activity to keep normal and balanced. A dog left alone for great lengths of time on a cable does not have access to this much needed exercise and will attempt to find other outlets for the pent up energy. He may choose to dig holes or destroy anything close at hand. He may also angrily guard his confines, barking and lunging, hoping to break out of his bonds.

In this type of situation, the most evident method of averting a dog attack is by keeping clear of any unknown dog tied to any object by a chain. Kids should not be let near ANY dog that is chained up, whether it is a family dog or not. It can happen that a restrained dog will look at a small child as an intrusion to his protected area, perhaps seeing the tot as just another small animal to compete with over personal space.

It is unthinkable that any dog would ever be left tied up for any reason. It goes contrary to every characteristic fragment of their existence - psychologically, physically, socially and emotionally. The most effective way to prevent a serious encounter with a tethered dog is to never tie it up to begin with. The dog that is now aggressive after an extensive time on a chain could have been a wonderful, loving, totally dependable dog if not for the seclusion and imprisonment he was sentenced to.

This is simply one motive for a dog attack. There are several others. For now, though, if you own a dog being kept on any kind of a tie out, please try to think of some other option. This might mean building a fence, dropping her off at a dog day care facility where she can interact with other dogs, or taking her for walks on a regular basis. Please rethink keeping such a social being on a chain and prevent an inevitable dog attack.

If you need to walk close to a dog who is chained up and aggressive, be sure to carry with you some kind of defense in case the dog does get loose and attempts to maul you. This can involve an umbrella, which should startle a dog when opened quickly, or a can of canine pepper spray which will, if sprayed into the face of an advancing ferocious dog, cause the dog to stop in its tracks. Do not surmise that just because a dog is chained up, you are protected at a distance. There is always the potential of the chain, rope, cable or collar snapping and the dog escaping its confinement. Be protected and consistently aware of your surroundings.


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Karleen Lindsey is an advocate for the use of non-deadly weapons to ensure the safety of you and your family, primarily women, children and the elderly. Check out her Ultrasonic Dog Chaser and receive a 20% discount on your first order over$10 with coupon code 3254.