Dog Attacks: What can you do as a Responsible Dog Owner?

We have all seen the news with the shocking headlines of yet another dog attack, but what can we really do about it? How can we protect ourselves, our dogs and help others to stay safe? 

Unfortunately a lot of dog bite incidents happen to children from dogs they know and as a responsible dog owner this is something that we all want to avoid.  It is horrible seeing reports of attacks and both dogs and humans being injured or worse.  

So how can we help and what can we realistically do?  

Protecting your dog?

• Ensure your dog is happy to be out in areas with lots of dogs by ensuring they are fully trained and socialised 

• Consider a protective coat for your dog? (https://westandjones.co.uk/pages/protective-dog-coat) 

• Keep your dog on a lead in busy areas where they may become more easily overwhelmed 

• Ensure you have brilliant recall before letting your dog off lead

• If you have multiple dogs ensure they are fed separately and consider leaving them separately when you are not there if possible as if one dog is to take ill others will often become scared which can lead to further injuries to both dogs

• Ensure new pets, adults and children to the home are introduced in a slow, calm and controlled manner to all time for everyone to settle in

Protecting Yourself and Others?

• Ensure your dog isn’t in any pain- You can speak with your vet and vet physio about this.  Dogs who are in pain are more likely to display aggressive behaviour (https://caninearthritis.co.uk/how-cam-can-help/cam-blogs/cam-meets-michael-shikashio/) 

• Ensure your friends, family and children know how to act around dogs and if your dog has any likes and dislikes that they should know about (https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dog-training/getting-started-in-dog-training/dog-training-and-games/how-to-train-my-dog-and-child-to-behave-safely-around-each-other/) 

• If you feel your dog can be ‘difficult’, ‘unpredictable’ or ‘nervous’ its worth speaking with a dog trainer/behaviourist to get some tips and tricks to help manage your dogs behaviour to help you all be happier, calmer and reduce any potential risks

• Help spread awareness of good quality dog training techniques, how to interact with unknown dogs, the importance of following legislation, 3rd party insurance and how we can all help each other- why not share this blog as a first step? 

Legally? 

• Ensure your dog is insured in case they are injured in an attack or become scared and flee and get injured that way 

• Ensure you have 3rd party insurance for your dog, this means if they cause an accident or injury to others out and about they are also covered, say for instance they flee into a road and cause a crash etc.  If your not sure if your dogs insurance policy covers 3rd party you can ask your insurer and if your dog isn’t insured you can get 3rd Party cover with a dogs trust membership (https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/companion-club)

• Ensure your dog is microchipped and wears a tag when out with all the information required present and readable- your insurance may not cover you if not! (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/901/made & https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/468/body/made)

• Make sure all your dogs details are up to date on their microchip and with their vets in case your dog becomes lost