Incidents of dog bites should not need to take place in a family household. Over the years I have been a strong advocate of educating owners on the importance of safety of children around dogs. I can’t emphasise enough the message to dog owners that management is so important.

All too often we hear of another child bitten by a family dog, and unfortunately as seen recently with horrific outcomes. 

People in the community are clearly not getting the message about the importance of managing family pets around young children.

More children are hospitalised in Australia each year resulting from dog bites than from car accidents, but you won’t read or hear about it in the news unless it is a “newsworthy front page article” such as the most recent horrific stories.

In all my years of dog training, I am yet to see or work with a dog that could be trusted 100% around small children.  Children have no understanding of dogs and the potential danger, nor do many adults.

Dogs are not humans

Humanising of dogs is not necessarily kind it is often cruel and confusing to dogs.  Dog Bite incidents are often a direct result of humanising of dogs and is in many cases is the cause of so many behavioural problems in dogs.

Unfortunately the pet industry as a whole has a lot to answer for in encouraging humanising of dogs.  I have found misinformation to be the “predominant cause of confusion” with owners and their dogs.

I see many dog training books on coffee tables and information people source through the internet.  You need to understand, anyone can write a book or post anything on the internet but this doesn’t mean it is correct especially when I see the evidence of this ‘misinformaton’ when I visit innocent dog owners who need my help to re-educate them and their dogs.

Dog bites do not need to happen

This is not to say you should be paranoid about dogs, however the use of simple common sense along with the correct information and education on how to manage your family pet around young children in order to avoid dog bite incidents occurring in the first place.   

– John Harkin

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Dog bites and children are unfortunately all too common in the family home. All too often we hear of another child bitten by a family dog. But it’s not the dog that’s always at fault.

Unfortunately, so many people are misguided about the importance of managing family pets around young children.

More children are hospitalised in Australia each year resulting from dog bites than car accidents.  You may be surprised to know that most dog bite incidents occur within the family home with small children by their family dog.

Advice from John

As a behavioural specialist and professional dog trainer in all of my years of dog training, I am yet to see or work with a dog that could be trusted 100% around small children.

Children have no understanding of dogs and the potential of danger, nor do many adults.

Dogs are not humans.  Humanising of dogs is not necessarily kind it is often cruel and confusing to dogs. Dog bite incidents are often a direct result of humanising dogs and is in many cases the cause of so many behavioural problems in dogs.

Unfortunately  the pet industry as a whole has a lot to answer for in encouraging humanising of dogs. We have found misinformation to be the predominant cause of confusion with owners and their dogs.

If you are going to obtain advice check out the source and give it a bit of thought. Anyone can write a book or put anything on the net, does it make it correct?

Advice from John

This is not to say you should be paranoid about dogs. However the use of simple common sense along with the correct information and education provided by professional trainers on how to manage your family pet around young children in order to avoid dog bite incidents occurring in the first place.

Very few people are qualified to advise you on the correct rearing and training of dogs to become safe suitable family companions.

At AUSDOG that’s what I do and have been doing successfully for the past 30 years.

As a professional dog trainer and behavioural specialist, I educate owners how to correctly manage their family dogs around small children, so  they remain a much valued member of the family for years to come.  To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call for a no obligation discussion.

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I have been warning dog owners for many years now regarding the dangers of chicken necks, however many Breeders and Veterinarians keep advising owners to give them to dogs.  It is not hard for a pup to choke.  Also when swallowed they can damage the dog’s throat as the small vertebrae can be very sharp.

Dog owners warned as research links raw chicken necks to fatal paralysis

This University of Melbourne study warns against feeding dogs raw chicken meat especially chicken necks. They were traditionally recommended for dogs, and known for their benefits with canine dental health. However, studies at the University of Melbourne U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital found that consumption of raw meat increases the chances of catching polyradiculoneuritis also known as APN.

APN is a rare but potentially fatal disease where dogs become paralysed due to an auto-immune attack on the nerves. The bacteria responsible for causing APN has been found in uncooked chicken. There is a significant association between this disease and smaller breeds of dogs.

Dog owners should choose regular dog food until more is known about this debilitating condition.

– John Harkin.

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Here’s what you need to know about children and dogs. Don’t just take it for granted that because your dog is good with your children that he or she will be fine with all children.  Don’t be paranoid, however, exercise caution with dogs around children, particularly those under 8 years.

Also be very careful with puppies and small children, often children don’t realise their strength and can damage internal organs on pup with a very affectionate cuddle.

Small children often drop puppies, the results can be quite serious.

Please don’t forget small puppies get exhausted very quickly so please ensure very short play time and plenty of rest for your puppy.

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DOG TRAINING IS SIMPLE… “If you get the right advice”

Most owners spend the first 6 months of their dog’s life doing all the wrong things. Then they spend the rest of the dog’s life either putting up with or trying to rectify bad behaviour.

The truth is it is not the owner’s fault they have received the wrong advice in the first place.

Unfortunately as a result, no matter how many times or how hard you try, you will not achieve the desired result doing the wrong thing with your dog.

The fact is, all dogs are ‘individuals’ and should be managed that way along with the individual needs of the family, their lifestyle and home environment.  And don’t fall for the misinformation about socialising.  90% of the dogs I attend to with behavioural problems and dog aggression have either participated in puppy school or have been so called socialised with groups of dogs or let run free in off leash in parks.

‘Good behaviour’ is the result of good management, good training and education’

The right advice starts here.

– John Harkin

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It’s Christmas time and lots of food around for your dogs could become an issue when guests are over this holiday season.

Be certain to ask your guests not to feed your dog.  Many foods that are fine for humans are not so good for dogs.

The last thing you want during the festive season is a sick dog and a big Vet bill.

Ask your Vet to provide you with a list of dangerous foods and plants and don’t over feed your dog.  He or she will suffer the next day as we do enjoy the food.

Also consider if children might be present that are not familiar with dogs and how best to treat them. It might be worthwhile to give them a few quick “rules” to adhere to around your dog – not only no feeding, or “sharing” your treats, but no sitting on the dog, no pulling his ears or trying to take any food from the dog.

Make sure in warmer weather that dogs have enough shade, shelter and plenty of rest time.  The tragedy of a dog snapping at a toddler or child can often be entirely avoided, with a bit of forward planning.

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Heat and dogs rarely go well together. Dogs rarely die from cold, but often die from heat exhaustion.

Please exercise plenty of care over the summer months, a dog can die locked in a hot car just as quickly as a child can.

Also be very cautious on hot pavements, dogs pads are no tougher than our feet unless conditioned. Even then radiant heat from the pavement is not far from dogs vital organs.  It is never a good idea to walk your dog in the heat of the day.

Walking Your Dog on a Hot Day

Always feel the pavement with your hand before walking your dog, as often even well after the sun has gone down pavements retain heat and can be very hot.

Also be very cautious of metal plates and lids on roads and footpaths, these can often be almost red hot.

If you have any concerns of ‘over heating’ please contact your Vet immediately.

In hot weather ensure you dog has protection from the sun with shade and plenty of water

Ask AUSDOG for more tips on heat and dogs today. 

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Watch out for bees and wasp bites, particularly if your dog is bitten around the facial area. If bitten, watch very closely as your dog can have a serious reaction to a bee or wasp bite.

Do not leave food and bones around your yard as wasps are attracted to them.  If in any doubt, contact your Vet.

Snake Bites

Watch out for Snakes – if you see your dog barking excitably at something at ground level it could be a snake. Respond quickly and get your dog well clear of the area. If you think there is any chance that your dog could have been bitten contact your Vet quickly.

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Here’s the thing with the holiday season and dogs. Over the holiday season life can be very confusing for dogs, their whole routine can be thrown out of sync.

Different people, different toys, different routine can be very stressful for some dogs.

Also after it is all over we are back to work and school and your poor dog is all of a sudden the only one home thinking “what was that all about, now they have gone and left me.”

Ensure that as you get closer to going back to work or school give your dog a little less attention so it is not as a big shock to him or her when you are not home.

Separation anxiety can become a big problem.

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Pool safety and dogs are an extremely important thing to consider this Summer. Puppies and dogs can drown very quickly.  Most dogs can swim, however if they can’t get out of the pool they can very quickly become exhausted and stressed.

It is a good idea to teach your dog where the steps are this can be done by putting your dog on lead at several points in the pool and guiding your dog or puppy over to the steps.  Have a family member sitting at the steps calling the dog to that area, with plenty of praise and allow your puppy or dog to climb out unaided.  Only 2 or 3 times.  Do not exhaust your dog.

We do not advise doing this with puppies under 12 weeks.

It is important to always keep gates closed and supervise your small puppy at all times when out in yard.

Ask AUSDOG about Pool Safety and Dogs now!

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