Public forum aims to teach pet owners about good behaviour Dog attacks need action

GREENCROSS Vets and Townsville City Council will host a public forum on dog behaviour following a spate of dog attacks in the region.

More than 580 dog attacks and more than 730 complaints about dog aggression were reported to the council last year.

There have been 74 dog attacks reported in January and February alone, with the council receiving up to 70 complaints a month about roaming dogs.

Townsville has 53 registrations for declared dangerous dogs and 15 for menacing dogs.

Greencross Vets marketing manager Rebecca Hunter said the Hyde Park practice had decided to organise the forum after liaising with the council about the number of dog attacks in the region.

“The goal is to prevent aggressive behaviour in dogs so we don’t have these attacks or aggressive behaviours and so dogs aren’t finding themselves in the pound,” she said.

A lot of bites stem from fear, not a dog showing dominance MICHAEL BURLING

“I think a lot occur in the street but if we can be proactive and teach dogs from a young age, we can hopefully prevent some of these incidents.

“That means teaching the dog but also teaching the owner. Dogs are often a product of their environment.”

Animal behaviourist Michael Burling, of the Dogfather in Townsville, will attend the forum and the council will give the latest advice on the registration and legislation relevant to animal owners.

Mr Burling said many people did not realise that a dog demonstrating aggressive tendencies needed a behaviourist, not a trainer.

“Most dogs can sit, stay, do the basics but when you are talking about a dog showing aggression, we are often talking about an anxious and fearful dog,” he said. “A lot of bites stem from fear, not a dog showing dominance.”

Mr Burling said genetics did play a part but humans, rather than dogs, were often the problem.

“Early socialisation is critical, as is early intervention,” he said. “But people need to realise it can take time to change behaviours. People watch a 30minute episode of The Dog Whisperer and think they will get fast results.

“It can take months to rehabilitate a dog.”

Mr Burling also said dogs’ behaviours often reflected their lifestyles.

Inadequate exercise, socialisation or interaction often resulted in frustration.

“Frustrated humans tend to have dogs that are less compliant or more likely to shut down,” he said. “Dogs that have positive and proactive owners are more likely to want to please their owners.”

The free session will be held on Monday at the Mercure Inn from 6.30pm.

To register your attendance, please phone 4771 4050.