Creating a loving dog-human relationship

Dogs are the most extraordinary animal on the planet.

They bring families together and provide endless entertainment. They enhance our lives with their devotion and friendship. They have rightfully earned our appreciation, and most importantly, we must protect them from being injured. We must also commit to protect the public from dog bites.

To safeguard the public and our dogs, we must educate and nurture dogs to live with us as loved family members. We must arm dogs with the tool of bite resistance. A dog's only defence, when they feel they are threatened, is to bite, but before that happens, they will display indications that they are nervous. Most dogs will never in their lifetime bite a human. In fact, dogs will do everything conceivable to avoid biting.

A few of the behaviours exhibited by a worried dog may include excessive yawning, licking lips, panting, or staring with their eyes wide open. They may turn their head away in total avoidance, with fur standing up along their spine. Common indications they are nervous are crouching, rigid body, growling, and baring their teeth or snapping. Dogs will instantly recognize these bodily cues, but humans may fail to understand them.

It truly does not matter what age your dog happens to be; a puppy, adult or elderly dog all require training to decrease the incidents of dog bites. A certified dog trainer or an obedience class can aid with bite avoidance training. This practice gives a dog a building block to a successful, flourishing life.

Children must also learn how to cautiously and appropriately interact with dogs. Parents should teach kids how to approach a dog safely. Kids must understand they should never pull a dog's tail, ears or fur, and never jump on a dog's back. A child's abrupt movements or high-pitched voices can terrify some dogs. Young children should never, under any circumstances, be left alone with a dog, even a dog they know very well.

Parents should teach their children to never stick their hands out to a dog so the dog can smell their hand. A dog that wants to meet a child will approach the child. Never pull the dog’s leash and force them to meet someone, especially a child.

A dog that has been harmed in the past may find a hand coming towards their face as threatening. Also, a food-aggressive dog may think there is a treat in that hand. Both situations can result in a dog bite.

Children or the adult should always ask if the child can pet a dog. Some dogs do not want to interact with strangers, and people must respect that choice.

If you own a dog that is reactive or has some aggression, please muzzle them in public. A muzzle is not a penalty; its use guarantees the safety of both humans, dogs and most importantly, children.

Please be kind to animals.

Tracy Jessiman is a pet portrait artist who lives in Halifax with her husband and their three pets. She has been rescuing animals most of her life, but more intimately, animals rescued her.