We reported on a dog attack earlier this week in Gurley, which remains under investigation.
As we await new details about what exactly happened, it’s a good time to discuss safety.
WAAY 31 spoke with a dog trainer on Friday about signs and signals to look for in an aggressive dog.
Trainer JB Pitsinger from Dog Training Elite in Madison says it all starts with responsible pet ownership. According to Pitsinger, the more trained a dog is, the less likely it is to show aggressive behavior.
He also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of aggression.
“A dog will typically raise the hair on its back—hackling is what we call it. They will usually show you their teeth. You can see the pupils in their eyes dilate and get very large. Their tail will usually go in a straight upward fashion, they will freeze, and they will usually be staring at you with the intent to stalk you,” Pitsinger explained.
If you see any of those signs, Pitsinger advises not to approach the dog and to leave the area if possible.
He also stresses the importance of staying calm if a dog comes after you. Running away will only encourage the dog to chase you, and yelling or screaming can escalate its aggression. If you are knocked to the ground, he says there’s one crucial thing you can do:
“The best thing that’s going to help you out is to cut off the dog’s air. If the dog can’t breathe, the dog can no longer bite. A lot of bigger dogs that attack you will bite and not let go, and that’s a huge problem,” said Pitsinger.
If you’re going somewhere where dogs might be present, Pitsinger recommends carrying an air horn or pepper spray as a precaution.
He also reminds people that dogs are territorial animals, so it’s vital to stay alert. Parents, in particular, should teach their children how to safely interact with dogs.
“We never want to let our children go around any dogs we don’t know or are unsure of. For dogs that we are familiar with, we teach our children how to be calm around the dog. Show them how to approach with an open hand underneath. We don’t want the child being high-energy or going over the dog’s face, as this can create a stressful situation for the dog,” Pitsinger added.
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