Staying safe around your dog

It was nearly two weeks before it was comfortable to wear shoes again. The cuts healed, but two years later the scars on her ankle where the line had gotten wrapped up and burnt into the exposed skin are still quite visible.

It is very unlikely that you will ever be attacked by a dog, and rarer still for it to be a truly intentional "I want to kill you" attack. However there are many ways even the most well mannered family dog might cause serious injury. Thankfully some basic awareness on our part can greatly diminish the opportunities for such accidents to occur.

Bites

This deserves its own entry, owing to the seriousness, and also the highly-publicizable and sensitive nature of dog bites. The essential elements are that dogs generally bite as a last resort to drive away a perceived threat. Some dogs enjoy biting as part of their genetics, and require a particular appreciation. Only the most truly dangerous dogs will go out of their way to intentionally try to hurt you (rather than in defence or surprise). Live bites are complicated even amongst working dogs.

In the majority of dog bite incidents, the dog quickly lets go. Where a dog is trying to kill or maim you (or any other large animal), they will try to tear off as much skin and muscle as possible, as quickly as possible. They will do this by pulling and shaking. Preventing the tear is vital.

An out of control dog who is committed to the bite will not respond to surprise or pain (if they let go on being startled with cold water or spray, they weren't commited), and while advice varies from situation to situation, inarguably the most effective and safe way to stop further injury or death is to immediately kill or tranquilise the dog. If this can't be done then the following is recommended with caution that the dog might redirect onto you:

1. Apply a strong slip leash high around their neck.

2. Lift the leash up hard so the dog is less able to pull on the bite, ideally their front feet will just come off the ground.

3. if they release their grip, immediately straight arm the leash away from you so you cannot be grabbed, and separate them from all others. Secure them to a solid point.

4. -OR IF THEY DO NOT LET GO- Choke the dog until unconscious. When they pass out drag them by the leash (do not handle them directly) to a place where they can be securely tied. They will wake up within seconds, be quick.

5. Check for further risks, and if safe to do so contact emergency services and address the casualty. Perhaps gather defence instruments should the dog unexpectedly come loose.

Nips

Dogs often snap their teeth at us to ask to play, sometimes accidently nipping us. More commonly however is when a dog tries to bite an object such as a ball-on-a-rope, but miss and bite up instead. Or the successfully grab the toy only against our bodies, and some skin gets gripped as well. Nips can be nasty, often leaving sore bruises and breaking the skin. However generally dogs have excellent control over their mouths, and are detect that they have gripped your skin within an instant, and immediately readjust.

However sometimes dogs nip intentionally (famously some herding dogs do this). These nips will hurt, and steps should be taken to avoid these dogs having the opportunity to do so. Typically, but not always, dogs doing this will try to silently slip behind you before coming in to nip you on the back of the legs. This is a serious issue, and the dog must be carefully managed as quality training is undertaken. What can be a nasty nip to an adults legs, can be a life changing incident to a child or person nearer the dogs height.

Muzzle Punches

Dogs jump up to our faces for many reasons. Smelling our breath, licking us, and biting at our ears to ask to play are common examples. A dog can do serious damage with their muzzle (never mind the teeth), so much so that noses will break and front teeth painfully rearranged. In fact, some prison dogs are trained to subdue inmates by ramming them with their (actually muzzled) face.

Claws and Paws

Your dog's claws can do a lot of damage to your eye balls. If you are crouched down, or even laying on the floor, always keep some sturdy part of your body between your face and their paws (likely an arm).

Long Lines

One of the most useful tools in dog training is also likely the most dangerous. The obvious risk is that you, your dog, or another person or animal becomes tangled and constricted (at speed) in the line. A long line can also run through your hand or across your body to cause nasty friction burns and cuts. On longer lines a dog can have enough space to reach a high speed, leading to a very sudden application of force on whoever is holding the line (and the dog - always use a properly fitted harness with a long line).

Do not step through long lines, and be especially careful not to step into a loop. Where the line is attached to another point/person, be aware of how it will move if suddenly tightened. When walking with a long line have the slack gathered and carried, dispensing and rewinding it as needed. Do not wrap it around any body part, especially the neck, and always be ready to drop the line in an emergency. The recommended method for gathering a long line is 'back-and-forwards' not 'looped', so that it lays over the hand and does not wrap around it. Always have two hands on the long line, and do avoid using using a 'thumb lock' grip that is sometimes done with a short leash. If the dog is about to hit the end of the line at speed, tuck your arms to your hips for strength, and adopt a stable and soft posture.

Being Pulled Over

Even a small dog on a leash can easily pull you over when the ground beneath your feet is slippery or difficult. This has proven especially dangerous due to the not uncommon chance to serious hit your head on hard ground. It is possible for a well-mannered and leashed dog to pull over their responsible handler on slippery ground, and escape to worry wildlife, run onto a road, or harass other dogs and people.

Being Knocked Over

If you want to break your knee joint, have your dog run into the side of your leg. Teach dogs from an early age to never run between legs, into legs, or between two people walking together. When a dog is running around you perhaps playing, always know exactly where they are, and be prepared to soften your knees should an impact be inevitable.

Jumping up

Especially when excited, dogs often jump up. Either kangarooing on the spot, or jumping up onto you. At such times always have an arm between the dog's body and your face, so that should they suddenly spring up they will only knock your arm, and not crack into your face. Another aspect that is often neglected is to keep your fingers together , so that one finger is not dislocated by a jumping dog - especially vulnerable is the thumb, as it is natural to have it apart when reach down to hold our dogs collar, say. This, along with keeping hands gentle closed, also helps the dog by reducing the chance that their eyes might accidently be poked.

Trips (Suddenly Stopping)

Be very cautious of having your dog in front of you, especially when you are running/cycling with your dog. Have some distance so that should your dog suddenly stop there will be enough time for you tell them to move, or come to a safe stop yourself. Be consistent in teaching your dog from a young age that they should not walk just in front of your legs, or squeeze past you while passing through tight spaces such as doorways.

Carried Items

Dogs often pickup large items, such as tree branches, that they cannot properly control (dogs do not have the same awareness of help objects that humans do, and so can easily thwack your legs while passing with a large stick. A dog dragging a loose object along the ground, such as a rope, could cause a trip hazard.

Infection Risks

Dogs represent a great vector for various infections to which we must be observant. Primarily they come from a dog licking or mouthing you after they licked or chewed something infected (faeces, discarded food, a carcass etc). This is also an issue if a dogs teeth or claws break skin. Dogs can carry parasites on their bodies which can infect you, your home, or other animals and pets.