Simple Prevention Strategies to Protect Your Companion Animals from Predators
by (the original) Dog Whisperer Paul Owens
If you're like many “pet parents” today, you likely treat your furry friends with the same love, kindness and compassion that you do your children. You buy them special food to keep them healthy, give them plenty of toys and play games with them to ensure they're mentally engaged, and maybe even make sure they have special beds to keep them comfortable. In essence, you spoil your little friends and would do absolutely anything to ensure their safety because of the unconditional love and happiness they provide. The last thing you want is for anyone or anything to harm them.
However, keeping your pets safe from predators and harm may not always be easy. The key to doing so is awareness. The more you know about what types of predatory threats exist for your pets, the better equipped you will be to protect them. You need to assess your everyday environment and look at it from an animal's perspective.
Some typical threats include snakes, birds of prey, coyotes, other dogs, and humans. Depending on where you live, some of these may be more common and dangerous. For example, if you live in the western United States, coyotes may be a concern. Snakes are a bigger danger in the western and southern United States. Birds of prey are a threat for small pets everywhere. In more urban areas, aggressive dogs and humans are the main threats.
When you're aware of what types of threats exist for your pets, you will be better able to protect them and use preventative measures to keep them safe. To avoid a dangerous situation for yourself and your animal companion, use the following prevention strategies.
1. Provide Physical Protection
If your neighborhood is unsafe, keep your dog in your house when you're away. This not only will protect your pet from harm, but will also lessen the opportunities for your dog to become a nuisance as a “self-employed” neighborhood alarm system. Fencing in your yard is one of the best ways to provide a safe environment. A wide variety of fencing options exist today but whatever you choose, make sure you set it up properly. Your dog can escape, other animals can get in your yard, or your dog could be stolen or otherwise harmed. Make sure your fencing is made of durable materials such as chain link and that it's high enough to prevent escapes. Gates should be firmly locked and secure. At the very top of your fencing, install another row of fencing that is either angled in to keep your pets in or angled out to keep any potential predators out.
Another option is to buy or build a dog run. And a doggy door to your house can be an important safeguard, allowing your pet an escape route if he or she is ever in danger. Of course, the very best protection for your animal while on a walk is to have her on a leash.
2. Evaluate Your Neighborhood
Get to know your neighborhood and your surroundings very well. Determine if anyone keeps loose dogs in their unfenced yards. If so, avoid walking your dog in this area. Get to know the routines of your neighborhood in general. Are there certain times when more people are out walking their aggressive dogs? If so, it may be best to walk your dog when there are fewer animals and people around.
If there is an aggressive dog in your neighborhood, contact your city's animal control. And if you see an aggressive dog, avoid a potentially dangerous confrontation by walking in a different direction. You can schedule your walks when you are confident an aggressive neighborhood dog is typically in the house rather than in the yard. If you don't feel safe walking your dog in your neighborhood because of loose dogs or for any other reason, take him to a park or anywhere else you feel he will be safe. You could also find other neighbors who have dogs that get along with yours and walk with them in a group, as everyone is always safer in a crowd.
3. Walk Your Dogs Separately
If you have more than one dog, you may want to walk them separately, especially if one of your dogs is overly protective of another. Yes, this may add a little more time to your usual routine, but if it means keeping them safe, it's time well-spent. When more than one dog is around, a pack mentality can surface. They can become very protective and this may trigger aggressiveness in other animals around them. Remember, at any moment, other dogs can get loose from leashes, from inside their homes, or basically from anywhere. And if they feel threatened, they could go after you or your dog. You'll have an easier time defending or protecting one dog in such a scenario rather than two or three.
4. Train Your Dog
Teach your dog to reliably lie down and stay put. Don't let your dog instigate fights. You can also teach him or her to turn toward you whenever another dog approaches. This head turn is often perceived by the other dog as a “cut off” or “calming” signal that signifies “I'm not a threat.” Training your dog positions you as the leader of the pack so your dog listens to you and waits for your signals. Arrange group or private classes with a professional dog trainer who uses only positive methods. You can also learn to train your dogs by purchasing a DVD on training such as The Dog Whisperer: Beginning and Intermediate Dog Training.
Do What Works for You and Your Pets
Realize that there is no single best way to protect your pets from predators. A combination of prevention strategies will keep your pets away from danger. Determine what works best for you and your pets, and do whatever works. Here are some examples:
If another dog is approaching you and your animal, try to put something between you and the attacker, such as your backpack, coat, a fence, a car, etc. If you have a small dog, pick her up immediately. Start yelling for help if necessary and yell a stern “NO” at an approaching dog, as some dogs respond to this.
Another option is to carry an airhorn with you, similar to the ones used at college football games. They can work very well in deterring an approaching dog. If you decide to use one of these horns, make sure you gradually get your dog accustomed to the sound so you do not distress him or her when you use it. You can also purchase a product called Direct Stop, which is a citronella spray that also has proven effective as a deterrent.
If the preventative measures you have taken don't work and you find yourself in a situation where your dog is actually being attacked, you must act fast. Everything happens in mere seconds. If the attacker is not an immediate threat to you, try to grab the attacking dog's rear legs and pick him up like a wheelbarrow. This often puts the dog off balance and, as a result, he may stop fighting. Be aware however, that you will probably suffer bites from one or both of the dogs.
In the end, no professional trainer or other expert can give you the skills you need to protect your pets and keep them safe from harm. It is up to you. Trust your own common sense and intuition and try your best to avoid dangerous situations. Make yourself aware of the potential dangers that exist for your animal companions so you can take the preventative measures necessary to protect them. When you do, you'll be promoting kindness, compassion, and respect for animals, as you keep yourself and your friend safe from harm.
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About the Author:
Paul Owens
Author: The Dog Whisperer DVD and the book: The Dog Whisperer,
A Compassionate Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training
Certified by The Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Endorsed by the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors
Director: Raise with Praise, Inc. Dog training
www.DogWhispererDVD.com