April 10 is National Hug Your Dog Day, but those of us at The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa know most dogs don’t like being hugged and can, in fact, stress them out. Hugging a dog is not a natural action for a dog, an in fact, it can cause a dog to feel tense, anxious, and trapped. Dogs show affection by loose body moves and by leaning into you.
The best way to show your dog you love him or her on National Hug Your Dog Day is to pet your dog on the chest, pat her on the head, or give her a good ol’ fashion belly rub!
At The Ranch Pet Resort and Spa, our dogs in doggie daycare or boarding are loved every day! For a list of fees or services, please click here. Pats and affection given daily!
National Dog Bite Prevention Week
The second week in April is also delegated as National Dog Bite Prevention Week. A great way to prevent being bitten is to be educated and aware of a dog’s propensity to bite with these tips:
- Don’t hug a dog for the reasons mentioned above
- Never approach an unfamiliar dog
- Ask permission before petting someone’s dog
- Watch the body language of a dog-avoid dogs that are tense or growling
- Never run from a dog-whether in chase or on a “hunt,” the risk of being bitten goes up
- Avoid touching dogs that are sleeping, eating, or protecting something
- If a strange dog approaches, stand still with your hands to your side until it goes away
- When meeting a dog, allow it to approach you, and offer a clenched fist
- Avoid the face and mouth of a dog
- Do not tug on a dog or allow children to crawl or climb on a dog. Even the most well-meaning dog is capable of biting
- Avoid looking a dog straight in the eye
- Never tease a dog
- Socialize your dog
- Spay and neuter your dog
- Train your dog
- Supervise children when near dogs and teach them to respect dogs and their bodies
- Avoid moving quickly around a dog who may be startled and reactive
- If possible, ignore a barking dog until it stops barking at you. Either remove yourself from the situation if it is not your dog or wait for the behavior to stop before interacting with the dog.
- Never pin down, hit, or punish a dog for a natural behavior that you see as “aggressive” as doing so may cause the dog to become aggressive
Any Dog Can Bite
No one wants to believe their dog is capable of biting or causing harm or injury to anyone. But the fact remains, a dog who feel threatened, scared, trapped, or is under socialized and untrained is capable of biting.
Avoid the consequences of a biting dog by reading our tips, clicking on the links for more information, or enrolling in our behavioral training programs.
“Dogs don’t bit out of the blue. So stay safe and know the signs.”
