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A valued client asked a question on service dogs being brought into public buildings: Question: I’m getting our attendance list together for Bulli Ray training, and the Tax Collector’s office has posed a question about “service” dogs that seem to be increasing exponentially here. We realize there are limitations about what we can ask of their owners, but do you have any experience or advice on how to handle dogs being brought into public buildings? thanks Answer: Behavior is the best indication whether it’s a well-trained team or not. If a “Service Dog” is interrupting a business’ daily operation with its behavior, causing problems in a housing situation, is a danger to anyone or its conduct is NOT conduct acceptable in a Service Dog (barking, growling, stealing food from other clients, knocking people over, jumping, or many other behaviors), by law, the manager or business owner has every right to ask the person to remove the dog from the premises, “Service Dog” or … [Read more...]
A Look Into Bulli Ray’s Dog Hire Process Part 2
Do you look for dogs that have shown past aggression issues? No, aggression is not a good thing. We look for a dog with balance of drives, defense, prey and play. If the dog possesses mostly defense/aggression the dog will be dangerous. An aggressive dog will look for a way to win the fight, and usually in a dirty manner. The dog will go for the face or leg, especially if the volunteer challenges him by staring eye-to-eye or leaning over the dog. The dog cannot be sound or sight sensitive leading him to react to their surroundings. Dogs that are evenly balanced between their defense and prey or play, will bite all day and never have the intent to hurt the person in an obvious play activity (the class). This type of dog will look forward to the “fight”, and he wins in every class, always getting to keep the sleeve. The dog wins the tug of war every time, which makes him come into each class stronger and looking forward to the fight, but really it’s just a game. We manipulate the … [Read more...]
A Look Into Bulli Ray’s Dog Hire Process Part 1
1. Are you looking for specific breeds when hiring dogs for Bulli Ray? Yes, we look for working breeds such as German Shepherds, Belgium Malinois, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. Every once in a while we will find a Pit Bull, American Bull Dog or Cane Corso that is suitable for our classes. These dogs are great for the class because they are the breeds employees are confronted by in the field. 2. Are there any breeds you would never consider for hire? No, unless they are too small or their mouths will not fit around the sleeve (protective cuff the employees wear). We have used a Blue Heeler, Japanese Tosa and a Labrador Retriever because they were safe and strong enough to do the work. The same goes for dog handlers/trainers, it is hard to trust a trainer no one has heard of or knows of personally and these dogs are also not usually cultivated or professionally trained for the working sports. 3. What type of specific traits are you looking for in a dog? The most … [Read more...]
Pit Bulls
There are certain topics that should be avoided in casual conversation because they ignite a rash of different emotions. Religion and politics are two topics that usually are avoided and the pit bull breed is fast becoming such a topic. On one hand you have those that will defend the pit bull insisting it is the environment and owners that dictate their behavior. While on the other hand you have those that believe all pit bulls are dangerous and should be banished all together. Pit bulls have a very distinctive muscular build due to their origins of the European Bulldog and eventual breeding with the terrier. The European Bulldog was used for baiting bulls, bears and holding down large animals. When baiting was banned in the 1800’s European Bulldogs were then used in dog fighting, but a more agile dog was desired and thus they were bred with the terrier. Pit bulls are now known for having a very stocky and strong build while being able to maintain extreme athleticism. They currently … [Read more...]
The Importance of Reporting Dog Bites
With dog attacks becoming more and more prevalent in the media many states have adopted breed specific laws in an attempt to help prevent vicious dog attacks. There are Facebook pages and websites dedicated to nothing but displaying videos of dog attacks and comments ranging from blaming the owner to outright blaming the victim for “provoking” the dog. There are so many different opinions on whether breed specific laws are actually effective. The argument is often made it’s the owner not the dog. This notion ignores the fact that dogs were bred for specific purposes and knowing the history behind the breed is important. It is crucial to understand that any dog can bite and aggressive behavior in dogs should not be tolerated or taken lightly. Studies are not able to provide an accurate number of dog bites, only estimates, because so many attacks are going unreported. The specific reason victims do not come forward is unknown, however, one can assume it has much to do with loyalty to the … [Read more...]
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
When many people think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) the first thing that comes to mind is a battle weary soldier, however, anyone who has suffered a traumatic event can have symptoms of PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental condition that can occur after a devastating event, causing an individual to experience extreme anxiety. Having a traumatic event occur to an employee doesn’t guarantee they will suffer from PTSD, however, depending on the severity of the event it can occur. For instance, if an employee is bitten by a 6-pound Yorkshire terrier it may have little-to no effect on them, however, if a 85-pound pit bull were to bite them the effects could be devastating. For employees that have suffered a life-changing event such as a dog bite the long-term consequences can be debilitating. Even after the physical wounds have healed, the emotional recovery from a dog bite can be felt for years and years to come. In such an instance, the simple sight of a dog may … [Read more...]
Invisible Fences
Imagine a scenario where you are in-route to deliver a package. You have been down this street many times and are familiar with the neighborhood which is relatively quiet and well kept. You drive up to the appropriate house and step out of your company vehicle to deliver a package. You have been to this house many times and have a rapport built with the owner of the house, so you immediately head to the front door. Everything seems normal when suddenly a dog appears! Nothing has changed since your last delivery, there is no fence, or beware of dog sign when suddenly the owner appears in the yard giving a command to the dog and you realize two things. First, the owner has gotten a new dog, and second, they now have an electric fence. There were no warning signs at all to let you know you there was a dog present. This is just one of the issues with invisible or electric fences, because while it may be effective in keeping the owner's dog in the fence, it is doing nothing to keep other … [Read more...]
How Dog Bites Affect Your Employees
Depending on the line of work your company is in, the risk factor for encountering a dog can vary drastically. Employees at risk for encountering dogs in their line of work should keep the mindset that on a daily basis they may encounter a number of dogs on their route. However, this mindset does not lessen the fear when a potential attack is eminent. If employees are at risk for encountering dogs during work it is critical they are trained to never believe an owner when they state their dog won’t bite. Dogs have no discrimination and will look to exhort their dominance when given the chance. For employees who have suffered an attack, they know all to well how quickly a dog’s behavior can change. Once an employee suffers a dog bite it will never be forgotten and the physical scars of the attack remain as a vivid reminder of what they have survived. What seems like a simple task to an average person may now take a large amount of effort for those who have experienced a viscous dog … [Read more...]
Reducing the Risk of Dog Bite Related Injuries
For the many employees who come in contact with dogs on a daily basis their description of the animals behavior may be very different from that of the average American. Dogs are often referred to as man’s best friend, which speaks to the relationship one can have with their dog. Also, it is common for families to consider their dog as one of their own family members. However, if you are one of the many businesses whose employees deal with dogs on a regular basis, you know there is a different side to that family pet. Dog bite related injuries and deaths are unsettling to think about for many reasons. For starters, no one wants to think about the pet they love so dearly having the capability of being a viscous killing machine. When reading testimonies of those who have survived or witness a dog attack there is often one resounding similarity, the owner never saw it coming. You will often be told, “Oh, I promise he won’t bite,” all while the dog is showing you his fanged teeth. In … [Read more...]
Why should your business be concerned with dog bite safety?
If your business deals with even 1 of the estimated 83 million dogs here in the USA, then the better question is why wouldn’t you be concerned? I don’t know about you but that is a lot of dogs to encounter when going about your daily routines and routes. Out of the estimated 83 million dogs there are about 885,000 bites per year! Still not convinced there is a need for dog bite safety (DBS)? How about this? Each year in America you stand a 1 in 50 chance of being bitten. What those numbers should say to you is education and knowledge on DBS is key. Having employees know what cues a dog may provide before an attack are paramount. It can reduce the risk of bites, boost employee moral causing each employee to be more confident in their job because they know how to handle themselves. Employees will face dogs but with DBS training they will have the knowledge to address problems when they arise. They will assess each situation and know they are more likely to be bitten if the owner is … [Read more...]
