What We Can Do to Prevent Dog Attacks in the Community

A true loving pet parent wouldn’t want his/her fur baby to cause any harm or be harmed, to kill or be killed.

It was heartbreaking and disturbing. A true loving pet parent wouldn’t want his/her fur baby to cause any harm or be harmed, to kill or be killed.

But what can we really do to prevent dog attacks in the community?

We’ve prepared simple but helpful tips we; responsible parents can do to keep our fur babies from harming or being harmed:

✔️            Confine your dog to your house/property PROPERLY.

Even a friendly dog may guard the area on or around its property especially when you are not present. Keep in mind that a dog of any size or breed can become aggressive when defending its territory.

✔️            Make sure to have an escape-proofing gate and fence. It is your responsibility to make sure that he is kept in a securely fenced yard that prevents him from getting out or straying. (We do NOT recommend that you chain or tie your dog up to prevent him from wandering off).

Reasons for confining your dog:

🔘It is a legal requirement for dog owners.

🔘Prevents your dog from rushing or chasing someone.

🔘Prevent dog attacks in public places.

🔘Prevent your dog from wandering, roaming, or getting lost.

🔘Prevent your dog from traffic injuries or fights with other dogs.

✔️            Remember, being a responsible dog owner means abiding by the law, which helps to keep your pet, yourself, your neighbors, and your community safe. Dogs cannot be allowed to run loose.

✔️            What you can do if approached by an aggressive dog:

🔘Stand still, don’t run.

🔘Keep your hands by your side.

🔘Stay quiet, try not to make any noise.

🔘Avoid eye contact with the dog, look at the ground.

🔘Once the dog has lost interest, slowly back away.

✔️            The most important thing that you can do to avoid undesirable dog behavior is to supervise your dog.

✔️            Keep only the type and number of pets for which you can provide an appropriate and

safe environment; and proper training.

CTTO: You may watch the video – https://www.facebook.com/114274353352105/posts/659811968798338/

Destructive Dog Behavior

• Behavior that causes damage to an owner’s home or belongings.
• Primary destructive behavior is normal behavior that includes exploratory and play-based behavior.
• Secondary destructive behavior is a clinical sign of another behavior condition.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED

• Gastrointestinal—damage to teeth; vomiting and diarrhea, obstruction if ingested.
• Musculoskeletal—traumatic damage caused by scratching or chewing.
• Ingestion of toxic material could affect any organ system.

SIGNALMENT

• Any breed or gender.
• Primary destructive behavior is seen in dogs < 1 year of age.
• Secondary destructive behavior can be seen at any age.

SIGNS

Primary Destructive Behavior

• Initially occurs in the presence or absence of the owner.
• Not preceded by a specific environmental trigger.
• Absence of anxiety or aggression.

Secondary Destructive Behavior

• Attention-seeking behavior—destructive behavior in the presence of the owner.
• Separation-related anxiety—destructive behavior consistently occurs in the absence of the owner, and rarely in the presence of the owner; target items may include personal belongings, furniture, or points of egress.
• Storm phobia, noise phobia—destructive behavior and/or anxiety-related behavior in response to stimuli whether or not the owner is present. Intensity may be greater during the owner’s absence.
• Territorial aggression—arousal is observed in presence of the owner; destructive behavior is intermittent based on the presence of triggers; window frames and doorways are damaged.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

• Primary destructive behavior represents normal behavior; inadequate supervision and insufficient access to appropriate outlets may affect destructive behavior.
• Owner scolding, leading to either fear or attention-seeking.
• Risk factors for anxiety-based conditions are not clearly identified.
• Territorial aggression may have genetic and learned components.

DIAGNOSIS

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Identify pathologic conditions.
• If pica accompanies destructive chewing—rule out conditions affecting digestion, absorption, polyphagia, and appetite, including recent diet change.
• If licking surfaces, rule out upper GI disease.
• For sudden onset in a mature pet with no notable environmental changes—rule out medical conditions.
• For age-related onset, rule out cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

CBC/BIOCHEMISTRY/URINALYSIS

Usually normal

OTHER LABORATORY TESTS

As indicated to rule out medical conditions.

IMAGING

May be indicated if there is a sudden onset in a mature pet.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Physical examination with attention to the GI tract.

TREATMENT

Treat the underlying disease.

PRIMARY DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

• Supervise, confine or dog proof until appropriate behavior has been established.
• Assure access to acceptable chew toys.
• Reward appropriate behavior—select toys that dispense food or can be stuffed with food.
• Interrupt inappropriate behavior, apply non-toxic bitter-tasting products, then offer appropriate activity.
• Provide adequate interactive play.
• Use caution in applying any form of punishment. Any correction must be applied humanely, without causing pain or fear that could trigger anxiety or aggression.

SECONDARY DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

• Attention-seeking—provide owner-initiated interactions; teach sit for all interactions.
• Compulsive disorder—reduce sources of anxiety; offer interactive play and appropriate chew items; prevent access to target items.
• Separation-related anxiety—behavior modification; punishment is contraindicated.
• Noise phobia—behavior modification; reduce access to triggers.
• Territorial aggression—behavior modification, prevents access to doors and windows.

MISCELLANEOUS

AGE-RELATED FACTORS

Age of onset may aid in diagnosis.

PREGNANCY/FERTILITY/BREEDING

Periparturient destructive behavior (nesting).

ABBREVIATIONS

SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

TCA = tricyclic antidepressant

Visit your veterinarian as early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are essential.

You may also visit – https://www.facebook.com/angkopparasahayop

Destructive and Scratching Cat Behavior

Behavior that causes damage to an owner’s home or belongings.

Primary destructive behavior is normal behavior that includes exploratory and play-based behavior as well as scratching of surfaces for marking and claw maintenance.

Secondary destructive behavior is a clinical sign reflecting other behavioral conditions and disease states.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED

• Gastrointestinal—damage to teeth; vomiting and diarrhea, obstruction if target items are ingested.
• Musculoskeletal—traumatic damage caused by intense scratching or chewing.
• Ingestion of toxic material could affect any organ system.

SIGNALMENT

• Any breed or gender; probable genetic basis in Oriental breeds that present for sucking or chewing fabric.
• Primary destructive behavior is seen in cats < 6 months of age.
• Secondary destructive behavior is more often in mature animals.

SIGNS

Primary Destructive Behavior

May occur in the presence or absence of the owner.

No specific environmental trigger.

Common targets for scratching are furniture, door frames, and speakers.

May chew houseplants.

Items resembling string, including shoelaces, necklaces, and rubber bands are often chewed and ingested. Small items that are batted, may be accidentally swallowed.

Secondary Destructive Behavior

Attention-seeking-—destructive behavior in the presence of the owner, often when owners are preoccupied.

Compulsive behavior—excessive licking, chewing, and/or ingesting non-food items; fabrics particularly wool are targeted; occurs in the presence or absence of the owner.

Stress-related scratching may occur secondary to household conflict or change or in response to outside triggers, such as non-household cats

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

Primary destructive behavior represents normal behavior; inadequate supervision and insufficient access to appropriate scratching posts or toys are risk factors.

Owners may reinforce or increase stress by scolding cats scratching inappropriate items.

Compulsive chewing or wool sucking is most common in Oriental breeds.

DIAGNOSIS

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Rule out medical conditions.

If pica accompanies destructive chewing rule out conditions affecting digestion, absorption, and appetite, including recent diet change.

For the sudden onset of chewing in a mature cat rule out oral, gastrointestinal, and medical disease and medical conditions associated with pain or anxiety.

CBC/BIOCHEMISTRY/URINALYSIS

Usually normal

OTHER LABORATORY TESTS

As indicated to rule out medical condition (T4).

IMAGING

As needed to rule out medical conditions.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Physical examination with attention to the oral cavity.

TREATMENT

Treat any underlying disease.

PRIMARY DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

Keep claws trimmed.

Supervise/confine until appropriate behavior patterns have been established.

Assure access to acceptable scratching substrate; place posts in prominent locations and in the target area; select suitable substrate—sisal, cardboard, and loosely woven carpet are preferred; avoid posts covered with a tightly woven carpet; position vertical or horizontal based on cat’s preference.

Reward appropriate behavior.

Interrupt inappropriate behavior—apply non-toxic bitter-tasting product to deter chewing or double-sided sticky tape to deter scratching.

Provide regular interactive play,

Provide access to appealing toys.

Declawing should not be first-line therapy for normal scratching; while behavior modification is being implemented, plastic claw covers may be applied to prevent further damage.

SECONDARY DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

Attention-seeking behavior—provide owner-initiated interactions; clicker training; review principles of learning and reinforcement.

Compulsive disorder—identify and reduce sources of anxiety; offer interactive play and appropriate chewable items; some cats will chew rawhide bones; prevent access to target items.

Reduce household conflict, manage to interact aggression.

Block the view of outside cats.

CONTRAINDICATIONS/POSSIBLE INTERACTIONS

TCAs and SSRIs should not be used with monamine oxidase inhibitors, e.g., selegiline.

FOLLOW-UP

PATIENT MONITORING

Weekly follow-up during the initial treatment.

EXPECTED COURSE AND PROGNOSIS

The resolution of normal exploratory behavior is usually rapid.

Anxiety-based conditions often require long-term management, including long-term psychotropic medication.

MISCELLANEOUS

AGE-RELATED FACTORS

Rule out medical in adult or senior onset.

PREGNANCY/FERTILITY/BREEDING

Preparturient destructive behavior (nesting).

ABBREVIATIONS

SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

TCA = tricyclic antidepressant

Visit your veterinarian as early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are essential.

You may also visit – https://www.facebook.com/angkopparasahayop

Why Dogs Howl?

We know that there are several myths that surround this classic canine behavior and we’ve prepared interesting facts that would help us understand this.

Dogs howl to communicate

It is something that is innate to them and serves them in several ways. The sound of a howl carries across longer distances than a regular bark or growl. That means that other perceived members of the pack (or other dogs seen as competition) may be able to hear.

Howling is a way to say, “I’m here” and “let’s get together” to other dogs in their family or pack. It’s like us picking up a cell phone to call a distant friend over for dinner. 

Dogs howl to seek attention

Howling is something that is attention-getting, most definitely. Dogs who are bored or have been rewarded (by your attention or scolding) for howling, will continue to do this. Punishment and scolding, as well as laughter, reinforce undesired behaviors.

Dogs howl due to separation anxiety

Many dogs face separation anxiety, which is an intense dislike of being alone. This behavior generally stems from a need for socialization or a background that includes trauma. When we leave dogs alone for an extended period of time, it can trigger their anxiety. Howling is one of the many behaviors that result from separation anxiety, as well as other destructive behaviors like chewing and scratching at doors.

Dogs howl when in pain

Illness and pain may be an issue for pets who vocalize frequently. If your dog isn’t feeling well or is in pain, it will howl and/or whine. Address any of these signs with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is healthy and pain-free.

In general, dogs howl to get attention, make contact with other dogs, and announce their presence.

You may also visit – https://www.facebook.com/angkopparasahayop

Destructive Dog Behavior

• Behavior that causes damage to an owner’s home or belongings.
• Primary destructive behavior is normal behavior that includes exploratory and play-based behavior.
• Secondary destructive behavior is a clinical sign of another behavior condition.

SYSTEMS AFFECTED

• Gastrointestinal—damage to teeth; vomiting and diarrhea, obstruction if ingested.
• Musculoskeletal—traumatic damage caused by scratching or chewing.
• Ingestion of toxic material could affect any organ system.

SIGNALMENT

• Any breed or gender.
• Primary destructive behavior is seen in dogs < 1 year of age.
• Secondary destructive behavior can be seen at any age.

SIGNS

Primary Destructive Behavior

• Initially occurs in the presence or absence of the owner.
• Not preceded by a specific environmental trigger.
• Absence of anxiety or aggression.

Secondary Destructive Behavior

• Attention-seeking behavior—destructive behavior in the presence of the owner.
• Separation-related anxiety—destructive behavior consistently occurs in the absence of the owner, and rarely in the presence of the owner; target items may include personal belongings, furniture, or points of egress.
• Storm phobia, noise phobia—destructive behavior and/or anxiety-related behavior in response to stimuli whether or not the owner is present. Intensity may be greater during the owner’s absence.
• Territorial aggression—arousal is observed in presence of the owner; destructive behavior is intermittent based on the presence of triggers; window frames and doorways are damaged.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

• Primary destructive behavior represents normal behavior; inadequate supervision and insufficient access to appropriate outlets may affect destructive behavior.
• Owner scolding, leading to either fear or attention-seeking.
• Risk factors for anxiety-based conditions are not clearly identified.
• Territorial aggression may have genetic and learned components.

DIAGNOSIS

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

• Identify pathologic conditions.
• If pica accompanies destructive chewing—rule out conditions affecting digestion, absorption, polyphagia, and appetite, including recent diet change.
• If licking surfaces, rule out upper GI disease.
• For sudden onset in a mature pet with no notable environmental changes—rule out medical conditions.
• For age-related onset, rule out cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

CBC/BIOCHEMISTRY/URINALYSIS

Usually normal

OTHER LABORATORY TESTS

As indicated to rule out medical conditions.

IMAGING

May be indicated if there is a sudden onset in a mature pet.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Physical examination with attention to the GI tract.

TREATMENT

Treat the underlying disease.

PRIMARY DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

• Supervise, confine or dog proof until appropriate behavior has been established.
• Assure access to acceptable chew toys.
• Reward appropriate behavior—select toys that dispense food or can be stuffed with food.
• Interrupt inappropriate behavior, apply non-toxic bitter-tasting products, then offer appropriate activity.
• Provide adequate interactive play.
• Use caution in applying any form of punishment. Any correction must be applied humanely, without causing pain or fear that could trigger anxiety or aggression.

SECONDARY DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

• Attention-seeking—provide owner-initiated interactions; teach sit for all interactions.
• Compulsive disorder—reduce sources of anxiety; offer interactive play and appropriate chew items; prevent access to target items.
• Separation-related anxiety—behavior modification; punishment is contraindicated.
• Noise phobia—behavior modification; reduce access to triggers.
• Territorial aggression—behavior modification, prevents access to doors and windows.

MISCELLANEOUS

AGE-RELATED FACTORS

Age of onset may aid in diagnosis.

PREGNANCY/FERTILITY/BREEDING

Periparturient destructive behavior (nesting).

ABBREVIATIONS

SSRI = selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

TCA = tricyclic antidepressant

Visit your veterinarian as early recognition, diagnosis, and treatment are essential.

You may also visit – https://www.facebook.com/angkopparasahayop