This is a difficult time for everyone: having to spend most of our time at home, being away from loved ones and unable to do the things we usually love to do. For some families it is a chance to spend more time with their pets, for others it is a time where new pets may be welcomed into the household. Unfortunately, this can also create some problems.

Some pets may be used to long hours left alone, and while having all this company can be great for some, for others it may feel like they do not have any time away from humans.

Has your dog:

Been getting more walks than usual?

Had more play time?

Had less time on their own?

Been constantly around family members?

Whilst it is great that pets are getting more contact with family members, some dogs may find this time stressful. A dog that is constantly given attention from the whole family may get frustrated, and when dogs get frustrated sometimes this can lead to behaviour such as growling, snapping and biting.

Some facts on dog bites:

• Each year in the UK there are around 8000 people admitted to hospital due to a dog-related incident, and this number is increasing. However not all dog bites result in hospitalisation so the true figure is likely to be a lot higher (around 50% may not require any medical treatment let alone be hospitalised from the bite)
• Children younger than 9 years old are the most likely to require hospital admission after a dog bite and are more likely to have injuries to the head
• Many bites occur with familiar dogs including those that live with the victim
• Bites can occur during positive (stroking, playing, feeding) or negative interactions (shouting, punishing)
• Admissions tend to be higher during the summer months
• Dog-related incidents are more likely to occur in urban areas with Merseyside having the highest rates of admission for dog-related incidents
• Any breed is capable of biting, not just the breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act

With families now spending the majority of their time in the home, now, more than ever, it is important to understand how to communicate with your dog and keep everyone in the family safe and happy.

Here’s a list of Doggy Do’s for keeping everyone safe during Covid:

Do walk your dog every day – it’s great to let your dog explore and exercise daily. Elderly dogs or those with health conditions may need to have shorter, more frequent walks.

Do play games with your dog – dogs can get bored too; there are many games for dogs that can provide mental as well as physical stimulation. Try to avoid games like tug and do not tease as these can cause frustration.

Do give your dog space – just like humans, dogs can need some time of their own. When everyone is in the house all day long it can be difficult to do this, but make sure your dog has a room or part of the house that they can take themselves away to if they need a break. Be sure to respect their space and give them time alone.

Do leave your dog when eating and sleeping – dogs should be left alone during dinner time, and children should be discouraged from giving pets their own food. A pet can be frightened easily if they are disturbed while sleeping.

Do actively supervise – no dog should be left alone with a baby or child, not even for a second as the situation can change rapidly. Supervision involves actively watching dogs and children interacting and being aware of when a dog feels stressed or a child is behaving inappropriately, for example trying to take food away from a dog, putting their face close to the dog’s face, or jumping, tugging and pulling at the dog.

Do interact safely – certain actions can make a dog anxious and potentially cause them to bite. These include leaning over, cuddling or kissing, grabbing body parts, poking, or pulling. Young children often lean in towards dogs, getting close to their faces. This is normal behaviour for a child that is curious and investigating their environment but can be especially risky when involving dogs.

Do practice leaving your dog – many dogs can struggle with separation anxiety as they become very bonded to family members. As things begin to get back to normal it is important to prepare your dog for being left on their own again. Start with leaving your dog in a different room in the house for a few minutes, building up slowly to leaving them for an hour or so. Make sure they have something safe and fun to do while you are gone, such as a treat toy.

Do understand dog signals – signs that a dog feels uncomfortable, stressed or scared include:

• Wide eyes with ears back
• Turning away their head or body
• Licking lips, yawning
• Body shake as if shaking off water
• Suddenly tensing up, becoming still and staring
• Lifting a lip, growling

These are all signs that a dog should be left alone. It is important that children understand these signals too. It is particularly important to never punish a dog growling. This is them telling you they are unhappy with the situation and need to be left alone. If these early signs are ignored, the dog may be pushed into a position where they may bite. This can be summarised in Kendal Shepherd’s Ladder of Aggression. The Dog’s Trust and The Blue Dog both have useful resources for teaching children how to interact safely with dogs.

Dogs are wonderful companions, particularly during this stressful time. They can bring a lot of fun and love into a home however it is important to understand how to interact with them, ensuring everyone in the family is safe and happy.

Resources:

Blue Cross advice on dogs and lockdown

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/coronavirus-indoor-dog-games

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/coronavirus-and-dogs

Booklet by Alison Scott “ HOW TO REDUCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS IN OUR DOGS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PcOQFpaWQ81Bag8enPFy4M6_43Ly4rvJ/view

Dogs Trust https://www.learnwithdogstrust.org.uk/safety/

Blue Dog https://www.thebluedog.org/en/

Ladder of aggression https://www.kendalshepherd.com/the-canine-commandments/

Article on hospital admissions https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/news-and-events/media-centre/press-releases/be-dog-safe/

NHS dog bite statistics https://files.digital.nhs.uk/pdf/h/6/animal_bites_m12_1415.pdf

Introducing a dog to face masks https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-care/introducing-face-masks-to-dogs#:~:text=Start%20at%20home%20where%20your,treat%20is%20coming%20their%20way.