WorldWide Drilling Resource

60 AUGUST 2013 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Get the Facts on Dog Attacks Adapted from Information by News and Experts It happens all the time. You are on a jobsite when all of a sudden an unfamiliar dog walks up. What should you do? According to dog behaviorist Melissa Berryman, author of People Training for Good Dogs , a lot of people share common misconceptions about dog and human relationships. Here are five common myths and the actual facts about dog and human interactions: Myth 1 - When greeting a new dog, you should extend your hand for it to sniff. Fact - Dogs don’t sniff each other’s paws when meeting for the first time. Much like their human counterparts, they like to be asked before being touched by a stranger. What should you do? In addition to asking the dog’s owner for permission, ask the dog by tapping your hand on your thigh. This simulates a wagging tail and the dog will either nuzzle you for attention, sniff to get to know you better, or stay away from you altogether. Myth 2 - Breed dictates tempera- ment. Fact - Dogs are predatory canines which live in groups called packs. Breeds are simply generalizations which enable breeders to market the product they sell. What actually dictates temperament is the dog’s position in the pack and the role you play in the pack. Dogs have superior and inferior interrelationships and act accordingly. Myth 3 - When a dog charges at you, there is nothing you can do. Fact - When a dog charges you, he is actually trying to decide if you are a friend, foe, or prey. Although dogs have a great sense of smell, they have poor eyesight; so hats, sunglasses, and other objects you carry can scare or startle them. What should you do? Act like a friend and pretend you are not afraid (fake it if you have to). Stand facing the dog with a relaxed body and tap your thigh with your hand. Using a high-pitched voice, offer a friendly greeting like “good girl”. Myth 4 - Only bad dogs owned by bad people bite. Fact - Any dog can bite, especially when it feels threatened, is exposed to prey behavior, or thinks someone is threatening its resources, such as its food, toys, bedding, and the attention of its owner. Myth 5 - Posting a Beware of Dog sign will protect you from liability if your dog injures someone on your property. Fact - Dogs can’t read signs, they read body language and these signs may cause people to react to your dog in a fearful manner. This is more likely to cause your dog to consider visi- tors prey and bite them. What should you do? Use No Trespassing and Dog at Play signs instead. So the next time you encounter a new dog, remember these tips and try to understand how the dog is viewing your actions. Photo courtesy of smartsign.com Cadmium, a metal used to make thin film solar cells, is mined in Mexico, the U.S.A., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Kazakhstan, India, Russia, China, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.