State Farm names Top 10 states for dog bite claims

I just going to hit the nuts and bolts of this article I read in DVM Magazine about dog bites.  I want to throw my 2 cents worth in first.  I do feel that there are good and bad dogs, but I often find they are strongly influenced by good and bad dog owners.  In my experience its usually the humans fault they get bite, most dogs warn people several times before they bite (I have had an occasional dog that gives no warning, but its very rare).  It is just that most people don't understand those warnings.  I think everyone can be a good dog owner, they just need some guidance from their veterinarian and a recommended dog trainer.  Dog training classes are more about 'people' training than they are dog training. 

-State Farm paid more than $109 Million as a result of 3,800 dog bite claims filed in 2011.

-Insurers across the country paid nearly $479 million in total dog bite claims in 2011.

-Almost 5 million people are bitten or attacked each year.  Children and senior are the most frequent victims, with children accounting for half of those victims.

-Children between the ages of 5 to 9 are the most often bitten, and usually by a dog in their own household

-State Farm reports that a dog's tendency to bite depends on several factors, hereditary, training, socialization, and the victims behavior.  There are aggressive and non-aggressive dogs within every breed.

-Your veterinarian can help you choose a dog that is a good match for your family.

-'When Pet Meets Baby', a free down loadable book from the American Humane Association that helps with introducing your pet to the new baby.  When Pet Meets Baby

-Safety Tips:
  1.  Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog
  2.  Always be on the lookout for unleashed animals and potentially dangerous situations
  3.  Educate all children, including toddlers, to be calm and careful around all pets.
  4.  Tell children they should never approach strange dogs.
  5.  Make sure children ask an owner's permission before petting any dog.

Top 10 States for Dog Bite Claims:

More information:
State Farm Learning Center:  www.statefarm.com/dogbites
American Humane Association:  www.americanhumane.org

Suggestions on Giving Your Dog Pills

This is the age old problem, trying to get your dog to take its pills everyday.  Some dogs like mine will eat their pills in just about anything and happily ask for more.  But I often hear about dogs that have a more delicate palate or maybe that are just smarter than my dogs! They refuse their pills hid in just about everything!  So I have compiled a short list of suggestions for giving pills.

1.  Pill Pockets:  These are just about the coolest new treat out there.  I soooo wish I had thought of them first!  I would be sipping an umbrella drink on the beach right now! They are a soft-stinky treat that is shaped into a bucket that the pill fit down in.  Most dogs I know just love them!  They come in several different flavors.

2.  Peanut butter:  I have many clients swear by this.  They just put the pill in some and the dog eats it right down. My one word of caution here is to not let your dog eat it off a spoon.  If you remember on my 'They Ate What?" post there were several spoons that were swallowed. 

3.  3- Treat Trick:  I think of this like the ball under the cup trick.  Confuse the dog with several treats so they can't figure out which one has the pill.  You can use cheese (sliced or velvetta) or hot dogs (if your dog's stomach can handle them).  Have 3 pieces of treat, hiding the pill in the second piece, don't let the dog see which treat.  Give your dog the first (unloaded) treat.  Then give the second (loaded) treat and hold the third (unloaded) treat in front of the dogs face, the dog is usually so excited about the third treat the second treat goes down un-harmed by chewing. 

4.  Canned dog food:  The key here is to use the pate kind of food, not the gravy kind.  Canned food is trial and error.  You must find a food that the dog likes FIRST!  Make sure the dog will eat it and then put the pill in it.  Most pills are ruined if they remain in canned food for more than a few seconds.

5.  Open dog mouth and put pill down throat method:  This is a tried and true method, that will work if all else falls.  2 keys pieces to remember:  Don't do this if your dog will bite you AND you got to get the pill past the rise/bump in the tongue. 

***The last bit of advice I can give you is to make medication time exciting!  Act like your dog is doing the greatest thing by taking those pills.  Get excited about giving the treats and get your dog excited, you are going to have to use your high-pitched cheerleader voice here!***

HAPPY PILL-ING!!

Navy-trained Dolphins and Sea Lions

 

An NMMP sea lion attaches a recovery line
 to a piece of test equipment during training

The Navy has a Marine Mammal Program that trains and treats about 75 dolphins and 25 sea lions.  The program was started in the 1960's in California.  They have nearly 60 animal trainers and 8 veterinarians on staff to care for all these animals.



Animal Trainer Elaine Aleen and Sam Ridgway, DVM
perform a health check on Navy dolphin



These animals were first studied because of their speed in the water.  It was thought these animals could serve as a blue print for faster submarines, torpedoes and ships.  The researchers soon found that the dolphins cooperative and intelligent nature made them easily trainable for a variety of underwater tasks.  They could carry equipment or rescue lines to divers.  They helped in Vietnam by hunting for enemy swimmers who were blowing up barges and ammo ships.  Then in Operation Iraqi Freedom they were deployed to clear underwater mines.  Amazing!!!

The animals are currently trained to hunt mines in San Diego Harbor.  After just a few exercises the animals know exactly where the fake mines are.  The dolphins like to be challenged and exercise new skills, so this is just another game to them.  It takes about three years before the dolphins are ready for real-life mine hunting.   I was very surprised to learn that no dolphin has ever been lost in the line of duty!  This is due to the extenisive training and careful, particular protocols the animals follow. 



A mammal handler brushing the teeth of a Bottlenose
dolphin in the well deck aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44)



Researchers are currently building underwater drones to replace the dolphins duties at sea.  No fear though, the Marine Mammal Foundation was created in 2007 to care for this animals after their military career has come to and end.  These animals are seen as veterans, some have served for over 40 years!

NMMP dolphins, such as the one pictured here
wearing a locating pinger, performed mine clearance
work in the Persian Gulf during the Iraq War

 

Personnel attending four dolphins
during a flight aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.