The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Wednesday March 28, 2001 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER B1 ALOHA SPRING SALE We 3aHthe brightest colours will need to look jok fid this season. Through the end of the month. Save 19% off any one item and give your wardrobe the jump start it needs this spnng. Upscale Resale Ladies Wear iS t 115 T rafalgar Rd. ( j« t N. oflakeshore) 338-3474 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK J|psr OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR OF THE OAKVILLE WATERFRONT FESTIVAL By Consignment... Open Seven Days `W ho let th e do£s bite?' Dog lovers need to understand animal's instinct By Mary-Louise Langlois S P E C IA L TO T H E BEAVER Photo by Riziero Vertolli Rob DeVries of the Oakville Humane Society gets his face licked by Zac. Is a dog a lovable family pet, or dangerous threat? Perhaps both of the above -- depending upon the conditions and the environment a dog is raised in. Much of the answer lies in the hands of the dog owner, and the training a dog receives. People rely on dogs for friendship and companionship. Dogs long for attention and belonging. But what happens when dogs attack? Media coverage of - albeit infre quent - such attacks reminds us that dogs can cause harm. The answer is not throwing out the puppy with the bath water. Dogs haven't changed. But some dog owners need to, according to the experts. "The public needs to understand that although dogs are domesticated animals Photo courtesy of Dealing W ith Dogs Judy Emmert of Dealing With Dogs, with Her dog Dynna. they all still possess innate instincts that issue of aggressive dogs. pose a degree of threat to people Emmert's classes aren't only puppy education, but people training, too. regardless of breed. The environment She is adamant that children need to dogs are exposed to will ultimately understand how to interact with dogs. determine the threat they pose to oth ers," says veterinarian Dr. Matthew Not only their own pets, but those of others. Croskery of the Oakville Animal Clinic. Emmert stresses Colleen Gyergyai, `A// dogs are going to there are some impor animal control officer of bite if given the the Oakville Humane tant basics to keep in Society, says there were opportunity. As own mind in terms of avoiding situations that 104 reported animal bites ers we all need to last year. "Fifty per cent manage our d o g ' s life lead to dog bites. of those bites were given Control children's so that it is never in a behaviour around dogs. to humans, the others situation where it can Teach them to respect animal to animal," she cause harm. ' the animals and their says. The bites occurred - Judy Emmert space. Children receiv most frequently to postal ing bites may have done something as simple as having reached and delivery people, often children delivering newspapers. Not all bites, for the dog's collar. To a dog this can be perceived as an aggressive act. however, are reported. Teach children what to do in the When a bite is reported to the presence of a strange dog. Always ask Oakville Humane Society they in turn notify the Halton Region Health the dog's owner if it is alright to Department. The owner is required, approach the dog. Give the dog the opportunity to smell the child's hand if after one reported bite, to have its dog it does appear to be friendly. Keep a muzzled when in public. The dog owner has a right to appeal. close eye and ear. If the dog isn't inter ested, don't push it. A wagging tail Judy Emmert, owner of Dealing With Dogs, a dog training school based doesn't necessarily mean a dog is in Oakville, stresses the importance of friendly. Early education - for the dog and teaching bite inhibition to puppies -- family. All family members need to and the earlier the better -- optimally, before 18 weeks of age. know how to control the pet. Early socialization for the dog. It "All dogs are going to bite if given needs to be comfortable with other dogs the opportunity. As owners we all need to manage our dog's life so that it is and humans - in different situations. never in a situation where it can cause This will help the dog learn to adapt to harm." the unknown and therefore not be fear While some communities want to ful. Emmert says dogs often respond ban specific breeds, Emmert and to fearful situations with aggressive behaviour. Croskery aren't sure that that is neces sarily the best way to deal with the (S e e `D og ow nership . . pa ge B3) Photo by Peter C. McCusker Dr. Matthew Croskery of the Oakville Animal Clinic with Justice clinic assistant Rachel Drake. On The Spot! CARPET C LEA NIN G SPECIALISTS FREE IN-HOME CONSULTATION Residential & commercial carpet & upholstery cleaning In-plant cleaning of all oriental & fine area rugs Water damage restoration. Free estimates Save with our 25% drop-off discount 2400 Wyecroft Rd., Unit 12, Oakville (Just East off Hwy. #25) (2 doors west from our current location) · 9 0 5 -8 4 2 -5 0 6 1 ... installation always available 825-4256