Dog Bites, Fights, and Owning Multiple Dogs

About 4.7 million dog bites happen a year, according to the American Humane Association. But what statistics don't show is how many bites a year could have been prevented? There really needs to be more education and resources for the Average Joe on how to read what dogs are trying to subtly tell us. This chart from Boogie the Boston Terrier's blog is one I'm really fond of.

Just because a dog bites DOES NOT mean that they are aggressive, in often cases the dogs are so stressed or scared, that they are pushed over their threshold and they react the only way they know how. To bite. If you've ever been bitten by a dog, excluding any out of the blue occurrences, whose fault was it? I bet you 9/10 times signals were missed, or misinterpreted.  

 With owning multiple dogs, fights are something that's just gonna happen. The pack have had their arguments between themselves over the years, only one occurrence did we actually have to seek medical attention. I've also been bitten a fair number of times. Twice that I can recall when I accidentally backed a dog into a corner, ignored the hints, and was told to STFU HUMAN! But most of the time it's when I stick my hands into the middle of the Bash Brothers - Stryder and Lincoln.

I got a fair reminder this evening to not stick my hands near the sharp end when breaking up a fight. No punctures, but my thumb got chomped pretty good, and will be sore for a few days. This could've been easily prevented if I had, like any sane human would, not gotten near the sharp end (or shoved my hand into someone's mouth - sorry Stryder!). The majority of the time I do get bit is due to them redirecting onto me. I do not fault them for this, again it's just one of those things that happens.

Fights in general can be prevented, if you know your dogs triggers. Lincoln's trigger is food. If one of the other dogs get too close to anything he deems a possible food source (like the trash can), I better be handy. Tsuki and Kiba have their little Alpha Bitch scuffles. The Schnauzers don't start fights, but then again won't back down from one (it's a breed/terrier thing). These are all easily prevented by being vigilant when food stuffs is out, that the girls aren't guarding me one another one, and that any grrring with Schnauzers involved is dealt with quickly.

Hopefully someone out there will find this useful. Or just take it as a 3 am rambling of a girl covered in dog hair.

We're Still Here!!

Not a whole lot has happened since I last posted, but I'm back and there's nothing you can do to keep me away! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Anyways... here's a general recap on what's been going on here at Casa de SHK9s:

• Poodles tried committing suicide by eating a bag of m&m. A couple of teaspoons of peroxide and they are none to worse for the wear (though the couch could say different).
• If her stuffies are taken away, Charlie will resort to sucking the comforter 
• Kiba and I ran at the EMAC trial in February and Q'd 3/4 runs, finishing her CL3-R and CL3-H "titles". Only 5 Qs away from her CL3!!
• The dogs suck at folding laundry

The SugarHigh K9's Blog

Finally decided it was time to start a Blog for the dogs. I want to Blog about everything the SugarHighK9s do this year, and many more years to come. Right now our primary focus is Agility with Tricks and general oddness thrown in. We plan on trying Rally-O at some point this year, and perhaps some Weight Pull and Dock Diving thrown in.

Now for the introductions:

Kiba, born 7/12/04 is a black Miniature Schnauzer. My HeartDog, my Rockstar. She is always up for anything, and lives to play Agility. She currently holds a CL2 and CL3-F titles in CPE Agility, and has a few Qs in AKC. Plans for Kiba this year: Obtain her CATCH

Stryder, born 1/4/06 is a black Miniature Schnauzer. My Babyboy, he is Kiba's 1/2 brother, though nothing like his sister. Very high drive, though missing a few fries from his Happy Meal. He is dubbed "Uncle Stryder" as he just LOVES the rest as puppies, almost motherly. Plans for Stryder this year: Agility, Weight Pull, and maybe Flyball.

Tsuki, born 11/14/08 is a silver Toy Poodle. The Charmer, she is hands down, the sweetest dog I've ever met. Don't let her size or breed fool you, she is a kickass little spitfire. Often times she is beating up one of her brothers and giving Kiba a run for her money. Plans for Tsuki is year: Agility

Lincoln, born 11/27/08 is a red Miniature Poodle. The NaughtyDog. No obstacle is too high, nor can anything be left untouched. He makes me laugh everyday. The odd dog out, the Orange Blur, I have high hopes for him. Plans for Lincoln: Agility

Charlie, born 1/29/11 is at best guess, a Border Collie/Terrier mix. The Beast. Fast, smart, drivey, with an off switch. Plans for Charlie this year: Started in Agility and Dock Diving