Bark Busters

The typical home contains a myriad of potential hazards. Some houseplants, household items and foods have the capacity to harm our pets. In most cases, the size of the dog will play a role in the toxic severity of the item-the smaller the dog, the greater the potential impact. Below is a list of the most common toxic household items. If your dog ingests any of these, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Plants
Some plants found in and around the home can pose a potential threat to our four-legged friends. If you have any of these plants, consider moving them out of reach or removing them altogether. Sometimes the scent or texture of a plant will entice our dogs to nibble them. Even a dead, dry plant can cause harm to your dogs. Click Here for a list of the most common toxic household plants.

Household Items
Some of our everyday products can be harmful to our dogs if they are ingested or even if they come in contact with their skin. Make your home a safe and healthy environment by keeping these items out of reach. Click Here for a list of the most common toxic household items.

Foods
While it is sometimes fun to share bits of our food, there are some foods you should never give to your dog. Click Here for a list of some potentially hazardous foods.

Prevention is the key to keeping your home safe and healthy for your dog. Knowing ahead of time what can harm your dog will aid you if an emergency does occur. Removing these potentially hazardous products can prove to be the best option in avoiding an emergency. However, if your dog does come in contact with any of these substances, it's important to stay calm. Don't panic. Most of these toxins cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, lethargy and/or depression. If treated quickly, there are usually no long-term effects. However, some of these toxins may have harsher side effects, such as tremors, seizures, liver and kidney failure, heart abnormalities, and even death. In an emergency, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible; he or she will have all the tools needed to diagnose and treat your dog. If it is after hours, you can contact poison control or your local animal emergency center. With proper precautions, you will be able to avoid an emergency.

NOTE: For additional safety, always check with your veterinarian for other toxic items and dangers common to your area.

Yes, dog attacks can be avoided. Regrettably, most media stories of dog attacks on people -- especially children -- focus on the injuries caused rather than what could and should be done to avoid such incidents in the future.

Bark Busters has compiled this information to help you avoid being bitten or seriously injured by a dog.

Most people are bitten by dogs because they misread the dog's intentions or react the wrong way when the dog approaches. Dogs have poor eyesight and, therefore, have to come very close to assess something. A dog seeing something moving past his yard will most likely bark and growl, which is his way of instilling fear in his foe; then he will run at the person. The dog needs to get very close to scent what it is, and this is when people usually get bitten. Instead of stopping and allowing the dog to sniff them, most people think the dog is trying to get close to bite them, and they kick out at the dog or run. All this does, however, is make the dog retaliate and attack.

The best way to avoid an attack by a dog you see running at you is to stand totally still. Do not move a muscle, and do not try to pat the dog. Even some dogs that appear friendly might not like being touched. Wait for the dog to lose interest in you.

Some dogs love food above all else. By carrying some doggy treats around with you, you could avoid being bitten by dropping the food on the ground and remaining still. Do not hand feed the dog. Keep your eye on the dog but do not stare. Dogs do not like to be stared at as they view it as threatening.

If you are knocked to the ground by a dog DO NOT ATTEMPT TO GET BACK UP. LIE TOTALLY STILL, ROLL YOURSELF UP INTO A FETAL POSITION AND STAY THERE. The dog is looking for a victory, and if you keep trying to get back up, it will only result in the dog trying to pull you back down, resulting in a vicious attack.

Bark Busters takes no responsibility for injuries incurred to you or your dog as the result of the training information presented here.

Here are some suggestions for keeping your canine friends entertained and out of mischief.

· Bungy Bouncer: Hang a bungy cord from a tree branch or an overhanging beam. Tie a favorite toy to the end so that the toy hangs about six inches higher than your dog's head. The breeze will cause the toy to move and catch your dog's attention. As he bites it and pins it to the ground, the toy will spring upwards. You can also tie tennis balls in an old pair of pantyhose and hang it over the dog's head or tie it to the kennel. A rope hanging from a tree, knotted and frayed at the end will move with the wind and attract the dog.

· Buster Cube (available from Bark Busters): This award-winning dog toy is a great distraction. Fill the toy with dry kibble. As your dog rolls it around on the ground, the kibble falls out from multiple compartments. This motivates your dog work for his food, keeping a brain-active dog busy for hours.

· Scatter Feeding: Turn feeding into a treasure hunt. Scatter a variety of foods (such as whole carrots, celery, peas, broccoli, beans, apples, bananas and mushrooms) around the yard when you leave. This gives your dog something to forage for as well as some nutritious food to chew on (rather than your wooden lawn furniture). You can also scatter his dry food around the yard. Some items (especially raw, meaty bones or dried liver bits) can be hidden in a digging pit, such as a child's wading pool filled with sand.

· Knotted Puzzle: Take an old sheet or towel and cut one piece into a small square. Place a few dry dog biscuits or treats in the center of the square. Gather the sheet around the biscuits and tie it into knots. Dangle the knotted biscuits in front of your dog's nose and entice him to play. Place these "knots" around the yard. Once your dog has worked out how to rip the sheet to get the biscuits, you can make the task harder by tying more layers of sheet around the biscuits or wrapping them in a thicker fabric, such as an old towel.

· Kong Toys: This durable rubber toy has a hollow center that can be stuffed with delectables like cheese, peanut butter, kibble or dried liver. Seal the ends with a biscuit to make it harder to get the goodies inside. Fill it with food then freeze to give your dog "Kongsicles" to enjoy.

How does your dog rate?

Find out your dog's behavior rating.

Try this quiz and see! Dog Behavioral Quiz.

Do you want to share a picture of your favorite pet? Sent a photo to My pets picture Tell us your pets name and where the picture was taken. Put My favorite pet in the subject line.