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Dogs Trust calls for better education on bite warning signs
Casper the Staffie cross helps Dogs Trust provide behaviour training sessions.
Three quarters of owners did not recognise dog body language.

Dogs Trust has called for dog owners to learn more about their dog’s body language as part of its ‘Bark to School’ campaign.

The charity believes that a better understanding of canine body language will teach owners the early warning signs of dog bites in order to reduce the number of incidents.

Dogs Trust has launched its campaign as the NHS reports a rise in admissions of dog-related injuries. The charity’s rehoming centres are also seeing an increase in relinquished pets, with a quarter of those being related to unwanted behaviour.

Statistics from Dogs Trust’s latest National Dog Survey revealed that 76 per cent of dog owners were failing to recognise the early warning signs that a dog might bite them. The survey found that 71 per cent wrongly believed that they were more likely to be bitten by a dog they didn’t know than their own pet.

However, the charity says that the majority of dog bites to children aged under 14 years were from dogs which they knew.

Dogs Trust suggests that the best way to prevent bite incidents is for dog owners to develop a better understanding of their dog’s body language. It says that owners should be aware of the early warning signs of distress, including their ears going back, body becoming tense or their tail tucking under.

However, dog owners may also be missing other warning signs that a dog has become uncomfortable or worried.

For example, a common misconception is that a dog rolling over always means they want a belly rub, when it can also mean they are feeling uncomfortable and need space. Seventy-six per cent of respondents failed to identify this as a warning sign.

Two thirds of respondents did not know that a dog yawning means that they are worried and need space.

Other common behaviour signs which were misinterpreted include dogs licking their lips with their ears pulled back (59 per cent) and dogs licking their lips and turning their head away (53 per cent). Approximately a third of those surveyed thought that a dog wagging its tail meant they were always happy, when it can communicate many different emotions.

Maria Murray, associate director of prevention and community engagement at Dogs Trust, said: “Very often, dog bites in the home are preceded by what can be seen as harmless interactions, such as cuddling, hugging, or kissing the dog.

“But while we might like these things, our dogs don’t necessarily agree and will try to tell us through their body language.”

Dogs Trust hosts Dog School classes, a free Behaviour Support Line and has advice available on its website.

Image © Dogs Trust

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Farmer survey to reveal on-farm impact of bluetongue

A nationwide survey has been launched to better understand how the bluetongue virus is affecting UK farms.

Results will inform the support that farmers receive for bluetongue, as well as preparing the livestock industry for the future.

The short online survey is open to all livestock farmers, regardless of whether they've had a confirmed case of bluetongue on their farm. It asks how many animals have been affected, the severity of their clinical signs and how it has impacted farm business.

The survey takes five minutes to complete and is fully anonymous.

It is led by Fiona Lovatt, of Flock Health Limited, and the Ruminant Health & Welfare bluetongue working group, in collaboration with AHDB and the University of Nottingham.

Dr Lovatt says: "We need to find out what level of clinical signs farmers are seeing in their animals, whether they are experiencing mortality with BTV-3 cases, and what their appetite is to vaccinate in future for bluetongue serotype 3."

The survey can be found here.