In this episode, we discuss dog attacks. We review the risks and frequency of dog attacks on people nationwide. How to take precautions to avoid unnecessary risks, and several self-defense options with a good chance of working.
Not a day goes by without dogs seriously injuring and, in many cases killing people somewhere in the United States. These stories make the local news where they happen but rarely make the national news. People get mauled by stray dogs or dogs that broke out of yards. Small children get killed by family dogs or neighbor dogs. Some people get partially eaten by dogs. Every day there is another horrific story.
These stories horrify anyone who reads or sees them. To me, as professional dog trainer, they have an additional element of sadness. None of these things would have to happen. Of course, some people are just irresponsible dog owners, which can lead to horrific outcomes, but many of these events indicate a deeper problem. Too many people have lost touch with nature. Many years ago, a former client told me his dog wanted to play with a squirrel when he was chasing it. When I told him it was more likely that the dog would have killed the squirrel if he had caught it, the person was in disbelief. The idea of their dog being a predator who enjoys chasing prey was foreign to him. I was speechless. Of course, I know Golden Retrievers who very well may want to play with squirrels without harming them, but that is not the norm.
I am not writing about this to make anyone afraid of their dog. There is no need for that. But I do want to encourage everyone to understand the nature of dogs and learn to live with them in harmony and peace. Dogs are predators and enjoy predatory activities, regardless of breed. That is why play-based training is so powerful. It gives dogs an outlet for their genetic drives and makes them happy, satisfied, and much more fun to live with.
We are located in Southern California and train dogs nationwide. Happy Dog Training currently offers local dog training services in the following counties. Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Los Angeles County, and San Diego County. In addition, we offer our board-and-train program nationwide and all virtual training services worldwide.
Do you want your new puppy trained right from the start? Are you looking for help for your fearful dog? Do you need to resolve a severe aggression problem? You came to the right place! We are experienced, professional dog trainers. Ralf has trained over 1500 dogs in over 18 years, and Sarah has trained over 1200 dogs in over 11 years. Consequently, we can help you with any dog training goal.
We can help you, regardless of your dog's challenges or training goals. Being a professional dog trainer means having experience, knowledge, and skill. Further, we developed a highly effective training program to specifically help fearful dogs gain more confidence and become the best possible version of themselves. Building Confidence is our second most popular training program.
Last but not least, we are experts in dealing with all types of aggression in dogs and are often the trainers of last resort after many other programs have failed. Most of our aggressive dog clients previously spent significant money on half-baked solutions without much improvement. This is different from us. We will give you an honest assessment of what goals are realistic for your dog. We will tell you what can be resolved reliably and what likely needs to be managed before we start.
Our flagship product is our board and train program. But our virtual dog training and coaching services have become quite popular over the last couple of years. Our setup enables us to deliver online dog training services from our indoor and outdoor training areas. This allows us to help clients worldwide.
Finally, once you're ready to move forward, please use our dog training contact form to schedule a free phone consultation or book a paid, in-person consultation.