Honest HoundsA dog training duo have said pet attacks could be prevented with the right training and understanding of canine behaviours.
Jessie Montague and Jess Probst, who run Honest Hounds in Dundee, have launched an emergency tool kit to keep dogs with their families following a rise in attacks.
Ms Montague, who founded the community, set up the space after a lack of “trustworthy advice and judgemental spaces” had left her feeling overwhelmed while caring for a reactive dog.
With help from dog coach Jessica, the community offers support, training, and events to help owners better understand their pets.
It comes after new legislation was enforced earlier this year banning the sale, advertising, exchanging, or abandoning of XL bully dogs.
The legislation says it is still legal for current owners to keep their pets, but XL bullies must be muzzled and on a lead when in public.
“All dogs are capable of biting – especially when stressed”
Jessie Montague and Jess Probst
However, the pair said they have worked with biting incidents across all breeds and are working to set up “every single dog” for success by understanding their needs and behaviours.
“All dogs, regardless of breed, are capable of biting – especially when stressed. While different breeds have varying strengths and were bred for specific purposes, we’ve seen biting incidents across all breeds,” they said.
“Behaviour is beyond breed.”
The pair have since launched their emergency tool kit to help owners after receiving 110 requests from people looking to rehome their dogs in under two weeks.
Ms Montague said they have noticed common phrases used when people are giving up their dogs with a biting history.
“A lot of them say the behaviour is ‘unpredictable’ and ‘out of the blue’ when in reality dogs tend to show signs and subtle queues that owners aren’t seeing,” she said.
“There’s an unwritten language dogs have, so when bites or attacks happen, it can feel completely random.”
Ms Probst says the tool kit offers advice on how to change behaviours rather than mitigate situations, which is something many dog owners are taught to do.
Honest Hounds“We want people to stay with their dogs, put the work in with them, and get them back on track. Rescue centres are overflowing, and dogs are being euthanised,” she said.
“Attacks could be avoided with owners understanding of cues that trainers are professionally qualified to spot.”
Ms Probst shared that she had been working with a Hungarian Vizsla who had issues with its bowl being removed and would become aggressive.
“Owners came up with solutions to remove the dog from the room and even used a string on the bowl to move it, but that is mitigating the behaviour rather than changing it, which is possible,” she added.
Why has there been an increase in dog attacks?
As for the stark rise in dog attacks in recent months, Ms Probst said there are a number of factors, including people not understanding the breeds and meeting their needs.
“Times have changed. We allow behaviours that previously would’ve been corrected and tend to tolerate a lot more,” she said.
Honest HoundsMs Montague echoed these statements, adding that as many people added dogs to their families during the Covid pandemic, the community is now seeing dogs aged two to three who have not been socialised properly.
However, she added that Honest Hounds and its toolkit can help, saying: “Jess has been in the profession for 20 years, and we’ve run so many sessions and seen phenomenal progress with dogs and owners having amazing turnarounds.”
Ms Probst added: “I specialise in aggressive behaviour in dogs, and most of the time, they’ve seen multiple trainers and can’t be seen by a vet. It’s very serious. People think they can’t be changed, but they can, and the dogs don’t have to be killed.”
The pair say that many owners are being given the wrong advice, with many being told their pets will “grow out of biting behaviours”.
“If the dogs’ behaviours aren’t corrected and they go on practising that behaviour for years, they will never outgrow it. It becomes a habit which is harder to undo. That’s why we’re hoping to work with them as early as possible,” Ms Montague said.
“The dogs that are attacking are extremely stressed – they need to have their needs met just like humans to feel happy, healthy, and confident,” Ms Probst added.
The pair are offering weekly drop-ins for anyone needing advice and support with their pets.
The SSPCA has been contacted for comment.
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