13 minute read
Lifestyle
Avoiding dog bites in children
When a dog bites a child, the surrounding adults are in shock as often it appeared to be ‘unprovoked’. Usually however, there are behavioural cues from the dog that can be identified well before the actual bite takes place.
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All dogs have the capability of biting, even if there are no previous signs of aggression. This form of self-preservation is more common if a dog is placed in a fearful situation. While big dogs may produce a bigger bite, do not underestimate the power of a toy breed’s jaw, especially as smaller dogs can sometimes feel overwhelmed and bite in fear of their own life!
Spending some time learning about how to properly read a dog’s mood can prevent dog bites occurring.
Learn to read ‘doggy body language’
Before and during any dog-child interaction, look for loose, relaxed body movement. I refer to this as a ‘floppy’ dog appearance – as though the whole dog is wagging, not just the tail. This is known as the green zone.
When a dog becomes unsure and uncomfortable in a situation, this is known as the orange zone. It is important to watch out for this body language, as it may be unsafe for a child to interact with them. Signs include: • Licking • Yawning • Barking (can be a sign of anxiety) • Ears positioned back against the head • Stiffened body position (tail may still be wagging) • Whites of the eyes becoming more obvious • Lip lifting • Growling • Snapping The orange zone can quickly progress to the red zone, where the dog is highly aroused, fearful and can no longer think clearly. Signs include: • Excessive barking • Lunging • Biting • Freezing (with fear)
Red flags in puppy behaviour
If a puppy is consistently showing orange or red zone signs indicating anxiety, see your vet for a behaviour assessment. It is vital to act quickly, as the sooner the problem is identified, the better the outcome.
Factors that contribute to an increased risk of behavioural abnormalities include: • Puppies hand-reared alone • Puppies with anxious parents (genetic)
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• Puppies separated from their mother before 6 weeks of age • Puppies bred in an environment which lacks stimulation
Is training the solution?
The socialisation period for puppies is 3 to 12 weeks of age (sometimes up to 14 weeks), so the ideal time to attend puppy classes is from 8-12 weeks of age. It is too late to wait until your puppy has been fully vaccinated (usually by 16 weeks).
If your dog has behavioural issues, please organise a consultation with your vet rather than googling a solution. There are many outdated techniques online.
Behavioural issues are not always able to be solved through training alone - in fact, attempting to train a dog in an anxious state can be futile and may even make the situation worse. See your vet to determine whether your dog has a clinical behavioural problem (which needs veterinary help), or a behaviour which can be addressed by a trainer.
Before choosing a trainer, visit www.dogwelfarecampaign.org. Trainers who have completed Delta Society modules and workshops and use positive training methods are my first preference.
Improving safety around dogs
• Never allow children to be near a dog that is eating - putting a child between them and their food is a recipe for disaster. • Hugging is not understood by dogs. It is heavily encroaching into their personal space and children need to learn to respect this, approaching them in a non-threatening and quiet manner, rather than with an unpredictable and overbearing greeting. • Always ask the dog’s owner if your child is allowed to pat their dog. • Never play with a dog without their owner watching and never enter a dog’s yard without their owner present. • Be careful not to surprise a sleeping dog. • Don’t allow children to play with a litter of puppies near the mother, especially if she is still feeding them as she may be very protective. • Ensure your children interact quietly and carefully with dogs and don’t get too overexcited or noisy. • Respect a dog’s decision to move away. Do not chase them.
Protecting your children from dog bites
Remember that 77% of dog bites come from the family dog or a friend’s dog. There is a wonderful YouTube video that all parents should watch, so they can help their children learn how to better interact with dogs. Visit www.stopthe77.com.
The Australian Veterinary Association also has excellent resources on their website www.ava.com.au/polite-pets. Click on the preventing dog bites point and then download the factsheets by Dr Sophia Yin, veterinary behaviourist.
If you are considering getting a puppy and you have children, I would highly recommend “Perfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to start your puppy off right” by Dr Sophia Yin, available from www.drsophiayin.com
The rhythm of life
My memories of a cherry blossom spring in Japan have receded as I cruise slowly down the Mississippi. I have always wanted to do this trip, my desire initiated by Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Almost 40 years ago I lived in Japan and the previous occupants of the apartment I moved into had left behind that book - the only book - and I was thirsty for anything to read in English...
As is often the way on our group tours, a few of our golf clients suggested they too would like to cruise the Missisippi and play golf along the way. So several months of research later, I find myself here with a group of 32 enthusiasts, not all of them golfers, but all equally eager to learn more and experience life on the third biggest river system in the world.
Our vessel is the most modern on the river. However in the quest for authenticity, the decor mimics what you might expect in the South – gracious flounces frame the windows, the dining room (with tables for four, six and eight) is chandelier lit and elegant in typical antebellum style. Think Gone With the Wind, except for the plumbing, and bedrooms which are modern, very well-designed and relatively spacious. And that fire engine red paddlewheel out back? Well it certainly looks pretty kicking up gentle splashes but does nothing to propel the riverboat!
Despite my apprehension that meals would offer little departure from deepfried food, my tastebuds and waistline are pleasantly surprised to be enjoying fresh salads, and main courses that include baked, grilled and braised meats and fish with a variety of sauces. It seems irreligious to ignore the wonderful Cajun alternatives.... delish. Pluck an apple or banana from one of the many bowls around the boat, or be seduced by just-baked cookies. You can eat well or badly as is your want.
Not that the food department is without its problems. We Australian coffee snobs have had to compromise with a coffee pod machine, the only alternative to drip filter ‘American coffee’. However we drew the line at drinking Yellow Tail, and given our group comprised 20% of the riverboat’s complement, the quality of the included wines has been upgraded!
So what about the onboard experience? Well, so far we’ve been pleasantly surprised. The staff, all American of course and novel for those of us who cruise a lot, cannot do enough to look after the guests. They are friendly, helpful and sincerely hospitable. Gratuities are not expected (they are included in the cruise fare) and this makes it easy for everyone, particularly the Australian contingent.
On our first night we enjoyed a fabulous concert by Dan & Eddie, a duet who play banjos and double base (and at one point during the show, a saw). They are true entertainers – great voices; musically very talented, funny and engaging; and versatile. Finding out that there were 34 Aussies onboard, they ended their show with a very rousing version of Waltzing Matilda which might sound corny to you, my reader, but was a lot of fun for everyone. There is music each night, and all of it is excellent.
This being the deep south where people are very religious, the Cruise Directors (a recorded opera singer and his pianist wife) led a Sunday hymn service attended by nearly half of the guests, myself included. The sky didn’t fall in, the singing was enthusiastic, and it was most pleasant and quite appropriate to be gliding down the river doing as the southerners would do on a Sunday morning.
Prior to each offshore excursion to the historic cities of Vicksburg, Natchez, St Francis and Baton Rouge enroute to New Orleans - there are onboard lectures that detail the battles, the politics, the geography and more to make us all the more knowledgeable about what we are exploring. The lectures and the guides are bringing the river to life for us.
It is altogether a wonderful cruise. And if you are looking for something very different to the European river cruises that dominate our travel media, I can heartily endorse a Mississippi cruise. On the right boat of course, as not all cruises are created equal. Bookended by Memphis and New Orleans it will be one of your most memorable trips for sure. I’d be happy to facilitate this for you.
TRAVEL Adrienne Witteman, Managing Director, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre.
AUCTION 12/05/18 AUCTION 5/05/18
12 Gatacre Avenue, Lane Cove 6 Bed 4 Bath 2 Car 13 Panorama Road, Lane Cove 4 bed 2 bath 1 car
A rare and versatile dual landholding, this impressive 744sqm approx block presents a unique opportunity to purchase two completely private fully self-contained homes with the option to reconfigure to a single substantial family residence.
Jozef Seremet 0468 561 664 Paul Nees 0432 995 847
With elevated leafy vistas from almost every room, this impeccably revamped oasis offers a lifestyle of privacy and complete convenience. Easy walk to schools; moments to village shops and footsteps to express City buses.
Paul Nees 0432 995 847 Pearl Todd 0410 470 107
AUCTION 12/05/18 at 9.45am
6 Avalon Avenue, Lane Cove 5 bed 3 bath 3 car Open: Sat & Wed 10.30 – 11am
• Stylish family home in cul-de-sac near LC West Public School • O/plan kitchen and dining, media room, with study nook • Northeast entertainment terrace, level lawn and heated swimming pool
Simon Harrison 0433 100 150 Jess Goodman 0401 888 555 AUCTION 19/05/18 at 9.45am
28 Huntleys Point Road, Huntleys Point 5 bed 3 bath 2 car Open: Sat 3 - 3.30pm & Wed 5.30 - 6pm
• Contemporary elegance. Harbour Bridge and city skyline views • Spacious living/dining rooms; approx. 50sqm spectacular rooftop • Separate living room, poolside entertaining, flexible professional home office or teenage retreat
Simon Harrison 0433 100 150 George Gialouris 0411 706 306
belle property hunters hill 3/52-56 gladesville road, hunters hill 9817 7729 belle property lane cove 158 longueville road, lane cove 9087 3333
FOR SALE
Contact agent for details
1/92 Burlington St Crows Nest 3 bed 2 bath 2 car
Unique warehouse conversion in sought after location. Small block of 6 with high ceilings, generous rooms, a wonderful roof top terrace, large secure double tandem garage and 282 sqm on title. Pet friendly.
Bernadette Hayes 0431 558 505
FOR SALE
Contact agent for details
Arguably the best one-bedder in Crows Nest. Sits high on the escarpment with gorgeous dusk & city views from the generous balcony. Quiet side of building. Short walk to Crows Nest Village. Approx. 97 sqm. Pet friendly.
Bernadette Hayes 0431 558 505
Initiating a Practical Response to Loneliness
A LANE COVE PILOT STUDY
GUEST SPEAKER Dr Michelle Lim Loneliness hurts and is not specific to any particular age group. Dr Michelle Lim will outline current scientific evidence in loneliness research showing it to be a major and increasing health issue, not just a social one. Why in today’s society is it challenging to develop meaningful social connections and what are the implications?
How can our community Loneliness hurts and is not specific to any particular age group. Loneliness hurts raise awareness of this problem? Dr Michelle Lim will outline current scientific evidence in loneliness research showing it to and is not specific How can you be involved?health issue, not just a social one. Why in today’s society is it to any particular challenging to develop meaningful social connections Lane Cove has a partnership with loneliness researchers as part of a national network and and what are the implications?age group. has been invited to participate in a Loneliness Pilot study. Michelle will introduce this study to us and invite our involvement.
Q & A session to follow.
How can our community raise awareness of this problem?
How can you be involved?
Lane Cove has a partnership with loneliness researchers as part of a national network and has been invited to participate in a Loneliness Pilot study. Michelle will introduce this study to us and invite our involvement.
raise awareness of this problem?
Date: Tuesday 29th May, 7.15pm - 9.00pm
Place: Terrace Function Room, Lower Ground level Lane Cove Community Hub, Pottery Lane. DATE: Tuesday 29th May, 7.15pm - 9.00pm PLACE: Terrace Function Room, Lower Ground level Lane Cove Community Hub, Pottery Lane. Lane Cove has a partnership with loneliness researchers as part of a national network and Pilot study. Michelle will introduce this 7.15pm - 9.00pm (3 hours free parking onsite at Little Street car park) (3 hours free parking onsite at Little Street car park) Light refreshments will be available on arrival. Terrace Function Room, Lower Ground level RSVP : Light refreshments will be available on arrival. By Friday 25th May to Lane Cove Community Hub, Pottery Lane. lanecoveuniting@bigpond.com or 9428 2240 . RSVP : B(3 hours free parking onsite at Little Street car park) y Friday 25th May to lanecoveuniting@bigpond.com or 9428 2240 .
Dr Michelle Lim is a Senior Lecturer and registered Clinical Psychologist. Michelle is the Chair of Dr Michelle Lim is a Senior Lecturer and registered Clinical Psychologist. Michelle is the Chair efreshments will be available on arrival. the Scientific Advisory Committee in the Australian Coalition to End Loneliness. She is the headof the Scientific Advisory Committee in the Australian Coalition to End Loneliness. She is the lanecoveuniting@bigpond.com or 9428 2240 . of the Social Connectedness laboratory at the Centre of Mental Health at Swinburne Universityhead of the Social Connectedness laboratory at the Centre of Mental Health at Swinburne of Technology. Her main research focus to date has been to develop evidence-based psychological interventions that can reduce loneliness in young people with mental ill health. University of Technology. Her main research focus to date has been to develop evidence-based psychological interventions that can reduce loneliness in young people with mental ill health.Lecturer and registered Clinical Psychologist. Michelle is the Chair of ommittee in the Australian Coalition to End Loneliness. She is the head of of Mental Health at Swinburne University of to date has been Presentation sponsored by Lane Cove Uniting Church and Lane Cove Municipal Councilto develop evidence-based psychological interventions that can reduce loneliness in young people with mental ill health.
