Bark Busters Offers Free Resources for National Dog Bite Prevention Week

Online, April 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - As part of its ongoing commitment to keep pets and people safe, Bark Busters, the world's largest dog training company, will give free dog safety seminars for community-based organizations. Additionally, Bark Busters is offering the Bach & Buster Buddy Dog Safety Program™, a unique online public service program designed to help educate children about dog safety and bite prevention. These free community-based programs are part of a nationwide effort by the 240+ Bark Busters dog behavioral therapists across the country in support of National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 15-21).

"Part of our mission at Bark Busters is to help keep people and their canine friends safe," said Liam Crowe, CEO and Master Dog Behavioral Therapist of Bark Busters USA. "We understand that dog bites are a serious matter, and we believe that more public education, such as the free community seminars we offer, can help prevent situations that can lead to dog bites."

Free Dog Safety Seminars
Each year on average, nearly five million Americans are bitten by dogs-and almost 50 percent of these are children bitten by their family dog. Of those injured, nearly 800,000 require treatment in a hospital, and dog-related injuries resulted in over 30 deaths in 2010 alone. To combat such startling statistics, Bark Busters is offering free dog safety seminars for community-based organizations. Hosted by Bark Busters' dog behavioral therapists, these free community seminars will give participants dog safety and bite prevention tips while helping them understand how to communicate more effectively with dogs by using voice control and body language. Community-based organizations interested in learning more about dog safety, the canine psyche or "pack" social structure are invited to contact your local trainer to schedule a free seminar anytime throughout the year.

Free Online Dog Safety Program for Children
Developed specifically for school-age children, the Bach & Buster Buddy Dog Safety Program provides fun, interactive dog safety activities online. Bark Busters wants to educate children and adults on how to stop dog bites before they happen by making the right decisions around familiar and unfamiliar dogs. Through the Bach & Buster Buddy Dog Safety Program, kids can learn what to do and what not to do around dogs in order to prevent dog bites across the nation. To participate in the Bach & Buster Buddy Dog Safety Program, visit: www.BarkBustersBuddy.com.

Both of these free community resources expand on important tips for preventing dog bites and dog-related injuries, such as the following:

How to Stay Safe When a Dog Approaches
• Don't turn and run-dogs naturally love to chase and catch things.
• Stand still, with your hands at your sides. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you are not a threat.
• Don't put your hand out-just allow the dog to approach you to sniff you.
• Don't scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly.
• Face the dog at all times, but don't stare. Avoid eye contact.
• When possible, back away slowly, watching the dog from the corner of your eye, until the dog is out of sight.

Safety Tips for Parents
• Never leave a young child or baby alone with any dog.
• Never allow your young child to discipline a dog.
• Never allow your child to feed or walk a dog unsupervised.
• Never allow your child to pull on a dog's collar, ears or tail.
• Never allow your child to play aggressive games (like wrestling) with any dog.
• Never allow your child to pet a dog that is in someone else's car or truck.

For more extensive information on bite prevention-including specific safety tips for parents and children-visit http://www.BarkBusters.com. To request a Bark Busters trainer to speak to your community-based organization, call 877.500.BARK (2275) or visit http://www.BarkBusters.com.