Dog warden expanding canine safety, education programs
11/24/2012The Lucas County Dog Warden is expanding its offering of educational programs, most of which focus on dog safety and are geared toward children.
John Brown, the dog warden’s behavior technician, will teach the majority of the classes. Dog Warden Julie Lyle will continue to offer “Dog Warden 101,” which is an overview of operations at the department and is geared toward block watches, civic organizations, or religious groups.
“We want the community to see us as a resource, not just for adopting dogs or for dogs running loose, but for all things dog,” Ms. Lyle said.
Ms. Lyle is offering the Dog Warden 101 presentation to the Beverly Area Block Watch Meeting on Dec. 3 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Zion United Methodist Church, 2600 Copland Blvd.
The pound will market the programs to the schools, starting with Toledo Public Schools, and scouting groups.
“We are willing to talk to anyone who wants to hear about dog safety,” Ms. Lyle said.
An adult program geared toward dog encounters on the job is aimed toward workers who might encounter jobs such as the postal service, meter readers, appliance-service technicians, social workers, and so forth, Ms. Lyle said.
Classes geared toward expectant parents and new parents will be offered at the pound every other month.
“We always recommend that people supervise any dog with any child at all times,” Ms. Lyle said. Even family dogs should not be left alone with children for any reason.”
The children’s programs are different depending on the age group, Mr. Brown said. There is a set of classes appropriate for preschool to second grade, another set for third to sixth grade and a third set for seventh to twelfth graders.
The classes are geared toward instructing children on how to be safe around strange dogs, known dogs, and how to approach dogs safely.
“Just because they can hug their dog at home doesn’t mean they can hug every dog,” Mr. Brown said.
“Playing it safe around dogs” teaches children how to touch, handle, and play with dogs safely. Children learn to respect a dog that is eating, chewing on a bone, playing with a toy, sleeping, has a stolen item, or is nursing puppies.
“Be a tree” teaches children how to be safe around loose dogs, stray dogs, overexcited dogs, or dogs that scare them. It also teaches children how to read basic canine body language.
“How to meet dogs” teaches children the correct way to safely meet a dog, including when it is safe to meet a dog, and how to ask permission from parents, the dog owner, and the dog.
Mr. Brown has taught classes privately through his dog training business and while employed at the Toledo Area Humane Society.
For more information about scheduling a class, contact John Brown at 419-213-2807 or at jebrown@co.lucas.oh.us.
Contact Tanya Irwin at: tirwin@theblade.com or 419-724-6066.