January 2005
Volume 2 Issue 1
A non-profit organization dedicated to Dog Bite Prevention
Doggone Safe is the first federally incorporated non-profit organization in Canada dedicated to dog bite prevention education and victim support. Doggone Safe provides services in Canada, the US and around the world through its website and network of volunteers.
In This Issue Website Updates
Member Benefits
Case File - Being a Tree Works on Pit Bulls Too
New Video - Learn to Speak Dog
Upcoming Events
Click here to join the Dog Bite Victim Support Group - this is a forum for families of child dog bite victims to talk about their experiences and concerns, learn from and support each other.
Click here to join Doggone Safe or donate to the Courtney Fund
Website Updates...
We have been working to update the Doggone Safe website and include more explanation particularly about the Be a Tree program and about how to become a Doggone Safe presenter.
Click here to view the updated Be a Tree page and see descriptions of the various supplementary materials that are available.
Click here to view the updated page about becoming a presenter. If this does not answer all your questions please send us an email and we will start a FAQ page.
Member Benefits...
Join Doggone Safe and become part of a growing movement of professionals dedicated to dog bite prevention education.
Dog Trainers - demonstrate to your clients that your classes are a cut above ... that you care enough about family safety to be a Doggone Safe member and to incorporate into your classes information about how to read dog body language and keep kids safe around dogs. You can print and copy any of the materials at the Doggone Safe website to hand out to your classes.
Member benefits:
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Access to private Yahoo discussion group
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Listing of your services in on-line member directory accessible to the public
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E-newsletter
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Get help with sponsorship proposals from Doggone Safe for licensed Be a Tree presenters
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Program booking services for licensed Be a Tree presenters
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Access to marketing materials for Be a Tree program
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Eligibility to become paid Doggone Safe presenter for Be a Tree Program (all members are eligible)
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Eligibility to become paid and licensed presenter for Doggone Smart at Work, Doggone Smart at Home and Doggone Smart with Baby seminars (must also meet requirements for education and experience)
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Access to e-meetings for program presenters (held on occasional basis)
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10% discount off the Be a Tree teacher kit
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Use of Doggone Safe member logo
Annual membership dues: $20.00CAD ($16.00USD)
Members: you should have received your membership card in the mail and the Doggone Safe member logo in an email. If you did not receive this please send an email to joanorr@doggonesafe.com and enquire. A members-only section of the website will be posted next month as will the member services directory where you will be able to list the services you provide so that people looking for dog training or other services related to dog bite prevention education will be able to choose Doggone Safe members.
Members who are also Licensed Be a Tree presenters should have received the latest version of our sponsorship proposal - Become a Community Safety Star - and program budget as well as the logos for the Be a Tree program. We are working on a presentation package with a full colour brochure and all the information and samples you need to explain the Be a Tree program and sponsorship options to potential sponsors.
Doggone Safe will be applying for funding for the Be a Tree Program from PETsMART Charities and PetCo. The requests will cover towns in which there are Doggone Safe members available to do presentations. So please join today and let us know if you are interested in having your town included in the funding applications.
Case File - Being a Tree Works on Pit Bulls Too...
This week's case file was kindly provided by Kerry McDonald of Pembroke ON
When my
son Thomas was 4, there lived behind us two Amstaff/Pit Bull type dogs.
These dogs were owned by irresponsible people. Despite active
interventions by the local animal control, and fines, these people
continually left their dogs unrestrained and unsupervised in their unfenced
yard. The male frequently jumped the fence at the back of our yard if we had
our dogs out or if any of us were out. Our child was never out in the yard
unsupervised due to the fact of his age, and the dogs behind us. Normally,
in the summer the dogs were friendly enough, but we found out that the male
was afraid of people bundled up for the winter, and would charge you,
growling. One day my son was outside playing, those dogs were in their
house, I was standing in our doorway watching Thomas play. Suddenly the
back door to the house behind us opened and out flew the dogs. The male
spotted Thomas immediately and charged him, clearing the fence easily,
Thomas saw this and began to run for me. I yelled immediately for him to
STOP and stand like a "tree". Thankfully Thomas did both, for the dog
stopped, looked around and then headed back over the fence to his own yard.
Another call went out to animal control, and a big hug to my son.
A possible tragedy was
averted here and we can learn a lot from Kerry's experience. Kerry was right
there supervising, not just watching from the window. She has also practiced
the tree with Thomas and had the type of relationship with her son whereby
he trusted her and followed her directions. Kerry's diligence, good
parenting skills and knowledge of dog behavior paid off in a huge way that
day and all parents of young children can learn from her example.
Help Us Sell Calendars...
Doggone Safe has produced a fabulous calendar that is attractive as well as educational. Like our other products it merges appealing pictures dogs with lessons in how to read dog body language and how to see the signs of a dog that says "stay away" in contrast with a dog that says "I want to meet you".
We have lots of calendars left and we are selling them at outrageously low prices - the more you buy the less they cost. We are happy to share the profits with other non-profit groups so please contact us if you think you can sell some of these.
A wonderful lady from the Ottawa bought some calendars and posters to donate to the seniors in a veterans hospital where she works. This inspired me to do the same. The seniors are thrilled to receive pictures of dogs for their rooms. What an easy way to make someone happy! We will sell the posters for $2 to anyone who is donating them to a seniors home and buys at least 10 calendars (for $3.50 each) as well. All proceeds from the calendar and posters will go to the Courtney Fund.
New Video - Learn to Speak Dog...
Doggone Safe has released a new video slide show that is available for free download from the website. The slideshow illustrates different dog body language signals and gives interpretation. There is also a video clip showing what can happen if we tease a tied dog and how to act in case of attack by a pack of Westies!
This can be shared freely and if you would like a high resolution version on CD or DVD we will make these for you at low cost.
Click here to go to the video download page.
If you own a copy of the Clicker Puppy DVD, then you already have the Speak Dog video - it is a bonus track on the DVD
Upcoming Events...
Here are some events at which Doggone Safe principals will be speaking or at which Doggone Safe will have a booth. Please find us and say hi!
Hilton Mission Valley, San Diego CA
London Convention Centre, London ON
International Centre, Toronto ON
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto ON
Charlotte, NC
Kitchener ON
For More Information...
For more information about Doggone Safe and for useful tips about bite prevention please visit the Doggone Safe website. Any materials found at the site can be used at websites or in printed matter without permission (unless specifically noted) provided proper credit is given. A link back to the Doggone Safe site is appreciated.
Privacy Policy...
Doggone Safe will not share its mailing list with third parties