A recent tragedy in which a man was killed by a large dangerous dog has highlighted the critical importance of understanding canine behaviour and responsible ownership, according to veteran dog trainer Vic Barlow. With 32 years of experience and over 4,500 dogs trained, Barlow warns that many powerful breeds do not show their ferocity until an inadvertent trigger sets them off.
Learning from Farmyard Experience
Barlow draws on his rural upbringing to illustrate the importance of respecting animals. He recalls a neighbour's eight-year-old daughter who, despite her youth, was well-schooled in handling cattle, sheep and other farm animals, always under the supervision of an older family member. By the age of 11, she was competing in local shows, and apart from the odd farmyard scuffle, there were no major accidents. The reason was simple: every family member knew how to respect the animals in their charge, speaking the same language, with a whistle from the farmer often enough to maintain control.
Barlow himself once got stuck when a bull pushed him against the wall of the shippen, and it was that same little girl who yelled at the animal and sent it away. 'You need to know what you are doing in a farm yard. Obviously, I didn’t,' he admits.
The Reality of Dog Attacks
Over his 32-year career, Barlow has been attacked five times, fortunately by dogs he had learned to handle, resulting in very little damage. However, he stresses that any dog may suddenly attack in a manner never seen before. He witnessed a Staffie turn on its owner without any prior warning, causing a bad bite that required a hospital trip. The family was mortified, expecting the worst, but a few days later the dog was found lying quietly in the kitchen. The cause was not aggression but raging, painful rotten teeth, after which the dog returned to normal.
Barlow advises that if a dog is clearly in pain, owners should remove their coat or jumper and muzzle the animal until they can get it to the vet. 'In no circumstances should you pick up your dog until you have him under full control,' he warns.
Prevention and Understanding
The tragic incident underscores how easy it is to underestimate the risks of keeping a powerful animal in a home. Barlow believes the issue often comes down to a lack of awareness rather than bad intentions. 'Before bringing a high-drive or powerful breed into a household, it’s vital to consider how they might react under stress or to sudden triggers,' he says. 'Tragedies like this are rarely expected, which is exactly why thorough preparation is so essential.'
For the past 32 years, Barlow has trained dogs of all shapes, breeds and sizes, with more than 4,500 passing through his training academy. He says working with them has been a privilege and they have taught him as much as he has taught them. 'After all this time communicating directly with dogs I can honestly say I have never met a dog I could not help,' he says. 'Owners, however are a little more difficult and need to learn how dogs really communicate. It means getting into the mind of the dog and really understanding. That insight will open a new world to you.'
Barlow continues to share daily last-minute class updates on his Facebook page, aiming to educate owners on better understanding their pets.
