Tips for Preventing Dog Bites
- Get your dog spayed or neutered.
Pets that have been altered are less
aggressive and less likely to bite.
There are also medical benefits to
neutering, such as lower rates of tumor
development.
- Make your dog a part of the family, and
socialize it by introducing it to lots of
other dogs, people and situations.
Socialized dogs are less nervous and fearful
in new situations, and therefore less likely
to react to the unexpected by biting.
However, avoid aggressive social activities
such as tug-of-war, which could encourage
inappropriate behavior.
- Attend training classes with your dog to
instill the importance of manners and
obedience. The whole household,
including the kids, should be involved in
dog training. As part of its training,
your dog should learn to drop toys and other
objects on command so that you don’t have to
reach into its mouth – a high-risk
situation.
- Make sure your dog receives rabies
vaccinations, and don’t allow it to roam
freely with other dogs. In the event
that your dog does bite someone, you will
want to have the date of its last rabies
vaccination on hand.
- Do not leave young children alone with a
dog. Teach your kids to ask permission
before approaching a strange dog.
- If you are approached by a stray dog, do not run away or make loud noises or unexpected movements. Stand in one place with your arms crossed, and do not look at the dog. If possible, toss an object away from both you and the dog. If the dog goes to investigate the object, take the opportunity to walk away slowly. If you fall or are knocked over, curl into a ball and protect your face.
Sources:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/stay_dog_bite_free/preventing_dog_bites.html
http://www.statefarm.com/learning/be_safe/home/learning_besafe_athome_dogbites.asp
http://www.akc.org/insurance/tips_dogbites.cfm
