Preventing Dog Attacks – Actions that You Can Take to Minimize The Risk of a Dog Attack

As an owner, there are steps you can take to minimize the possibility of your dog attacking someone:

• Spay or neuter your dog.
• Do not teach your dog to play roughly. Play non-aggressive games such as fetch. Games such as tug-of-war could encourage inappropriate behavior.
• Be sure your dog has up-to-date vaccinations.
• Socialize your dog. Take your dog to obedience classes so it becomes accustomed to obeying voice commands.
• Train your dog by teaching it at least the basic commands: "sit," "down," "stay," "heel," and "come."
• Never leave babies or small children with a dog unless there is an adult with them.
• Keep your dog in a fenced yard. Do not allow it to roam. While electronic fences may keep your dog in your yard, they do not keep people and animals from approaching it.
• Do not allow people the dog is not familiar with to touch or approach the dog.
• When outside, keep the dog on a leash.
• Do not put your dog in a situation where it could be threatened or teased. You may want to confine your dog in these potential situations.
• Be cautious when introducing your dog to new situations. Be ready to respond to any signs that your dog is starting to feel uncomfortable, and remove it from the situation.

Basic dog safety tips include:

• Leave strange dogs alone.
• Never approach any dog while it is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies.
• Never try to pet a dog until after you let it see you and smell you.
• Never leave children alone with any dog.
• Never be aggressive with a dog, stare it in the eye, or run from it.
• If a dog does attack: use your arms and hands to protect your face and neck, and curl up in a ball. Remain motionless and don't scream. Dogs will almost always lose interest in you if you remain still. Wait until the dog leaves the area before getting up.
• Respect a dog's space. Keep your hands away from a dog's fence. A dog considers its yard personal property and may growl or bite to protect it.