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 Reducing the Risk of Dog Bites
While most dog owners will tell you that their pet is a beloved
member of the family and would never bite, statistics unfortunately show
otherwise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
there are over 4.5 million dog bites each year. These bites are
very costly and affect everyone involved, including the victim, the dog
owner and the insurer.
We would like to provide you with the following tips to help you
reduce the chances of ever dealing with a dog bite. Please keep in mind
that a normally docile dog will bite when protecting its young, its
owner or its food.
Have the animal spayed or neutered. It has been shown that these
dogs are less aggressive and have a lower incidence of bites.
Socialize your dog. Introduce it to your friends, family and
neighbors, as well as to other animals, so that it knows how to
behave.
Play non-aggressive games with your pet. Teach it to play fetch,
roll over or shake hands as opposed to tug-o-war.
Discourage children from disturbing any dog that is eating or
sleeping. Teach kids that they should never go near a strange animal
unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
Avoid exposing your dog to unfamiliar or stressful situations that
may cause him to become defensive and aggressive.
Consider enrolling your dog in obedience classes.
Obey local leash laws and keep your dog confined even if there are
no laws in your community.
If you are concerned about your dogs running room, fence in an area
of the yard or build a dog run.
Never approach a strange dog. Avoid eye contact with a dog that
appears aggressive or is acting in a threatening manner.
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