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Dog Bite Prevention
If dogs are in your life you need to have a plan for dog bite prevention. A dog bite is painful and can generally be avoided. But more painful than the bite is the rabies shots that could follow, or the law suit from particularly unhappy people who have been bitten.
Dog bite prevention is an important part of your awareness and planning if you own a dog or if you encounter dogs in your line of work or hobbies. Dogs can be unpredictable. They can go from friendly and happy to snappy in no time. That is why it is important know how to prevent a dog bite and always approach dogs with care.
The first thing you want to do in dog bite prevention awareness is to come up with a plan. Preventing a bite can be a skill that will save you from quite a bit of misery and pain, and sometimes cost. What are some things that you should consider in dog bite prevention?
- Never bother a dog that is eating. This is one of the prime times that they may snap at you or bite.
- Approach a strange dog with care, if you can't avoid the approach.
- If you are approached by a dog that you do not know, don't scream and run. This is a sign to the dog to attack.
- Teach your children to be careful around dogs.
Dogs shouldn't be feared, but they should be respected.
If you are a dog owner, there are some other things that you need to consider in dog bite prevention, including:
- Spay or neuter your dog. This decreases the likelihood that they will bite.
- Dog training. This helps both you family and your dog to learn properly. You will learn how to work with your dog to make sure that it is well behaved.
- Teach your dog learn appropriate behavior. Even in fun, don't let your dog chase or attack people or other animals. This can begin a bad habit if you do not stay on top of this behavior. A friend of mine once thought it was great fun for her dog to chase cats; she wasn't welcome at lots of homes because her friends' cats were endangered, as were the kids in the homes.
- Be responsible. Keep their vaccinations up to date. Leash them when they are out of the houses or yard. Muzzle them if they tend toward biting when in public, even on a leash.
- If you are not sure about how your dog will react in a new situation, then don't put it in that situation. This can save a lot of misery and pain to you, the dog and others.
Sometimes, despite best efforts at dog bite prevention people are bitten. In that case, they need to get proper medical attention. Sometimes children are terrorized enough by the bite they need counseling to help them get beyond their fear of dogs.
Dog owners and people interacting with dogs hold equal responsibility in dog bite prevention. The dog isn't necessarily bad, but if it tends toward biting it is an ill-mannered dog. We all need manners to get along in the world.
Comments
NEVER STARE DIRECTLY at a dog when meeting it for the first time. Dominant dogs interpret this as a challenge, while nervous dogs will find it threatening. Particularly dangerous is bending over a dog and looking it in the eye. If you then reach out toward the dog, you are asking to be bitten. Instead, turn your side to the dog, squat down, don't look at it directly, speak to it gently, and wait for the dog to approach and sniff you first. The tendency of children to rush head-on to meet a dog is why so many are bitten. Every child should be taught how to approach a dog safely.
Great advice. I knew I forgot something when I was writing this article. Thanks for your additional comment.
