National Dog Bite Prevention Week

I don’t think anyone wants to feel guilty, remorseful, or the regret of having their family pet, their “nice dog” bite anyone, much less a child.

Here are a few suggestions… as they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

• Be a responsible pet owner. Err on the safe side. Know your dog and the common triggers of aggression, including pain, injury or sickness, or the approach of strangers or strange dogs.
• ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS supervise dogs and children. NEVER leave a baby or a small or younger child under 10 years of age alone with a dog.
• Most children’s dog bites are from a dog known to the person—his or her own pet, a neighbor’s or a friend’s. Be sure to teach your child or grandchildren how to behave around dogs.
• Be proactive with any aggressive behavior. The first time you see your dog demonstrate aggressive behavior to anyone, even if no bite occurs, you need to seek professional help from either a veterinary behaviorist, Certified Professional Dog Trainer, or a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.
• Lastly, have your dog well-socialized. It has been proven that under socialized dogs are a greater risk to their owners and to others because they can become frightened by everyday things.

Don’t forget. Most dog bites are preventable.

Any dog can bite. Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pet can bite if provoked.

Do your part to keep your “nice dog” from being a “bad dog”.