Owning a dog is a big responsibility--not only to the dog,
but also to yourself, your family, and the general population. If you choose to
own a dog, choose to be a responsible dog owner by treating your dog with
respect. Your dog will be happier as well as less likely to injure others.
The best way to raise a safe dog is to raise it from a
puppy, treating it as a member of the family. Prevent fearfulness by exposing
your puppy to a variety of situations, and treating him with kindness. Owners
can also prevent their dogs from acting aggressively by avoiding owner
behaviors that encourage aggressiveness. Owners can prevent their dogs from
biting humans by following these rules:
Do not
chain your dog or confine him to a small pen
Do not
allow your dog to roam in a pack
Do not
use fear-based methods to train your dog
Do not
encourage aggressive behavior
Have
your male dog neutered
Provide
your dog with plenty of positive human contacts
Raising your dog in a way that prevents attacks on humans
benefits society and keeps your neighbors safe. It can also protect owners from
legal action. Many states and localities have laws that punish irresponsible
dog owners, with penalties ranging from being prohibited from owning dogs in
the future to fines and jail time.
Preventing Dog Attacks--General
The best way to survive a dog attack is, of course, not to
be bitten. Learn what behaviors dogs view as aggressive, and avoid them. Teach
children how to behave around dogs, even if you don't own dogs yourself.
Dogs feel threatened by many of the gestures that humans
consider polite. Humans are socialized to greet a new person by looking him or
her in the eyes, smiling, and offering to shake hands. However, dogs feel
challenged when looked in the eyes. Invading a dog's space by patting him on
the head or bending down to say hello can also be considered threatening. When
meeting an unfamiliar dog that is with his owner, always ask before greeting or
touching the animal.
If you come across an unfamiliar dog that is without his
owner, do not challenge the dog by looking in his eyes, running away, or
yelling. Calmly leave the area, so the dog does not see you as a threat to his
space.