How to Prevent a Dog Bite

Every person has their own definition or image of an aggressive dog, a lot of people may think that all Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans are aggressive.  I have seen many fantastically mannered Pit Bulls who are great around other dogs, children and people; of course the dogs were not born that way, no dog is, regardless of breed.  I firmly believe that breed characteristics are somewhat important in selecting a dog, but training, education, and socialization are more important factors.  This article is not about breed specific issues or legislation, it isn’t even so much about dog training in the traditional sense, it is about educating people on how to prevent dog bites.

Each year in America, dogs bite over 4 million people, and almost 25% of those bites require medical attention; half of these are children.  About 386,000 cases require treatment in an emergency department, and about 12 people die each year.  These are some alarming stats, and as long as dogs have teeth, they will bite.  At the same time there are some things we can do to prevent dog bites to our children and ourselves.

• Never approach a dog you don’t know. Yes, this still remains true in a dog park.  Remember, these are tips on how to AVOID being bit by a dog; always ask the dog’s owner if you can pet their dog.
• Do not scream and run away from a dog. Fast movement and high pitch sounds can evoke prey drive in some dogs.  Prey drive is a natural instinct in dogs that involves chase and the capture of prey.  All dogs have prey drive to some degree, do yourself and your children a favor and never scream and run away from a dog.
• Don’t pet a dog without letting him see you first. When dogs are sleeping or looking in another direction, a pet on the head or side from us can startle them.  Even if YOUR dog is “friendly”, you can still surprise the dog and you may get nipped; he didn’t do it to be mean, he was just surprised.
• Treat all dogs with respect. If you are petting another person’s dog, don’t pull their tail, put your fingers in their ears, touch their feet, or try to take a ball or toy out of their mouth.  Owners should make sure that their dogs are comfortable with this type of touch, but don’t just assume that they are.
• Recognize when a dog does not want to be bothered. Does the dog in the picture above look like he wants to interact with you?  Don’t chase a dog all over the house or yard in order to pet him.
• Never leave a child alone with a dog. Children and dogs are great matches, but they have to be supervised.  I have seen many children easily annoy very friendly and outgoing dogs, please monitor your kids and dogs.

These are just a few important tips on how to prevent a dog bite.  Yes, I am in total favor of promoting responsible pet ownership, but at the end of the day it is up to you to ensure the safety of yourself and your family.

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• 25 Worst Cities to Be a Postal Worker | Unleashed Unlimited May 15, 2011 at 6:43 pm

  [...] Houston, Texas was the city with the most dog bite incidents (62) on postal employees during 2010.  San Diego and Columbus round out the top three with 45 bites each. To see where your city ranks, you can check out the rest of the list. So let’s say you’re a postal worker or just someone out for a walk, be sure to remember these tips for Preventing a Dog Bite. [...]