Preventing and Avoiding Dog Bites

• Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs who have not been spayed or neutered are three times more likely to bite than are dogs who have been spayed or neutered.
  
• Train and socialize your dog so that she is comfortable being around people including friends, neighbors, and children.
  
• Never play attack games with your dog. He won=t always understand the difference between play and real-life situations.
  
• If you don=t know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. When a letter carrier or other service person comes to your door, be sure your dog is safely restrained or confined in another room before opening the door. Don=t allow your dog to bark, jump against the door, or bite the mail as it comes through the mail slot; this will only teach your dog to attack the letter carrier.
  
• If your dog exhibits behavior such as growling, nipping, or biting, even on an occasional basis. Seek professional advice from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a skilled dog trainer.
  
• Never approach a dog you don=t know or a dog who is alone without his owner, especially if the dog is confined behind a fence, within a car, or on a chain.
  
• Don=t disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
  
• Don=t pet a dog, even your own, without letting him see and sniff you first.
  
• When approached by a dog you don=t know, don=t run or scream. Instead, stand still with your hands at your sides and do not make direct eye contact with or speak to the dog. Teach children to Abe a tree@ until a dog goes away and to practice with a stuffed toy dog.
  
• If you are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears. Lie still and keep quiet until the dog goes away. Teach children to Alie like a log@ until a dog goes away.
  
• If a dog attacks, you may be able to decrease injury by Afeeding@ him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything else that can serve as a barrier between you and the dog.

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