Dog Bite Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 4.7 million dog bites that occur within the United States each year. Close to 800,000 of these dog bites require some kind of medical attention and most of the victims are children under the age of 11. Other victims of dog bites include postal workers, meter readers, and the elderly. And it turns out that the offending dogs are not always strays, but dogs that belong to loving families who could have avoided this dog aggression by controlling dog anxiety through dog bite prevention measures.

No one wants to believe that their beloved dog is capable of biting anyone, but anxiety can happen to any dog at any time. The slightest thing such as a cat walking across the yard can stir up aggression in the sweetest dog, but it is an unfortunate fact that dog anxiety does exist. That is why it is important to initiate dog bite prevention even if you believe your dog is not capable of biting.

Below are ways in which you can exercise dog bite prevention with your dog:

• To minimize dog anxiety, which can lead to dog aggression, socialize your dog when he or she is a young puppy. This eliminates the anxiety that is associated with being around other animals, other people, children, groups of people at family events, and going out into public places. Do this little by little and you have exercised one of the most important steps in dog bite prevention.
• Carefully consider the breed of dog. Some breeds are more prone to dog anxiety and dog aggression, especially when being around children. Consulting with a veterinarian is the best way to determine which breed is best for your particular lifestyle.
• Neuter your dog. A dog that is not neutered is three times more likely to display dog aggression than a dog that is neutered. 
• Preventing dog bites also lies in the amount of time you spend with your dog. A dog that is left alone for long periods of time is more likely to develop dog anxiety since a dog is naturally a social animal.
• Closely monitor your dog’s health. Dog anxiety and dog aggression increases when the dog is not feeling well. Also stay up-to-date on vaccinations to keep your dog as healthy as possible.
• Dog bites can also be prevented in how the dogs are trained. By teaching the dog how to do such skills as “sit,” “lay down,” and “stay” in a fun way, the dog learns to obey and trust humans. 

These are some of the basics in dog bite prevention, but there are other things that must be taken into consideration such as not approaching a dog that is caring for her young, a dog that is sleeping, or is eating. A dog that feels her young may be threatened, feels food may be taken away, or is startled out of a sound sleep may display dog aggression. When encountering one of these situations, it is best to leave the dog alone. If the dog becomes threatening, it is ideal to not panic and to not make eye contact while slowly backing away. Dogs love to chase and running will satisfy that desire. If the dog does attack, it is important to protect your face and neck with your hands and arms no matter what.

It is a fact that exercising dog bite prevention could prevent many of the 4.7 million dog bites that occur each year. There are sometimes more “human factors” than there are “dog factors” when a dog attacks and it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that their dog will not attack. Not only is it important for their family, but it is important for society as a whole.