| You can reduce the risk that your dog will bite, | | | | If your dog exhibits any of the following |
| but you need to be aware that there are no | | | | behaviors, he poses a significant bite risk and you |
| guarantees. Here are 7 steps to take to minimize | | | | should consult a professional trainer for advice: |
| the risk: | | | | · Aggressive behavior toward other animals; |
| Click for Dog Obedience Training to Solve Dog | | | | · Dominant behavior toward family members |
| Behavior Problems | | | | including refusal to get off the couch or bed; |
| Spay or neuter your dog. This is very important | | | | · Possessive behavior including growling or |
| If you do not plan to breed your registered dog. | | | | snapping when you get too close during dinner or |
| This procedure will reduce roaming and minimize | | | | when he's playing with his favorite toy; |
| the desire to be aggressive with other dogs. You | | | | · Biting and growling out of fear; |
| will have an easier time controlling your pet and it | | | | · Territorial aggression such as barking and |
| will accept confinement better. Spayed or | | | | growling at joggers or bikers when they are in or |
| neutered dogs are much less likely to bite. | | | | near his home. |
| Contact your local veterinarian or Animal Control | | | | Be a responsible dog owner. License your dog (if |
| Office about low-cost spay/neuter options for | | | | you live in an area that requires licensing) and |
| your pet. | | | | keep your dog healthy by providing regular |
| Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to many | | | | veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations. For |
| different types of people (young and old, walking, | | | | everyone's safety, don't allow your dog off his |
| in wheelchair, on bicycle, male and female, | | | | leash or to roam. Remember, violating leash laws |
| different races, etc.) and situations so that he is | | | | may also subject you to large fines, jail and civil |
| calm and relaxed wherever he is. Take your dog | | | | law suits. |
| with you when you can focus on your pet's | | | | Make your dog a member of your family. Dogs |
| reaction to the environment. You should plan | | | | that have been socialized to be relaxed around |
| outings with your dog for the sole purpose of | | | | people and are under leash control rarely bite. On |
| introducing your pet to new situations, and only | | | | the other hand, dogs that spend a great deal of |
| when you have control over your dog. When you | | | | time isolated from people by being kept alone in |
| have something that occupies your attention and | | | | the backyard or tied on a chain often become |
| cannot watch your pet, then leave him at home. | | | | dangerous. Chaining or tying a dog encourages |
| Train your dog. You can, and should, train your | | | | aggressive behavior. In addition, each year, |
| dog yourself. And each member of the family | | | | tie-outs account for a significant number of |
| should learn the training techniques and get the | | | | reported deaths of dogs that were unable to |
| dog used to obeying all members of the family. In | | | | reach water or were hanged. |
| addition to your training, enrolling in a training class | | | | Err on the safe side. If you don't know how your |
| is an excellent way to socialize him and to learn | | | | dog will react to a new situation and you cannot |
| proper training techniques. In an organized training | | | | focus on what your dog is doing, leave him at |
| setting, you are with other people who also want | | | | home. If your dog overreacts to visitors or |
| to socialize their dogs. | | | | delivery or service personnel, keep him in another |
| Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don't play | | | | room when they are present. To overcome this, |
| aggressive games with your dog such as | | | | have a friend pose as a repairman to get your |
| wrestling, tug-of-war, or "siccing" your dog on | | | | dog calm around strangers in the home. If you |
| another person or animal. Set and enforce limits | | | | are not confident of his behavior, avoid stressful |
| for your dog's behavior before an accident | | | | settings. |
| happens. If he exhibits dangerous behavior, | | | | For further information on typical doggie behavior, |
| particularly toward children, seek help from a dog | | | | including a fantastic resource for training how-to's |
| trainer (another advantage to enrolling in a | | | | and loads of detailed information on preventing |
| organized training class is that you establish | | | | and dealing with problem behaviors, check out |
| contact is a dog trainer), your veterinarian, an | | | | Secrets to Dog Training. Written by a professional |
| animal behaviorist. | | | | dog-trainer, it's an absorbing guide that deals with |
| Click for Dog Obedience Training to Solve Dog | | | | all the subjects a responsible dog-owner could |
| Behavior Problems | | | | ever want to know about - well worth a look. |