Call Now For FreeWe all love dogs, but dogs can pose safety concerns when treated inappropriately or handled carelessly. That is why the Long Island Ducks and the New York Dog Bite Lawyer have teamed up to teach you how to handle dogs safely, and to encourage responsible dog ownership.
Never approach a dog without asking the owner first. Not all dogs are friendly, especially to strangers, and some will react poorly if a stranger tries to bite them. Owners usually know their pet best, and will tell you if it’s okay to pet them.
If you are approaching a dog for the first time, hold your hand out slowly so the dog can sniff it. This will help them learn that you are friendly and do not mean them any harm. If you approach too quickly, they may instead see you as a threat and attack.
It may seem counterintuitive, but you should avoid running from an aggressive dog. Running can trigger a dog’s chase instinct, and they may run after you simply because they want to chase you down.
If you find a dog running towards you, the best thing you can do is stand still, arms at your sides, and look down. This will indicate to the dog that you are not aggressive and are not prey to attack. It may not fully prevent an attack, but it minimizes the chance of harm.
Dogs can be protective of their food, especially if they come from situations where they need to compete to eat. That is why you should always allow a dog to eat in peace. Otherwise, you may find them acting out in aggression.
Dogs and humans have at least one thing in common: they don’t like being woken up suddenly. Startling a dog can cause it to react defensively, attacking whoever bothered them. That’s why you should follow the old adage, and let sleeping dogs lie.
While human beings may like a hug, dogs don’t often feel the same way. Many dogs feel trapped when hugged tightly, causing them to become anxious or aggressive. If you want to express affection to a pooch, it’s generally better to stick to petting.
Adults should always be present when young children are around dogs, especially if the children and the dogs aren’t familiar with one another. Not every dog knows to treat children with extra care, and children don’t always know how to avoid bothering a dog. In either case, you want an adult around to intervene if a dog starts to get aggressive.
No matter how well trained your dog is, you should always put them on a leash when taking them in public. Leashes help prevent accidents and bites by allowing you to control them if they suddenly get aggressive. Without a leash, you are putting others at unnecessary risk of an attack.
If you have a dog that you allow to go out freely in your yard, you should make sure it is carefully fenced in and secured. You also should always check gates so your dogs don’t escape the yard. Otherwise, you risk your dog roaming around your neighborhood and potentially biting someone.
While it may be tempting, you should never reach through a fence to pet a dog on the other side. Even dogs who are generally friendly to strangers may become protective of their space. This may lead them to instinctively attack someone who reaches through the fence, regardless of their intent.
One of the most difficult issues when training a dog is helping them get acclimated to children, and vice versa. It can be hard to teach children that dogs deserve personal space just like people, and can become aggressive if that space is violated. That is why you should make sure your kids understand they should respect dogs, and only approach when the dog is comfortable.
While most people agree that dogs are adorable, that does not mean it is a good idea to walk up to dogs you don’t know. Dogs often feel uncomfortable around strangers, and are more likely to view them as potential threats. This is especially true if a dog is trained as a guard, or if something else already has them upset.
Just like you don’t like having your things taken away from you, dogs also tend not to like having their toys or treats stolen. Dogs may guard their belongings, even with people they are familiar with. This can lead them to bite someone who attempts to steal something that belongs to them.
Dogs love to play, but they tend to react poorly to being teased or chased. Teasing can make even friendly dogs nervous, and they may view getting chased as an attempt to attack them. This can lead them to retaliate violently, causing harm in the process.
When dealing with any dog, especially dogs you are not familiar with, it’s best to approach slowly and carefully. Sudden movements can scare them, and make them feel like they are under threat. If you are calm, they are more likely to respond in kind.
Dogs do not start off as the well-behaved friends we all come to love in our homes. It takes careful training, whether by yourself or a professional training, to ensure they can act well, especially around strangers. Well-trained dogs are safer for everyone, so if you cannot train your dog, take the time and money to have them trained by a professional.
The easiest way to ensure a dog handles strangers well is to ensure they are appropriately socialized. This means exposing them to unfamiliar people and places on a regular basis, meaning they do not freak out about the presence of strangers. Exposure to people and environments helps dogs stay calm, and makes them less likely to attack.
No matter how careful you are, there is always the risk that a dog will run away from home. Fortunately, ID tags help return lost pets safely by helping others identify who they belong to and where they live. That way, you can make sure your dog gets home safe and sound, as soon as possible.
A healthy dog is a happy dog. Sadly, when dogs are sick or injured, they are more likely to lash out in anger, even at people they are normally friendly with. Regular vet visits help prevent problems from getting to that point, and can help you identify issues that may lead to bites.
When you take your dog out for a walk, make sure to pick up after them when they leave a mess behind. This is not only respectful of your neighbors, it can also minimize the risk of confrontations. Responsible ownership keeps parks and neighborhoods safe and clean.
Even if your dog is not prone to attacking people, it can be good to secure them if you have visitors coming to your home. Excited dogs can accidentally knock down children or other vulnerable people, accidentally causing harm. Once you are sure everyone is safe and calm, you can let the dog go visit your guests.
One of the reasons that children are at increased risk of dog bites is that they do not know how to treat dogs properly. This may include putting their face near a dog’s face, which can be dangerous. Dogs communicate with their mouths, and they may decide the way to show a child is too close is by giving a bite.
If you see a loose dog wandering around, and especially if they seem aggressive, you should make sure to report them to the police or your local Animal Control. They are equipped to handle dogs who may be prone to attacking. Helping keep the community safe helps everyone, and minimizes the risk of a bite.
By the same token, you should avoid trying to handle potentially dangerous dogs by yourself. Not only might they be aggressive, but they may also carry diseases such as rabies. If you see a dangerous dog, give them a wide berth, and let the professionals handle it.
