Tips to prevent dog bites?

Answer 1

Each year in the U.S. alone, an estimated 5 million people--nearly 2% of the population--are bitten by dogs. About 800,000 of these people require medical attention as the result of the bite or attack, and about 15-20 die from their injuries. These numbers, however, while alarming, are not particularly shocking, given that there are an estimated 65 million dogs in the U.S. What may be more surprising is that most dog bites are preventable if owners train and care for their dogs properly and if potential bite victims--that is to say, nearly all of us--know how to behave around dogs.
Steps

1. Keep your distance from dogs you don't know. Some dogs are so cute it's almost impossible to resist petting them. Think twice before you try to make friends with an unfamiliar dog, because some dogs simply aren't very friendly, and many otherwise pleasant dogs may be skittish around strangers.

* Never try to pet an unfamiliar dog that's behind a fence, tied up, or in a car. Dogs can be very protective of their territory, and if you enter their space you're just asking to be bitten.
* Avoid loose dogs. If you're walking and you see an unfenced, untied dog up ahead, try to avoid it. Cross the street or go around the block. Stay out of reach of dogs on leashes, as well.
* Ask the dog owner's permission before you pet a dog. If a dog doesn't handle strangers well, the owner usually knows.
2. Allow dogs to investigate you before you touch them. Dogs are naturally curious and may want to sniff you or approach you slowly. This is usually not threatening behavior, but if you don't allow a dog to investigate you before you try to touch him, he's liable to bite in self-defense. By the same token, never surprise a dog and touch him when he's not expecting it.
3. Be gentle. Don't play rough with a dog, or the dog may play rough back, which may result in you getting bitten. An excited dog is an unpredictable dog.
4. Let sleeping dogs lie. Don't rouse a dog that's sleeping, especially if it's not your dog. In addition, avoid disturbing dogs while they're feeding, chewing on a bone or chew toy, or caring for their puppies.
5. Stay away from mad dogs. Dogs frequently will tell you if they don't want you around. If a dog growls, bears its teeth and wrinkles its nose in a snarl, or if the hair on a dog's back is raised, keep away.
6. Stand your ground. Don't run away from a dog, especially a threatening one. Turning your back on a dog and running may awaken the dog's instinct to chase prey, and you don't want to be prey. If you encounter an unfamiliar dog, keep your cool, and walk slowly away without turning your back. Stand still if the dog appears ready to attack you, and keep your hands close to your sides with your fingers curled in to prevent getting them bitten.
7. Avoid eye contact with a dog. Don't look a strange dog right in the eyes. The dog may see this as a challenge.
8. Teach children how to act around dogs, and don't leave children unattended with dogs. Children are small and vulnerable to bites, and they also tend to want to play with dogs even when dogs aren't feeling up to playing. This can lead to situations where a child is in fact harassing a dog, and the dog may become aggressive in order to get the child to stop.


For Dog Owners

1. Spay or neuter your dog. Having your dog spayed or neutered can reduce aggressive tendencies that can spark dogs to get into fights with other dogs and to bite people.
2. Begin socializing your dog early. Dogs that feel uncomfortable or threatened around new people or other dogs are more likely to bite. Introducing your dog to other people and critters first in a non-threatening environment (your home, for example), and then by bringing him out into new environments will ease your dog's fears and improve his behavior around others.
3. Train your dog basic commands. Training your dog to sit, stay, and drop his toys on command will give your dog the discipline he needs in order for you to help him stay out of trouble.
4. Play non-aggressive games with your dog and don't encourage biting. Games like tug-of-war can strengthen a dog's instinct to bite and can make him feel that biting is acceptable behavior. The same can be said if you allow your puppy to nip your hands. That behavior can mean trouble when the puppy gets bigger.
5. Keep your dog's vaccinations up-to-date. A sick dog, particularly one with rabies, is a dangerous dog, no matter how gentle or well-trained he normally is.
6. Be a loving and responsible owner. While it's important to discipline your dog, do not discipline him by hitting him or by other violent means. Give your dog plenty of attention and make sure he knows that people are his best friends. Neglected or abused dogs are much more likely to bite people than are dogs that are showered with love and attention. Besides animal abuse and neglect is reprehensible, and it's a crime. If, for whatever reason, you can't care for a dog properly you should not have one.
7. Keep your dog on a leash when out and about. A leash is the most effective bite-prevention device available. Without a leash you don't have any way to make certain your dog doesn't run after a dog or another person. Besides, leash laws are common, so if you don't have your dog leashed, you may be breaking the law.
8. Keep your dog away from trouble situations. If you know that dog doesn't interact well with other dogs, don't bring him to the neighborhood dog park. If your dog gets aggressive around delivery men, keep your dog in another room when you answer the door. As a pet owner, you know your dog's personality and dislikes, and you are in the best position to keep him or her out of trouble.


Tips

* For more information on how to deal with a dog attack and how to treat a dog bite wound, see how to Handle a Dog Attack
* Understand that just about any dog can inflict a serious bite. Plenty of people who have the good sense to avoid a huge Rottweiler get bitten because they don't think twice about approaching a feisty little dachshund.
* When walking your dog, make sure you keep your dog on a leash and stay clear of other dogs. Try to anticipate problems if you see another dog ahead. You don't want to get caught in a dogfight. If a fight does break out, don't intervene.
* If you leave your dog in the yard alone, make sure the yard is securely fenced and/or that the dog is on a chain. Do not leave your dog chained for extended periods.


Warnings

* If your dog bites someone, even if the person is not seriously injured, you may be liable for monetary damages. You may also have your homeowners insurance canceled or have insurance denied. Worst of all, your dog may be labeled as a nuisance and, in the worst cases, be taken away from you and put down. Be responsible, or you'll regret it.

Answer 2

When she gets into this behaviour, end the play time with her. Stand up, wrap your arms round your body and if need be, leave the room. Chances are she's just getting silly - raising the level and that needs to be taken back down again. Tapping her nose could actually be raising the level - she probably thinks this is part of you playing with her. It also helps to yelp, as her litter mates would have done (and they too would turn their backs on her to end the game). Instead of tapping her nose, you could also, gently, take her head in your hands, and with eye contact, say No Biting!, and then get up and end the interaction. She has to learn that this behaviour won't bring the response she's looking for - more of the same. She is only a baby, and this is how she would have interacted in the nest which is why she's doing what she's doing. Her siblings wouldn't have handed her a toy - they would have got out of her way (or maybe bitten back)! Add Why do people around here think puppies of 9 weeks are teething (another answer). They are NOT. It's not until 4/5 months do the adult set of teeth start coming in. Puppies have their baby teeth from around 3 weeks and keep 'em until they start to fall out, with the eruption of the adult set.

Answer 3

Teach children how to behave around a dog and how to play with a dog. No pulling of the tail or ears.No sticking the fingers in dog's eyes or ears. Knowing how to walk with a dog not to pull at the leash hard..
Keep small children away from puppies. They are teething and want to bite.
Know the warning signs when a dog is not happy.
Most of the time it is not the dogs fault when they bite but the person that has gotten bit.

Answer 4

Bribe with doggy treats. Look it in the eye and blink. Act very friendly. Hit the dog gently. Hold his mouth tight and look him in the eye. This shows you are the boss. Wave stick around and pretend to hit the dog

Answer 5

1:never look a dog in the eye (you're challenging them if you do)
2:never corner a dog
3:avoid if you see the fur (hackles) on their back standing up
4:avoid if its baring its teeth or if they are making a low gutteral sound and dont panic a dog can sense your fear and then it knows it can dominate you.
5:put a muzzle on the dog

Answer 6

Er - don't annoy any dogs?

I think we need a few more details - like, under what circumstances!

Chalice

Answer 7

don't make the dog mad or avoid dogs

Answer 8

Get a cat.