Dog bite prevention starts with being proactive.
Here’s how.
1- For greetings, keep your dog on leash, behind a puppy gate or under verbal control to help mitigate jumping on people or running out the door.
2- Know the signs of stress: Images for the Dog Decoder App are very helpful to know if your dog feeds unsafe or fearful.
3- Don’t let anyone, especially children hug your dog.
4- Assign one adult to supervise your dog at all times. You can switch up who’s in charge but make sure someone is supervising your dog..
5- Assign one adult to supervise toddlers and small children. Parents get busy socializing and think someone else must be watching the kids. Don’t assume. Keep everyone safe by assigning one adult to supervise the kids.
6- The day before or morning of, wipe your dog out by going for a hike, having a play date or a rockin game of fetch as well as having a great training session. Stimulate her mind and body before the big events.
7- If you notice any of these signs of stress, keep her with you on a leash, , put her in her safe place or in another room with some quiet music and check in on her from time to time. She’ll be much happier being less stressed and everyone will be much safer.
77% of dog bites happen to friends and family. Don’t let your children, friends or your dog become a bite statistic.
About the author: Jill Breitner, is a professional dog trainer, award winning author, writing articles for Dogster, The Whole Dog Journal, Animal Wellness and her own blog. She is also a dog body language expert, loving and living her life on the west coast of the USA. She is the author of Dog Decoder, a smartphone app about dog body language recommended and used by veterinarians, shelters, trainers, educators and guardians worldwide. It’s available in iTunes and Google play. Jill, is Fear Free Certified and has been teaching gentle handling/basic husbandry skills to clients dogs for 40 years. She helps you to be your pets advocate for a happier and stress free life. She also does online dog training, worldwide. Join Jill on her Dog Decoder Facebook page