As a dog owner, the most important responsibility is to ensure that your pet and those around your furbaby are safe.  Unfortunately, dogs may have unpredictable behaviors such as biting.  

Dog bites are extremely dangerous because they can cause injury, infection, and in the worse case scenario, death.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.5 million dog bites happen each year in the United States and 1 in 5 dog bites become infected.  

There are steps you can take to prevent your dog from biting others.  In this blog post, we will discuss four important tips to keep in mind when training your dog.  Additionally, we will discuss the legal implications of dog bites and how you may be held liable for your dog’s actions.

Socialize Your Dog At A Young Age

From a young age, we recommend that you expose your dog to various types of people, animals, and environments.  Your dog will become comfortable and confident in these different situations.  By socializing your dog at a young age, you can prevent fear-based aggression which tends to be one of the most common reasons that dogs bite.

Train Your Dog

Training is one of the most important ways to prevent dog bites.  Simple obedience commands such as “sit”,”stay”, and “come” can help you control your dog in serious situations.  Additionally, you must train your dog not to bite or nip when playing.  Maintaining consistency and positive reinforcement during training will ensure your dog knows it is unacceptable to bite others.

Watch Your Dog At All Times

It is crucial that you watch your dog at all times, especially when they are around unfamiliar people and are in a different environment from your home.  Well-behaved dogs may exhibit unpredictable behavior in unfamiliar situations.  Keep a close eye on your dog when you are in public and always have them on leash.  

Recognize the Warning Signs

You must be able to recognize the warning signs that your dog is feeling uncomfortable or stressed.  In this situation, your dog might become aggressive and bite others out of fear. Some of these signs are growling, barring their teeth, stiff body language, and raised hair on their back. If your dog is showing any of these signs, take them out of the situation immediately.

How You Can Be Held Liable For Dog Bites

According to the dog bite attorneys at NW Injury Law Center, you can be held liable for any injuries that your dog caused.  Additionally, the victim can use your lack of proper supervision and your dog’s history of aggression against you in court.  Dog bite prevention training is crucial to avoid dealing with personal injury lawsuits.

Essentially, it is crucial to take the necessary steps to prevent your dog from biting others.  These steps include socializing your dog at a young age, providing proper training, supervising your dog at all times, and being able to recognize the warning signs of dog bite behavior. Unfortunately, you can be held liable for your dog’s actions, especially if they hurt other people.  By following these dog bite prevention tips, you can ensure the safety of your pet and those around them.