Measures for Preventing Dog Bites

· Realistically evaluate environment and lifestyle and consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to determine suitable breeds of dogs for consideration.

- Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in households with children.

* Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog and, if.so, delay acquiring a dog.

· Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog or puppy into the home of an infant or toddler.

· Spay/neuter virtually all dogs {this frequently reduces aggressive tendencies).

- Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.

· Properly socialize and train any dog entering the household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose abdomen and relinquishing food without growling).

·Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsble breeders) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

· Do not play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., Wrestling).

Teach children basic safety around dogs and review regularly:

Never approach an unfamiliar dog.

- Never run from a dog and scream.

- Remain motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog {e.g., "be still like a tree'}.

- If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still {e.g,, "be still like a log"}.

- Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.

- Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.

- Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.

- Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

- Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.

- If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

i