How to Avoid Being Bitten by a Dog
And Help Prevent it from Happening to Others
A dog bite can be nothing more than a quick jab by some sharp teeth, or it could be a full on, take a chunk out of your arm bite. Either bite can be deadly if the dog has not had its rabies shots. If the dog has been vaccinated, the person who was bitten could still face a few stitches and possible trauma. Many people who have been bitten by a dog never get over it and live in fear of dogs. To avoid that, you need to learn how to avoid being bitten by a dog.
My mother grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. There was an alley in the back, as is common with row houses. The kids were playing and someone yelled "mad dog" and the kids scattered. Unfortunately, my mother didn't get inside her fenced yard fast enough and the dog bit her in the face. She went through the series of 21 shots and it turned out fine, luckily. The best part, she never had a fear of dogs after the indecent. She went on to own several large breed dogs over the course of her life.
Sometime you may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You cannot protect yourself 100 percent of the time, but you need to do the best you can to avoid a dog bite from your own dog or an unknown dog.
How to avoid being bitten by your own dog
- Make sure your dog has all the required immunizations.
- Have your dog spayed or neutered to cut back on unwanted litters. Neutering a male dog will help toward making him less aggressive.
- When you get a puppy, be sure to socialize him with other dogs and people.
- A dog that feels threatened may bite.
- Be sure your dog learns basic commands.
- Don't play rough games with your dog. A dog that gets overly agitated may bite.
How to avoid being bitten by an unknown dog
- Don't walk up to a strange dog and pet it. You don't know if the dog will be friendly or not.
- Teach your kids not to taunt a dog through a fence, or to stick their hands inside to pet a fenced dog.
- Don't offer food to a strange dog.
- Don't assume a dog won't bite.
Out of the 4.7 million dog bites each year, the majority of the victims are children. The second largest group of people that are bitten each year are senior citizens. According to AARP, dog bites account for one-third of all processed claims submitted through renters' insurance policies or through homeowners' insurance policies. Learn how to avoid being bitten by a dog and you won't become a statistic.
Be a responsible dog owner.
Source:
Personal Knowledge
Published by Abby Greenhill
Abby is a retired Administrative Assistant. She is a pet lover who has many years experience as a dog owner. She loves to take road trips anywhere up and down the East Coast and tries to stay current on ne... View profile
What to Do If You Get Bitten by a Dog in Bangkok, ThailandBangkok has thousands of stray street dogs, which can bite you if you're not careful and even give you rabies. Here's what to do if you get bitten by a dog in Bangkok, Thailand.
How to Prevent Your Dog from BitingLearn how you can reduce the chance of your dog biting someone.- Simple Things You Can Do to Prevent Injury If Attacked by a DogIf you are attacked by a dog, there are some simple things you can do to prevent a bite or further injury.
- Dog Bites and Insurance CoverageDo you know if your home owners' insurance covers you in the event that your dog bites someone? It is a good idea to find out, because the financial implications of a serious dog-bite incident can be significant.
- How to Muzzle a DogSome times only a muzzle will do when necessary treatment or injury creates the need to handle the dog against his wishes.
- Preventing Dog Bites
- Dog Bite Prevention
- How to Protect You and Your Family from Vicious Dog Bites
- 23 Ways to Avoid Being Bitten by a Dog
- How to Prevent Dog Bites
- Children and Dog Bites
- How to Protect Yourself If You Are in Danger of Being Attacked by a Dog
- Do not assume a dog will not bite.
- Learn easy ways to avoid being bitten by a dog.
- Your dog needs to learn basic commands.
19 Comments
Post a CommentThank you for the good advice!
Excellent article Abby! I never assume a dog won't bite.
I like your tip "Don't assume a dog won't bite". Anything with teeth can bite.
My mother was bitten by a dog years ago. She was selling Avon and went to the persons house every 2 weeks for a couple of years. The one time she went out the door with nothing in her hand the dog nailed her. It was a nasty bite and caused pain for a very long time. This is a needed article Abby.
good points
Good tips
No sir ! ' My dog doesn't bite but that one there does !
I'm a bit wary of dogs, so I'm unlikely to get into trouble, but these are all good points to remember.
I have a gigantic love of all dogs, but as large a respect for their potential in harming someone. Common sense and this article will help people. My husband was a dog handler in the military and he knows so much about dogs, he has taught me a lot. And I can tell you people do a lot of things wrong. thanks for the article Abby.
Good tips. I'd like to add one more. "Listen to the handler." If someone asks if they can pet Tomlin it's usually ok (unless he's working). What I hate is when people ask for permission and try to pet anyway. It's just not smart.