Dog Bites – The Ugly Truth & What You Can Do About It

According to PawNation, dog bites in the U.S. have reached “epidemic proportions”.  Looking at dog bites by the numbers, statistics show that in the U.S. last year 4.5 million Americans were bitten by dogs. Half of that 4.5 million were children. Insurance companies paid out $483 million dollars in claims and 26,935 surgeries were performed as a result of dog bites. Whatever the reason for these unacceptable numbers, it’s clear that America’s dogs need some better training and discipline. It’s very important for pet owners to remember that not only does not properly containing and training your dog pose a threat to others, but it poses a threat to your dog too. If your dog bites someone, often times the animal is quarantined and put down. Dogs, much like children, are only as good as their raising. If they are not trained to behave themselves then they will act like their distant kin, wolves. They become territorial, and on occasion predatory. So what can you do as a dog owner to protect others and your pet? Check out our suggestions below!

The ugly truth about dog bites…

Preventing Dog Bites, 101

• Spay/Nueter – A lot of aggression in animals comes from their hormones. Spaying or neutering your dog helps curtail that aggression while serving so many other purposes!
• Socialize your dog – the more varieties of people and pets who your dog is around the less likely it is to become hostile or confused. The less unfamiliar social situations your dog is in the better so be sure to introduce your dog to kids, cats, elderly people and more! The younger you start, the better!
• Train your dog – A well trained dog that knows how to obey commands is much less likely to act out. Furthermore, if your dog is well trained and you see them acting unusually you have more power to get their actions under control before things get out of hand.
• Train yourself – Make sure you know your dog well and are attune his/her communications. Dogs give off signals and as a pet owner you should be able to read these.
• Don’t let your dog run free – When in populated areas or neighborhoods be sure to obey area leash laws. At home, keep your dog in a fenced in yard. Your dog should not be socializing unless you or another person close with the dog are near.

Remember that the responsibility for dog bites lies with the owners. Unfortunately it is usually the pets that end up paying the price. Lets help decrease dog bites in America!

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