Dog Bite Prevention Week

Did you know that the third week of May is National Dog Bite Prevention Week? While our canine friends are wonderful friends and companions, dog bites do happen, and can be very serious. While there’s no way to ensure that Fido will never bite anyone, there are some things you can do to reduce the chances of this happening. Below, a Tipp City, OH vet discusses preventing dog bites.

If your canine buddy is still intact, talk to your vet about spay/neuter surgery. Dogs that are intact are much more likely to try and run off in search of love. They also tend to be more likely to fight other dogs. Fido will be much calmer, and better behaved, if he is fixed.

Make sure that Fido knows and obeys basic commands. The most important ones are Sit , Stay , Come , Heel , and Lay Down . This is just as important for small dogs as it is for big ones!

Dogs that weren’t properly socialized as puppies are much more likely to have behavioral issues as adults. If your furry friend is still a puppy, take time to expose him to new places, faces, and experiences. This will help your pooch grow into a friendly, well-behaved adult.

It’s always best to avoid situations that could make your dog lash out. If your pooch is territorial or wary of strangers, keep him in a back room when you have guests. Also, be careful about letting young children interact with your furry pal. While some of our canine buddies won’t bat an eye if a toddler roughhouses them, others aren’t quite that patient. You don’t want a youngster finding out the hard way that Fido hates having his tail pulled!

If you have a yard for Fido to patrol, make sure your fencing is secure. Many bites happen because dogs get out of their yards. Also, keep your dog leashed at all times when you take him off your property.

Keeping up to date with Fido’s vaccinations is very important. If your dog bites someone, and you can’t prove that he is current on his rabies shots, you could find yourself in a legal nightmare!

Do you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s health or care? Call us! As your Tipp City, OH animal clinic, we are here to help.