Training Your Dog to Avoid Aggressive Behavior
Dog attacks are a common issue in California. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 4.5 million people are injured by a dog in the U.S. every year. These statistics often seem high to people and may cause you to wonder whether or not dog owners put enough effort into training their pets. While many owners take their pets to obedience classes that teach dogs how to heel, shake, and obey other types of commands, it is less common for people to specifically train their dog not to bite. This article takes a look at a few of the ways to prevent dog bite incidents through training.
Socialization
When bites happen, it’s usually because the dog is either being territorial or feeling afraid. It’s important to ensure that your dog feels at ease when they are presented to new situations. When you first have a new puppy, you should get them familiar with a variety of people, places, and situations. This tactic is called socialization. When puppies are better socialized, they tend to be less territorial and/or afraid in new situations. Additionally, correcting biting behavior in various situations when dogs are young is both more effective and safer. Being firm with a puppy about biting can break the habit.
Older Dogs
If you adopt a dog who is no longer a puppy, the training process is a bit different. Experts believe that dogs younger than four months benefit the most from socialization strategies, but they can still be effective for older dogs. Make sure that you maintain a positive attitude while you introduce your dog to new situations. If you are nervous, your pet may notice and feel anxious as well. Give your dog frequent rewards for good behavior and make sure that others are safe while you are in the training process.
Having Your Dog Neutered
Neutering your dog is important for many reasons. Among the most important is decreasing the risk of aggressive behavior. Aggression in dogs is linked to the hormones they release if left unneutered and dogs who have been neutered are generally less likely to bite.
Obedience Training
If your dog is obedient in general, they are usually less likely to become aggressive. Because training uses basic commands, you can often use it to distract animals in stressful situations. Your pet will also benefit from their training in other ways. Dogs who are highly trained tend to be more confident and less anxious in new situations. This helps to avoid confrontations that could result in serious injuries.
California Dog Bite Law
In the state of California, the owners of dogs are legally responsible for the actions of their pets. This is true even if the dog has never been aggressive before. Additionally, dogs need to be leashed and under full control of owners in public places and fencing must keep dogs from escaping private property. If you suffer a dog bite, it’s very likely that you are owed compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.
More Articles Written by Grass Valley Dog Bite Lawyer, Ed Smith
Grass Valley Dog Bite Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Grass Valley dog bite lawyer. If a dog attack left you with serious trauma, please get in touch with me for free, friendly advice about what options you may have. I am available at both my toll-free and local numbers, (800) 404-5400 and (530) 392-9400.
I’m proud to have been assisting people who live in Grass Valley with personal injury claims for more than 37 years. You can view my settlements and verdicts for information about my history of successful advocacy. I also encourage you to check out my reviews at:
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