If you have tracked the headlines at all in this country, then you have likely noticed a trend occurring.
More and more frequently, it seems, people are having bad interactions with dogs.
Particular breeds have been highlighted in these accounts, giving them a notorious reputation as having ill tempers.
However, most experts would agree that it has more to do with the humans that raise them than it does with the breed of dog in question.
If you hope to avoid a dog attack and a trip to a personal injury attorney, then consider these top eight things people do that encourage bad dog behavior.
People who unknowingly encourage bad behavior: #1.
Fail to Recognize the Needs of the Breed Different dogs were breed to perform different tasks.
A dog that is breed for searching out game, for instance, may have a tendency to wonder while following a sent trail.
A dog breed for racing will naturally chase.
A dog that is breed to be the protector will likely be more aggressive.
It is important to understand the instinctual traits of the breed before bringing it into the home.
It is also essential to know what the dog needs as far as care - many breeds require regular, hearty exercise and can become bored or mischievous if they do not get it.
#2.
Leave Children Alone with Dogs Young children are the most at risk of dog attack, say personal injury attorneys.
Not only do they have the tendency to be rougher with the animals, they also don't recognize the warnings from a dog.
Personal injury attorneys recommend that children be carefully taught about how to interact safely with animals from a very early age.
#3.
Miss Red Flags Even adults, however, can miss the key signs that suggest a dog is becoming angered or is feeling threatened.
Missing those red flags can spell serious trouble, so you should spend a lot of time with your dog and learn what upsets him or her, so you will know how to prevent a bad reaction.
Any personal injury lawyer will tell you that most cases of dog attack are followed by the owner suggesting that the dog has never done anything like it before, but chances are the signs were just overlooked.
#4.
Fail to Spay or Neuter Most dogs will see a marked improvement in personality and a great deal fewer aggressive tendencies when the instinct to mate is removed from the picture.
#5.
Encourage Aggression Often dog owners, without realize it, encourage aggressive behaviors.
The best example of this is wrestling with the animal.
Though it may seem harmless in the moment, it can lead to less happy circumstances later.
Personal injury law will not accept the defense that the dog was just 'trying to play'.
#6.
Encourage Solidarity Dog's left alone, caged or chained away from the family, or kept completely away from dogs and people outside the home are more susceptible to aggressive behavior when suddenly presented to someone.
It is best to socialize dogs at a young age and to maintain a certain level of exposure to other people and animals.
#7.
Allow Others to Mingle around the Dog's Bowl Dogs are animals and will protect their food supply.
Allowing children to play around the bowl, or adults to touch the eating animal is asking for trouble.
#8.
Allow Bad Behavior to Continue When a dog does act out in some way or begins to show signs of aggression, the behavior should not be overlooked.
Lawyers recommend speaking to an animal behavioralist or veterinarian about the problem before it is allowed to escalate.
More and more frequently, it seems, people are having bad interactions with dogs.
Particular breeds have been highlighted in these accounts, giving them a notorious reputation as having ill tempers.
However, most experts would agree that it has more to do with the humans that raise them than it does with the breed of dog in question.
If you hope to avoid a dog attack and a trip to a personal injury attorney, then consider these top eight things people do that encourage bad dog behavior.
People who unknowingly encourage bad behavior: #1.
Fail to Recognize the Needs of the Breed Different dogs were breed to perform different tasks.
A dog that is breed for searching out game, for instance, may have a tendency to wonder while following a sent trail.
A dog breed for racing will naturally chase.
A dog that is breed to be the protector will likely be more aggressive.
It is important to understand the instinctual traits of the breed before bringing it into the home.
It is also essential to know what the dog needs as far as care - many breeds require regular, hearty exercise and can become bored or mischievous if they do not get it.
#2.
Leave Children Alone with Dogs Young children are the most at risk of dog attack, say personal injury attorneys.
Not only do they have the tendency to be rougher with the animals, they also don't recognize the warnings from a dog.
Personal injury attorneys recommend that children be carefully taught about how to interact safely with animals from a very early age.
#3.
Miss Red Flags Even adults, however, can miss the key signs that suggest a dog is becoming angered or is feeling threatened.
Missing those red flags can spell serious trouble, so you should spend a lot of time with your dog and learn what upsets him or her, so you will know how to prevent a bad reaction.
Any personal injury lawyer will tell you that most cases of dog attack are followed by the owner suggesting that the dog has never done anything like it before, but chances are the signs were just overlooked.
#4.
Fail to Spay or Neuter Most dogs will see a marked improvement in personality and a great deal fewer aggressive tendencies when the instinct to mate is removed from the picture.
#5.
Encourage Aggression Often dog owners, without realize it, encourage aggressive behaviors.
The best example of this is wrestling with the animal.
Though it may seem harmless in the moment, it can lead to less happy circumstances later.
Personal injury law will not accept the defense that the dog was just 'trying to play'.
#6.
Encourage Solidarity Dog's left alone, caged or chained away from the family, or kept completely away from dogs and people outside the home are more susceptible to aggressive behavior when suddenly presented to someone.
It is best to socialize dogs at a young age and to maintain a certain level of exposure to other people and animals.
#7.
Allow Others to Mingle around the Dog's Bowl Dogs are animals and will protect their food supply.
Allowing children to play around the bowl, or adults to touch the eating animal is asking for trouble.
#8.
Allow Bad Behavior to Continue When a dog does act out in some way or begins to show signs of aggression, the behavior should not be overlooked.
Lawyers recommend speaking to an animal behavioralist or veterinarian about the problem before it is allowed to escalate.
Source...