It's always disturbing when a family dog nips the kid next door or bites the mailman.
Often, the family say they had no idea the dog would bite.
But that doesn't change the injuries, lawsuits, and long-term anger that can come from a biting dog.
The time to begin stopping a dog from biting is when you are picking out your dog.
While it's true that there are no "bad" breeds, it's also true that some breeds require more time, effort, attention, and training experience than others.
If you're a first-time dog owner picking out a family dog, ask around for advice in choosing the breed.
Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers have a well-deserved reputation for being easy-going dogs, though they still need training and socialization.
The working breeds, such as collies, Rottweilers, and Dobermans are intelligent, high-energy, and protective dogs that are easily bored and can be hard to handle.
They need effective training and a lot of attention to keep from getting out of control.
Again, ask for advice, but if in doubt, a little-bit-of-everything mutt is probably the best choice of all.
When a new puppy comes to your home straight from the litter, it's hard to believe you will ever need to take that cute little ball of fluff or its little bites seriously.
But now is exactly the time to take biting seriously.
Don't play biting games with him, and don't allow him to bite your fingers, even in fun.
If he does bite, immediately give a sharp-pitched "Ouch!" and ignore him for a minute or two.
Now is when you're training him for behaviors you will accept into adulthood.
If you don't want a 90-pound adult dog biting your hand, stop the 6-pound puppy from doing it.
Give the puppy appropriate chew toys, and when he fetches, wait for him to drop the toy before you throw it again.
Don't wrest a ball from his mouth and then play with him.
It gives him the wrong idea about what is appropriate play.
As the puppy grows, teach him to get along in a variety of situations.
Once he's had his immunizations, including kennel cough, start walking him in all different situations -- country roads and city streets, beaches and forests, loud places and places with other dogs.
Try to make the experience fun for him and reward him for being friendly to everyone and every dog that greets him.
Be sure to protect him from people or dogs that might do something to make him fearful.
Get him used to other dogs by taking him to a dog park of doggie day care.
You'll need to watch how the dogs interact in the dog park.
Although most people take only friendly dogs there, you don't want your puppy to have to deal with a bully and become fearful and defensive.
At doggie day care, the staff are likely to be well trained in watching dog behavior and they can help your dog learn to socialize with others.
When your dog is around strangers, even as a well-trained adult, watch for the warning signs of fear or stress.
Like humans, a dog in pain or who feels threatened is more likely to lash out defensively than a dog who feels safe and comfortable.
Watch for the warning signs: ears back, tail tucked, cringing.
It doesn't matter whether the dog has a "reason" to fear.
If the dog feels fearful, you have a responsibility and opportunity to defuse the situation before it gets out of hand.
After you have resolved the stress, then expose the dog to a friendly variety of the same situation, with lots of praise and rewards for good behavior.
The vast majority of pet dogs go their whole lives without hurting anybody.
Training your puppy with both firmness and kindness and then knowing how to read your dog's signs of stress will protect you, your neighbors and your dog from the dangers of being a biter.
Often, the family say they had no idea the dog would bite.
But that doesn't change the injuries, lawsuits, and long-term anger that can come from a biting dog.
The time to begin stopping a dog from biting is when you are picking out your dog.
While it's true that there are no "bad" breeds, it's also true that some breeds require more time, effort, attention, and training experience than others.
If you're a first-time dog owner picking out a family dog, ask around for advice in choosing the breed.
Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers have a well-deserved reputation for being easy-going dogs, though they still need training and socialization.
The working breeds, such as collies, Rottweilers, and Dobermans are intelligent, high-energy, and protective dogs that are easily bored and can be hard to handle.
They need effective training and a lot of attention to keep from getting out of control.
Again, ask for advice, but if in doubt, a little-bit-of-everything mutt is probably the best choice of all.
When a new puppy comes to your home straight from the litter, it's hard to believe you will ever need to take that cute little ball of fluff or its little bites seriously.
But now is exactly the time to take biting seriously.
Don't play biting games with him, and don't allow him to bite your fingers, even in fun.
If he does bite, immediately give a sharp-pitched "Ouch!" and ignore him for a minute or two.
Now is when you're training him for behaviors you will accept into adulthood.
If you don't want a 90-pound adult dog biting your hand, stop the 6-pound puppy from doing it.
Give the puppy appropriate chew toys, and when he fetches, wait for him to drop the toy before you throw it again.
Don't wrest a ball from his mouth and then play with him.
It gives him the wrong idea about what is appropriate play.
As the puppy grows, teach him to get along in a variety of situations.
Once he's had his immunizations, including kennel cough, start walking him in all different situations -- country roads and city streets, beaches and forests, loud places and places with other dogs.
Try to make the experience fun for him and reward him for being friendly to everyone and every dog that greets him.
Be sure to protect him from people or dogs that might do something to make him fearful.
Get him used to other dogs by taking him to a dog park of doggie day care.
You'll need to watch how the dogs interact in the dog park.
Although most people take only friendly dogs there, you don't want your puppy to have to deal with a bully and become fearful and defensive.
At doggie day care, the staff are likely to be well trained in watching dog behavior and they can help your dog learn to socialize with others.
When your dog is around strangers, even as a well-trained adult, watch for the warning signs of fear or stress.
Like humans, a dog in pain or who feels threatened is more likely to lash out defensively than a dog who feels safe and comfortable.
Watch for the warning signs: ears back, tail tucked, cringing.
It doesn't matter whether the dog has a "reason" to fear.
If the dog feels fearful, you have a responsibility and opportunity to defuse the situation before it gets out of hand.
After you have resolved the stress, then expose the dog to a friendly variety of the same situation, with lots of praise and rewards for good behavior.
The vast majority of pet dogs go their whole lives without hurting anybody.
Training your puppy with both firmness and kindness and then knowing how to read your dog's signs of stress will protect you, your neighbors and your dog from the dangers of being a biter.
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