Dog Bites

Dogs are great pets, but sometimes they can bite even the people they like the best. Here are some tips to help keep you from getting bit:

• Make sure an adult is always with you when a dog is around.
• Don’t play too rough with a dog.
• Stay away from the mean dogs in your neighborhood.
• Don’t go near a dog that’s eating or chewing on a bone.
• Never stare at a dog.
• Never go near a dog that you don’t know.
• If an adult says it’s okay to pet a dog, let the dog smell your hand before you pet him. This is how a dog gets to know you. After he smells your hand, pet him where he can see your hand. Never pet a dog on top of his head first. This can scare a dog who does not know you.
• If you think a dog is going to bite, climb somewhere high – like a tree or on a car. If you have nowhere to climb, fall face down and cover your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to outrun him.
• If a dog looks like it’s going to bite you, give it something like a hat, coat or shoe that it can bite instead.
• Always use a low, firm voice when talking to a dog that looks like it might hurt you.
• Use commands like “Go", “Go home", “Sit", “Down", or “No".