Most people will say that dogs don't bite without a reason. There is obviously some truth to this. Most times there is something the dog is repeatedly trying to tell us or presence of some very obvious signs. We don't notice these things that clearly indicate that some aggression and irritation in the dog is looming large and may soon result in a bite. At other times it is often silly mistakes that we make in training or socializing the dog that leads to dog bites in some situations. So what are these indicators that we miss and what are those things that we should do but do not that leads to our dogs biting and getting a bad name? This post looks at those factors and tells us the steps we can take to make our dogs more balanced and content and prevent the possibility of them biting someone to a considerable degree.

Not Giving Enough Attention

The most dangerous, yet quite common mistake that many dog owners make is not giving enough attention to the dog. Dogs are one of those animals that require constant attention and pampering, they are like kids in that respect. When they don't receive it they get bored and cranky. They might become whiny and in many cases aggressive. Now, if somebody comes over to your home in such a situation and your dog tries to jump over him/her, and you scream instructions like "sit" or "go" to your dog, you are totally setting the stage for a dog bite.

Your dog sees this person as a competitor for your attention and one of the impulsive responses could be to snap, bark or bite that person. What you need to do to prevent such situations is not to leave your dog alone for too long. Instead indulge your dogs in treasure hunts by hiding treats for it all over the house. Your dog will stay busy and you can continue with your work without too much worry. Pamper your dog with treats, read out stories to them and pat them affectionately. On the other hand, if you know that on certain days you will have to be out of the house and won't be able to give any time or attention to your pooch, keep it in a doggie day care or arrange for a pet sitter for that time.

Being Laidback in Training

It is extremely important to train your pups properly and be consistent and continuous with your training. Dogs are quick learners and very responsive, but do remember that if you train them once a week on how to behave with strangers , and sometime let whole weeks go by without training, your dog will forget what he has learned and will be as good as not being trained.

You need to train them regularly whether it is toilet-training or behaving with strangers. When you start feeling that they have acquired the new behavior patterns thoroughly and often display good behavior, treat them with something they really like. This will really reassert those positive learned behaviors.

So you need to train your dog to not bark and snap at strangers and to listen to your instructions around other people as well as when you both are on your own. Similarly, when you take your dog outside for a walk, be proactive, watch what it is doing. Don't let your dog take you for a walk but keep it the other way round. So whenever you see your dog getting too close to another person or exhibiting some sort of aggression towards someone, calm your pooch through words of praise and comfort as well as subtle reprimanding and take it away from the source (person or thing) that is making it uncomfortable.

Setting No Boundaries and Rules

As smart as they are, dogs still need to be told what they can and cannot do, and especially what they cannot do. Etiquette, courtesy, rules are not programmed into their head and if you want these to slowly find way into your dog's mind you will need to set rules and expectations. Make it clear to your dog that peeing on the carpet, baring its teeth to people and jumping on them, especially kids is not acceptable. Similarly, if you don't want your dog to come on the bed of your guest room or kids' room ensure that you never take it there itself and when you both are there; it is not on the bed, but on a rug below. This way it will never try to get into the bed, even when your guests are around. If you somehow are finding it difficult to instill these behaviors and make the rules clear to your dog, consult a trainer to do these tasks. Rules are good not just for keeping your dog more safe and disciplined but also for its own well-being and balance.

Not Socializing Enough

The most ripe time for socialization for puppies is their first seven weeks of life. Its bonds are made at that time and it also requires the maximum care at this time. To make relationships that it understands and cherishes forever, spend maximum time with your puppy during this time. Play with it gently and introduce it to all those places and people that it will be interacting with in the coming years and weeks. At the same time also keep it along with you while watching other people walking their dogs or doing their chores like jogging. If a stranger comes close to pat it, watch your pet's reaction and train it accordingly. Gradually encourage it to play with other people as well. Befriend it with other canines, but always keep a close watch so that the other dogs don't end up bullying your little pup. Your dog needs to form strong bonds and trust people and other canines now. It has been observed that puppies that have not been socialized properly often grow up to be timid dogs that many times bite out of fear of perceived danger to themselves rather than any other reason. At this point you can also take assistance from professional pet breeders to ensure your pup grows up well balanced and affable.

Not Making Your Pets Exercise Regularly

Most breeds of dogs need to be kept active and involved in some physical activity because they are a storehouse of energy. So when regular exercise is missing from their routine, some dogs tend to become lazy, overweight and attract many diseases while some breeds that are really hyper become agitated and drain out their energy by chewing off things at home, ripping apart pillows and cushions, barking incessantly and is some cases by jumping and biting people who visit home or sometimes even their owners in agitation. Hence one more way you can eliminate a grumpy, more prone to bite dog is by giving it ample exercise.

Keeping Dogs with Kids without Supervision

This is again a common mistake many owners and parents make. While dogs make great companions for kids, kids and especially toddlers can also be quite unintentionally painful to dogs. They may end up pulling its fur or tail or repeatedly putting their hand in the dog's mouth or trying to squash the dog or sit on it, in a way that hurts the dog. While dogs that are exceptionally well trained may stand up stoically to all this kiddy torture, most won't at the pain they feel. Their impulsive reaction would be to push away this source of pain, which is the kid and they might do so by snapping at the kid, biting it in response or even pushing it away with force. Hence, owners should never leave kids with dogs alone.

Conclusion

While these are a few things owners can take care of to prevent dog bites, if you have been a victim of dog bite, the story is different. Being attacked and bitten by a dog without provocation and suffering injuries is traumatic for anybody physically, mentally and emotionally. The owner of the dog, or whose premises the incident takes place in must recompense the victim. When I was bitten, St. Louis dog bite lawyers need not just get me the best settlement but were also a source of strength during the healing process, especially as the medical expenses were really high and the owner of the dog was being very difficult. As a dog bite victim, first thing you need to do is check whether the dog has been properly vaccinated or not, seek immediate medical assistance and consult an expert dog bite lawyer to get you the best settlement.