See Who Follows Your Lead
- A pet will follow its owners lead. If you behave properly and teach good social behaviors to your pet, chances are your animal will be well behaved and non-threatening.
- Spay or neuter your pet. This reduces an animal's aggression and aimless neighborhood wandering in search of excitement. Try to discourage aggressive play and train on appropriate limits of behavior.
- Try to give as much attention as possible to your pet. Dogs that are left alone all day either indoors or tied outside tend to have behavioral problems. Dogs that receive a proper amount of attention are better socialized and better behaved.
- Be sure to restrain your dog outside, even when it is fenced in. Also, consider keeping pets in a separate room when you have guests visiting your home.
- Post warning signs on your fences and encourage others to do the same.
- In the unfortunate event that your dog does bite someone, seek immediate medical assistance. Give the victim the dog’s license number and date of last vaccination. Some municipalities will require that you report this to the Board of Health. Until the authorities notify you of further action taken, keep the dog in the house.
