Responsible Dog Ownership Month: Preventing Aggressive Behavior

Anyone that is a dog owner likely wants to think of themselves as a responsible dog owner and wants to do everything they can to make sure their dog is not involved in a New Haven dog bite incident. As we take the time to recognize September as Responsible Dog Ownership Month it is important that we recognize all those dog owners who attempt to do the right thing and keep their dogs from causing any issues with others throughout the area.

It can be hard to keep your dog under control, especially with certain breeds, but as a responsible dog owner it is incumbent upon you to make sure you are doing everything in your power to keep the dog from harming others. While you cannot shelter your animal from interactions between your animal and other people, it is important that you take steps to make sure that when those types of interactions happen your dog has the temperament and training to handle the situation.

There are so many things you need to think about when you are a dog owner that you may not have considered when you were thinking about getting a dog. Of course there are the typical day to day things like food and water, a leash to take the dog out for a walk, where the dog will stay when you are at work during the day or away for an extended period of time. All of these things need to be taken into consideration when you’re thinking about whether or not you want to become a dog owner. Then, you will need to consider how you are going to take steps to be a responsible dog owner.

As we go through the month of September highlighting things you can do to be a responsible dog owner, one of the important things you can do is work to prevent aggressive behavior in your dog. As mentioned above, aggressive behavior can be more common in certain breeds, but if any breed is not properly worked with and cared for she/he may become aggressive as well. So, here are some things you can do to make sure your dog is cared for in a way that works to prevent aggressive behavior.

1.) Early socialization. Assuming you adopt your pet early on in her/his life you will want to make sure she/he is exposed to multiple types of people, other dogs and different environments at a very early age. The sooner the dog can be socialized safely, the more comfortable the animal will be in different settings throughout its life.

2.) Reward good behavior. When you are working on preventing aggressive behavior you will want to reward your dog with treats and positive reinforcement when her/his behavior warrants it. If the animal does not follow desired behaviors you will want to avoid punishment as this can cause the dog to get fearful and lead to more aggressive behavior having the opposite of the desired effect.

3.) Consider professional training. While you can do a lot of things on your own to keep your dog from being aggressive, some animals may need some additional training from a professional. If you can make the time and financial investment early on in the dog’s life you will be investing in a safer and less aggressive future for you and your pet.

4.) Lots of exercise. Most dogs need to get out and run around. If they are not doing this they will be more susceptible to being overloaded with energy which could show itself in the form of aggression. If you give your dog ample opportunity to get out of the house, whether it be on a walk or at a dog park where she/he can run around and burn off some energy, the animal will be much less likely to be aggressive.

No amount of training or care can guarantee that your dog will not become aggressive so it is still important to keep a close eye on the animal and make sure to keep her/him out of situations that may make them fearful or aggressive. When a dog feels threatened she/he is more likely to become aggressive and that could lead to a New Haven dog bite injury and cause harm that you will then have to deal with as the dog’s owner.

If you or a loved are bitten by a dog or your dog is involved in an incident you may need to speak with an attorney who has experience with these types of situations. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your situation and work with you to protect your long-term interests.