Should You Allow Your Dog Around Company?

The season of backyard bbqs and outdoor get togethers is upon us and there is no better way to enjoy visiting with family and friends then to relax among nature.  For dog owners, an outdoor gathering brings with it some questions about safety for guests and their furry friends.  Should your dog be allowed to mingle among guests if they are all outside enjoying themselves?

The short answer is, yes, if you believe you can trust that your dog is not going to get him/herself into a situation where they are committing a New Haven dog bite injury.  The longer answer is, it depends.  You, as the dog’s owner need to have a clear understanding of the dog’s demeanor around large groups of people before you decide if the pooch should be able to join then party.  If the dog is skittish around new people, it may not be a good idea to have her/him outside with the rest of your company.

While you are really the only one that can decide whether your dog will be ok around all of the company you have over, if you’re not sure, here are some questions to ask yourself to decide if your animal can be trusted among the group.

1.) How old is your dog?  While this is not always a determining factor, it is important to understanding your pet’s overall demeanor.  Many older animals will be less open to being fawned all over by adoring company.  This could lead to ornery behavior that may end up having your dog nip at your company.

2.) How does your dog do around food?  In many situations, outdoor gatherings will include food for company.  If your get together will be having food you need to think about whether or not your dog will be aggressive going after food when others are eating.  If your dog can keep her/his composure around food, they may be ok to have outside with company, but if not, you may want to keep the pet inside the house.

3.) Will there be other dogs there?  If your guests are having their dogs come with them you may want to leave your pooch inside.  If your dog gets riled up by the site of other dogs it may be in your best interest and your guest’s best interest to keep your dog away from the others that will be coming over.

You don’t want to ruin a backyard bbq with a New Haven dog bite injury.  You are inviting people over to have a good time and most likely celebrate something.  If you wind up allowing your dog to participate in the festivities you may be opening yourself up for some trouble along the way.  If you do decide to allow your dog in on the fun, make sure she/he has been well fed and well trained to stay away from people.

A dog bite injury can be serious and it’s the last thing you probably want to be dealing with.  If you do get injured by a dog, you may need to seek medical attention and then legal help.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will review your case and work with you to protect your long-term interests.