How to Behave Around Dogs

DESPITE THE FACT THAT MORE THAN HALF THE HOUSEHOLDS IN AMERICA HARBOR AT LEAST ONE PET, MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL FRIGHTENED OF DOGS.  BECAUSE HARMLESS PETS ARE LOW KEY, WHILE IT IS THE VICIOUS ATTACKS THAT MAKE THE NEWS, THOSE FEARS MAY CONTINUE TO GROW.  ALTHOUGH DOG ATTACKS CAN OCCUR, KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE CAN PREVENT MOST OF THEM.  FIRST OFF, IT IS THE YOUNG, MALE, NON-NEUTERED, NON-SOCIALIZED DOG THAT IS KEPT CONFINED IN AN OUTDOOR LIVING SPACE THAT IS MOST LIKELY TO BE TERRITORIAL AND VIOLENT.  AVOIDING THESE DOGS IS AN OBVIOUS GOOD START TO REMAINING SAFE.  IF YOU OWN A DOG OR CAT, IT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TO HAVE IT SPAYED OR NEUTERED.  WHEN APPROACHING A DOG, DO IT CAUTIOUSLY, BUT WITH CONFIDENCE.  LOOK FOR SIGNS OF AGGRESSION SUCH AS A GROWL, A STIFF TAIL, OR MENACING LOOK.  OFFER THE DOG A SNIFF OF THE BACK OF YOUR HAND.  WHEN IT APPEARS SATISFIED, PAT OR RUB ITS CHEST OR SIDE.  PUTTING YOUR HAND OVER OR ON ITS HEAD CAN BE INTERPRETED AS ACT OF DOMINATING THE DOG.  KNOWING HOW TO TREAT ANIMALS PROPERLY CAN ELIMINATE 90% OR MORE OF ANIMAL ATTACKS.