I would add to the following five “tips”, the following: “6. Feed your dog amply and repeat as necessary. A human cannot possibly appreciate the role of stomach in the life of a dog, especially if that dog is a Labrador retriever in which case an empty stomach can be genuinely disruptive to pleasant relations between species.”
No matter his size or breed, any dog will bite under the right circumstances, so it’s up to owners to take steps to keep their dog under control. Some tips, from the American Kennel Association.
1. Research dog breeds before you bring one into your home. Some need considerable training and exercise if you’re going to keep them under control. Do you have the time and commitment they’ll require?
2. Don’t let your dog run free. Keep your dog on a leash when in public. Keep him behind a secure fence at home. Sure, an electronic fence might keep your dog in your yard, but how will you keep people and their pets away?
3. Socialize your dog. Start socializing him from Day One so he’s not uneasy with strangers. Even loving dogs may bite when they feel threatened.
4. Train your dog. He needs to respond to basic commands like “sit,” “down,” “stay,” “heel,” and “come.” He needs to drop toys on command so you don’t have to reach into his mouth to get a toy. Play non-aggressive games like fetch rather than with games that will teach him bad habits like tug-of-war.
5. Do not set your dog up for failure. Be cautious when introducing your dog to new situations, avoid situations where he might be teased, and remove him if there are signs he’s uncomfortable.
(source http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/pets/top5/6122623.html)
March 8th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Cool!!! Good point of view, loved it. Great site, congratulations.