Dog Bite Prevention & The Importance of Training

Sometimes, it’s not always easy to set limits and boundaries and actually enforce them. This is particularly true when you’re dealing with someone you love very much, like the family dog. When you bring a new dog into your home, particularly a puppy, it’s only natural that you would want to see them happy and having fun while they adjust to their new surroundings. But while it can be hard to say no to your pet, training them is an extremely important step in preventing dog bites and attacks later on.

Nobody ever wants to think that their beloved pet could ever seriously harm someone, but no matter what breed a dog is, or whether it’s a big dog or a small dog, it’s important to accept that this is a very real possibility. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people need to seek medical treatment because of dog bite injuries and you might be surprised by how common it is to hear the owners of those dogs say, “But my dog would never hurt anyone!”

Dog owners have the most power to stop dog bites before they happen. All dogs can potentially bite and there are certain circumstances when even a well-trained, normally friendly dog might lash out and bite or attack someone. But training and socializing your dog goes a long way in reducing the chances that it could happen.

Why Dog Training is Important

Some people don’t want to deal with disciplining or training their dogs because they think it’s mean or makes their dogs feel guilty. But in reality, dogs thrive when they have structure in their lives with firm boundaries in place. Training is good for the dog’s overall wellbeing, both physically and mentally. Reward-based training can be an effective way to help the dog learn which behaviors are good and which ones are to be avoided.

When it comes to teaching commands, you don’t necessarily need to have your dog learn a lot of complicated tricks. Simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it” are very important for curbing a lot of behaviors that can lead to people getting hurt. For example, if a dog tends to get excited when people come to visit, making sure it’s trained to respond to “sit” or “stay” commands can allow people to enter the house without being jumped on.

Socialization should also be a big part of dog training. When dogs bite or otherwise lash out, one common reason is that because they feel afraid or uncomfortable in an unfamiliar situation. Doing simple things like taking dogs for walks around the neighborhood, to play in parks, and introducing them to other people is an excellent way for them to get used to being in new situations so that they’ll be less likely to be afraid.

Get Help from a Dog Bite Lawyer

If you’ve been bitten by a dog, Michigan law holds dog owners liable in most cases, even if the dog doesn’t have a history of aggressive behavior. Don’t hesitate to contact a dog bite lawyer to get help with your case. You can’t always count on insurance companies to do the right thing and a lawyer will make sure you aren’t being shortchanged on the benefits you need. Goodwin & Scieszka has been helping the victims of Michigan dog bites for over twenty years. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.

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