Instructions
Expose your dog to other people and animals as a puppy. If you don't socialize your puppy early in life, chances are that it will be confused as an adult when faced with situations it has not been exposed to. Begin this socialization before your puppy is sixteen weeks old. Expose your canine to all types of people, such as people of different ethnicities, people with different hair colors, people wearing hats and people with canes or crutches. Exposing your canine to a veterinarian as a puppy is important because it will make it easier when it comes time for checkups.
Enroll your puppy in a training class. This is a good situation for socializing puppies because they will usually be able to experience being around other dogs and humans at the same time. They will also learn valuable lessons that will benefit them as adults, such as learning commands and that biting is a big no-no. Plus, it's always helpful to have a professional to guide you and give you tips on how to train your canine.
Train your children as well as your dog. Teach your children how to pet and handle a dog early in life. Children who do not know how to handle a dog can be liable to hurt the dog, such as pull its tail and cause the dog to bite. For older children, make sure they do not play so rough with the dog that it sends the message to the dog that it's okay to fight and, in some cases, bite. This type of rough play includes "play" hitting or pushing the dog. Even though it may seem all fun and games, even for the dog, it is only teaching your canine that it's okay to be rough.
Touch and groom your dog on a daily basis at an early age to expose it to getting touched. This will help your dog be used to getting petted, even by strangers. If your dog develops a habit to growl when touched, seek professional help right away to address this behavioral problem. By continuing to touch a growling dog, you are inviting yourself to get bit.
How to Avoid Canine Bites at Home
While dogs can be loyal pets, there is also an underlying fear about biting. For those with small children, the fear is even greater. There are some things you can do early in your pet's life and throughout its life to socialize your dog and prevent biting in the future.