Below are a few tips to help prevent biting behavior:

• Socialize your dog beginning when you bring him home. Undersocialized dogs may feel uneasy when approached by strangers. These otherwise loving dogs may bite out of fear.
• Train your dog by teaching him, at the very least, basic commands like 'sit', 'down', 'stay', heel', and 'come'.
• Train your dog to drop his toys on command so that you do not have to reach into his mouth to retrieve the toy.
• Be cautious when introducing your dog to new situations. Be ready to respond to any signs that your dog is starting to feel uncomfortable and remove him from the situation.
• Do not put your dog in a situation where he is likely to feel threatened or teased. You may want to confine your dog in these potential situations.
• Play non-aggressive games such as fetch. Games such as tug-of-war could encourage inappropriate behavior.
• Small children should never be left unsupervised with a pet.

To avoid being bitten, keep the following in mind:

• Practice safe behavior when around unfamiliar dogs.
• Children should be taught to always ask the owner for permission before they pet a dog.
• Respect a dog's space. Keep your hands away from a dog's fence. A dog considers his yard personal property and may growl or bite to protect it.
• 'Let sleeping dogs lie' is a good rule to follow. That goes for a dog that is eating or drinking as well.
• Be cautious around a mother dog with her puppies. She will be naturally protective.

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