Kid Safety Program

Spay or neuter your dog. Hormones have a significant impact on behavior and can cause both male and female dogs to act in aggressive and/or destructive ways. Spaying or neutering will not only make a dog less likely to bite, it will also decrease a dog's tendency to wander. The best age to spay or neuter a dog is at the beginning of puberty, between six and eight months old.

Train your dog. Proper manners not only benefit you and your dog but also others. A well-behaved dog is less likely to upset people and pets in public places and will be more welcomed at gatherings.

Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don't teach your dog to chase after or attack others, even in fun. Don't play aggressive games (such as wrestling or tug-of-war) with a puppy or adult dog. Be careful of physical games because your dog can't always understand the difference between play and real-life situations. Set appropriate limits for your dog's behavior.
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Be a responsible dog owner. License and vaccinate your dog. Provide proper identification, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, and keep your dog healthy with regular visits to your veterinarian. Follow the leash laws; for everyone's safety, don't allow your dog to roam. If you are having guests over, consider putting your dog away during the times you are unable to supervise him. Make time for your dog; dogs that spend too much time in the doghouse or tied in the backyard have a greater chance of developing behavioral problems such as aggression.

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