A parent who is selecting a dog should follow certain guidelines to help reduce the chances of the dog attacking someone in the home.
Guidelines:
(1) Seek professional advice in selecting a suitable breed for your lifestyle and physical environment.
(2) Exclude a dog with a history of aggression from a household with children.
(3) If a child expresses fear or apprehension about a dog, defer acquiring a dog as a pet.
(4) Spend time with the dog before buying or adopting it.
(5) Use caution when bringing a dog or puppy into a home with an infant or toddler.
(6) Spay/neuter the dog.
(7) Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.
(8) Properly socialize and train the dog. Teach the dog submissive behaviors.
(9) Seek professional advice immediately if a dog shows aggressive or undesirable behavior.
Suitable sources of professional advice:
(1) veterinarian
(2) animal behaviorist
(3) responsible breeder
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
