Spay or Neuter Your Dog

• Sterilization reduces your dog's urge to roam and fight with other dogs, making safe confinement easier.
• Spayed and neutered dogs are generally less territorial and less aggressive.

Socialize Your Dog

• Carefully introduce your dog to different types of people and situations so your dog learns to be less nervous and frightened under different circumstances and around different people.

Train Your Dog

• Obedience classes are an excellent way to train dogs, and a great way for dog owners to learn proper training techniques.
• Training your dog is a family matter. Every member of your household should learn the proper training techniques, use proper commands, and participate in the dog's education.

Teach Your Dog Appropriate Behavior

• Refrain from playing aggressive games with your dog such as wrestling, tug of war, or siccing your dog onto another person.
• Set limits for your dog's behavior. If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior toward any person, particularly children, seek professional help from your veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or qualified dog trainer.
• Dangerous or aggressive behavior toward other animals may lead to dangerous behavior with people, and is also a reason to seek professional help.

Be a Responsible Owner

• License your dog and provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccination and boosters.
• For the safety of your dog and the safety of others, don't let your dog roam.

If You Encounter a Dog

• If a dog approaches you, remain calm, stand with your hands by your sides and allow the dog to sniff you.
• Do not try to pet a dog if it is eating, drinking, or nursing a litter.
• Always ask the owner's permission before petting a strange dog. If the owner gives you permission to pet the dog, raise your hand slowly with fingers curled under and allow the dog to sniff your hand before you touch it. Do not try to pet dogs who are roaming freely or whose owners are not present.
• If a dog appears aggressive, back away slowly and calmly. Do not try to stare a dog down, and do not turn and run as a dog's natural instinct is to chase.
• If you are attacked, curl into a ball on the ground and cover your head.