​This week marks National Dog Bite Prevention Week and is dedicated to educating people on how to prevent it from happening. Dogs are lovable furry friends but it is important to know how to conduct yourself around them or an unfamiliar pup. There are many ways to prevent negative encounters with dogs and we would like to share a few with you:

• Be polite and never approach an unfamiliar dog—especially one who is tied up or confined behind a fence or a yard—as they might see you as a threat or intruder
• Do not pet a dog without letting them see and sniff you first
• Do not disturb a dog while they are sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy or caring for puppies

Also, it is important to be aware of a dog’s body language. A pup who is backing away from you, has his or her ears pulled back, teeth drawn and/or is growling is not one to pet. Make sure you put a safe amount of space between yourself and a dog if you notice these signals which indicate a dog is uncomfortable and feeling threatened. Sometimes small children do not know any better and are often the victim of these unfortunate events. Make sure to educate your family on how to properly interact with furry friends in order to prevent them from occurring.

*Dog bite prevention tips were found on the website of the Humane Society of the United States.