Today barks the beginning of National Dog Bite Prevention Week in which we aim to educate people with simple ways on avoiding a bad encounter with these furry friends. We all know dogs are loving, loyal, protective animals but they also need to be taken care of and respected. Our main goal is to make sure we can all give some good belly scratches with no rough play necessary.

Here are a few ways to prevent negative encounters:

• Be respectful of every dog, always ask if you can pet some else’s dog
• Let a dog sniff you first, it’s their way of ensuring you’re a human who wants to pet them and not a threatening predator
• Never disturb a dog when they are eating, sleeping, chewing on a toy or nurturing their little ones
• Keep an eye on small children, teach them proper ways to approach and pet any dog
• If you notice aggressive behavior, keep your distance
• Always have your dog on a leash, even if he’s a good boy

If you are the owner, remember to take your furry friend to regular check-ups.

These tips were found on AmericanHumane.org, check them out for more information.