Did you know that you can be held liable if your dog bites someone? If you have a dog it is best to take steps to ensure he doesn't bite. In the meantime check your homeowner's policy or your renter's insurance to ensure that you are covered in the event the worst happens.
Throughout the United States, but in every state there is a 'one free bite' rule. What this means is that the owner is judged to not have had reason to suspect their dog would bite someone. But those rules change drastically once your dog has bitten someone. In addition, you will be expected to take immediate steps to correct the animals' behavior or face losing your insurance.
The insurance company may request any number of changes - they may charge a higher premium, they may exclude the dog from coverage or in severe cases, they may not renew the policy. The bad news is that currently there is no single cover policy dog bite insurance - your homeowner's or renter's policy is the only liability cover available.
The media and television shows tend to portray dogs as vicious animals that will bite on a whim. This is just not the case. Dogs do not bite for just any reason. The best way to deal with the situation is to train your dog in advance about biting before things escalate and you risk losing your insurance.
If you are training a puppy, then teaching against dog biting during playtime is best. Simply take a tug of war rope or similar toy designed for chewing, and begin playing with the puppy. As long as his teeth don't make contact with your skin, continue playing and praising him. Once his teeth do make contact with your skin, say "ouch," take the toy away, stand up, and turn away from the puppy. Count to ten or twenty. If your puppy comes around to face you, simply ignore him and continue counting, then return to the game. Continue this until the puppy no longer tries to bite you.
There are lots of behaviors that dog owners try and stop at an early age - namely, doing their business where they aren't supposed to (on your carpet), chewing up your favorite shoes or the legs of your coffee table, barking incessantly at everything that moves, and forsaking your game of fetch in order to chase after birds at the park. However, one type of behavior absolutely must be curbed in order to maintain a happy and healthy life with your dog, and that is dog biting.
Remember, dogs love to please their owners. Show your dislike in case any bad behavior is spotted. Your dog is shrewd enough to understand your body language. They know if you are giving them eye and you are not pleased. They also know that big smile as well.
For peace of mind, check that your homeowner's policy provides dog bite insurance. Work with your dog to stop the biting habits. And, remember you have to have patience. You can either go about this by socializing your pet with other dogs or by making sure chew toys are available but whatever method you use, be patient.