A "Beware Of The Dangerous Dog" sign should be placed at the front entrance to the property to serve as awarning to visitors. However, any person with a legitimate reason for visiting must be able to have unrestricted access to at least one door of the house. If a dog is not adequately confined and it attacks a legitimate visitor on its owner's property, the owner of that dog can be made liable for any damages caused by the dog.
Any dog that is likely to bite should be kept in a secure compound where it can be seen and heard, but prevented from attacking visitors or passers-by.
CORRECTING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR
Many owners do not realise the seriousness
of owning a biting dog until they are required to explain their dog’s behaviour
to a magistrate in court, or to a veterinarian when the dog is destroyed.
Any aggressive behaviour should be addressed immediately after an incident
of concern. It is not behaviour to be ignored or boasted about.
WHERE TO SEEK HELP
A dog that bites because it is frightened
requires a different treatment programme to a dog that bites because it
is dominant or territorial. For this reason it is important for the dog
owner to receive a correct diagnosis of the problem and expert advice to
treat it. The dog will need training, veterinary attention and its behaviour
modified. A veterinarian can initiate a treatment programme and conduct
a physical examination of the dog to rule out sickness or injury as a cause
of the biting.
TRAINING
A professional dog trainer will be able
to assist with some biting dogs. Obedience training may not stop the dog’s
aggression, but it will give the owner more control over the dog. However,
a dog that bites cannot be treated effectively unless its owner is prepared
to put in the time, effort and expense to do whatever is necessary to correct
the problem.
STERILISATION
This method alone does not stop a male or
female dog from biting people, but may be used in conjunction with other
forms of treatment.
