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Did you know that over 4.5 Million people report being bitten by a dog each year. Dog's that bite are extremely dangerous, and it is important that all dog-owners take responsibility and the appropriate measures for dealing with a biting dog. A large proportion of these victims are young children for whom, dogs become a great friend and part of the family. Most of us treat dogs this way, as an extra member of the family, however, with the frequency of dog attacks increasing, dog's are becoming a risky addition when they begin to bite neighbors, visitors, and members of the public.

So what's behind a biting dog? Dog attacks are often accredited to aggressive breeds or naturally bad dogs. The truth is that a bad dog owner raises a bad dog. A correctly trained and cared for dog will not bite or attack, and can generally be trusted when visitors come or out in public. All it takes is a quick flick through the local newspapers to find that the dogs committing these attacks are the dogs that haven't been spayed or neutered, that haven't been properly trained or cared for.

It is up to you as a dog owner to stop your dog biting!

The options for training your dog not to bite are endless. Spaying or neutering is a popular option that your local vet can advise you on. This can decrease aggressive tendencies and dramatically reduce the chances of your dog attacking.

Just like children, your pet needs to be socialized. Introduce your dog to other dogs and people, let him/her learn to deal with unfamiliar faces and situations. This will help in future situations, so your dog won't turn to aggression or biting when around other dogs, visitors or out in public.

As well as general dog training, you must investigate your options for obedience training. If you want to have control of your dog, and have him obey your commands in public, then proper obedience training is an essential way to develop a healthy relationship from day one. The training includes teaching your dog good habits, using positive reinforcement to encourage these good habits. You will also address bad habits, small annoyances such as chewing your favorite slippers, and more vital aspects such as teaching your dog that biting will not be tolerated, to remove your dog's aggressive tendencies.

An important thing to remember is that your dog is another member of your family, your dog should be treated as family, and that appropriate behavior is expected, just as you would with children.

As a responsible dog owner you must integrate this training into every day life, to let your dog know that biting is not necessary, and simply unacceptable. For the safety of your family, friends and neighbors you must be proactive in dealing with dog biting. Remember, not every dog owner acts and trains their dog responsibly. You and your family must be aware of dangerous, un-trained and mistreated dogs, and protect yourselves from becoming another dog bite victim.

All dog's have the potential to bite, whether it be out of fear, asserting dominance, or in defense. Here are a few quick pointers to keep yourself and your family safe from dog attacks.

- Never run at your dog, instead stand still, with arms at your sides, looking away from the dog.
- Be careful not to 'attack' a dog while playing. Rough play can be perceived as an unprovoked attack, and can send your dog into defense mode or enrage him/her.
- Staring into a dog's eyes offers a dominance challenge, inviting your dog to attack.
- Try not to interfere with new puppies.
- Respect your dog's privacy, just like people, dogs have their own needs.
- Never tease your dog. This actually enrages a dog, and will cause dog biting.