Dog attack prevention

CDC recommendations for dog attack prevention

• Realistically evaluate environment and lifestyle and consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to determine suitable breeds of dogs for consideration.
• Dogs with histories of aggression are inappropriate in households with children.
• Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog and, if so, delay acquiring a dog.
• Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog or puppy into the home of an infant or toddler.
• Spay/neuter virtually all dogs (this frequently reduces aggressive tendencies).
• Never leave infants or young children alone with any dog.
• Properly socialize and train any dog entering the household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose abdomen and relinquishing food without growling).
• Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.
• Do not play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).
• Teach children basic safety around dogs and review regularly:
• Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Never run from a dog and scream.
• Remain motionless when approached by an unfamiliar dog (e.g., "be still like a tree").
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., "be still like a log").
• Never play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
• Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_States