| Dog owners, if asked, will usually say that they | | | | Do not mistake territoriality with protectiveness. A |
| couldn't see their dog biting someone. However, a | | | | dog frothing at the mouth and lunging against its lead |
| third of liability claims resulting from dog bites have | | | | when you walk it down the street isn't being |
| taken a chunk out of companies providing | | | | protective; it's being a menace. Having a dog like this |
| homeowner's insurance. Most of these dogs were | | | | also means that you are not in control of its behavior |
| owned by someone. Most of the time it was | | | | and it does not look to you for guidance. The same |
| someone who was irresponsible towards their dogs, | | | | goes for a dog that mindlessly throws itself against |
| who failed to provide training, socialization and/or | | | | the fence when people go by. This is not |
| control. Many of these people are now paying with | | | | protectiveness. A truly protective, well adjusted dog |
| higher insurance premiums and sometimes the inability | | | | has been socialized and trained so that it fits into |
| to find an insurance provider that will cover them, | | | | nearly every family situation and knows when people |
| their dog or subsequent dogs they own. | | | | are behaving normally and when they are threatening. |
| That third of homeowner's insurance liability claims | | | | Even then, dogs are not always aware of when |
| does not endear dogs to insurance companies. In | | | | protective aggression is called for, so the owner |
| fact, many are trying to cover homeowners in | | | | must always be aware of what the dog is doing. |
| everything but their canine companions. Some people | | | | Never leave your dog alone with a very small child or |
| have had to resort to dog-specific coverage, even if | | | | a strange child. Dogs do not have a sense of |
| their dog hasn't bitten anyone. Breed specific | | | | universal love and responsibility towards all children. |
| exclusions are common, as many insurance | | | | They may behave indulgently towards their children, |
| companies view certain breeds as too risky to cover. | | | | but this does not mean that they will allow other |
| Owners of rottweilers, American pit bull terriers and | | | | children the same liberties. Dogs should never be |
| other breeds identified as "dangerous" can have a | | | | expected to take abuse from very small children |
| hard time getting coverage, even if the dog owner is | | | | without retaliation. Keep small children away from the |
| responsible and controls, socializes and trains their pet. | | | | dog unless both are strictly supervised and under |
| Socialize and train your dog. Obedience classes are an | | | | direct control. |
| excellent way to accustom your dog to other | | | | Always have control of your dog. A dog that will only |
| people, other dogs and obeying commands with | | | | come when called when it suits the dog is not trained |
| distractions. It also helps bond your dog to you. Dogs | | | | enough to be allowed off lead except in a secured |
| appreciate assertive leadership and, while some don't | | | | area. When greeting other people, your dog needs to |
| require more than a waggled forefinger and a | | | | be under control at all times. There is no excuse for |
| disapproving, "Bad dog!" to straighten out, respect | | | | allowing your dog to jump all over people or frighten |
| owners who clearly draw the line. Do not equate this | | | | them. |
| with abuse; while a dog has to have very clear | | | | Make sure that your homeowner's insurance covers |
| negative consequences, they should be appropriate | | | | your dog. Some people have found out that their |
| to the situation and to the dog's temperament. An | | | | dog's breed or mere presence means that they are |
| obedience trainer can best show you how to correct | | | | no longer covered under their insurance. Make sure |
| your dog effectively. | | | | that you get a carrier that knows about the dog's |
| Don't anthropomorphize. This four-mile-long word | | | | presence in your home and that offers enough |
| basically means "imbue an animal with human | | | | coverage to cover a dog bite liability claim. Insurance |
| characteristics and values". Your dog cannot have the | | | | is in existence because the unthinkable sometimes |
| right to be protective over food, toys or its body. It | | | | happens. If it does, it is much better to be covered |
| can't be allowed to make decisions about aggressive | | | | than not. |
| behavior. It must be constantly trained that all | | | | Very few people actually want their dog to bite |
| decisions are made by the Alpha and the Alpha is | | | | someone and even fewer want their insurance |
| you. Dogs don't have feelings like human feelings. | | | | premiums to rocket. Despite this, many people are |
| They cannot be reasoned with; they must be shown | | | | flirting with financial disaster by not responsibly |
| how to behave through consistent training and | | | | controlling their pets. Don't let this be you! |
| reinforcement. | | | | |