Around 5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. And just like any other problem, prevention is better than cure. Understanding a dog’s behavior can help you avoid one nasty bite.

Here are some tips:

• Educate yourself and your family (especially tour kids). Most animal welfare and control organizations hold seminars to schools and groups.
• Be extra careful when approaching tied-up dogs. There maybe a reason why they’re chained. They don’t like it either so you might just aggravate its temper.
• Dogs tend to be territorial and it’s their call. It doesn’t mean that your not in the owner’s property that the dog won’t call it theirs.
• Don’t just go over and pat the critter, especially a stranger. You might not also want to gaze into its eyes, smile, or pat it. These can be perceived as threatening gestures. Dogs stare into each others eyes and bare their teeth to exert dominance.
• Let the animal take the initiative in socializing with you. Just extend your hand and let the dog sniff it.

Just don’t take any chances. Just in case you still get bitten, here’s a first aid tip on handling dog bites.