National Dog Bite Prevention Week

This week, May 15th - 21st, is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. 

Pet Sitters International, the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters is urging dog lovers to think twice. Like their article states, when we are walking dogs, we try to avoid other people and animals for everyone's safety -- humans and animals alike. I've turned around and walked the other way and sometimes had to run to avoid an unwanted situation many times. The nightmare is when there is a loose dog running at you while walking a client's dog; or a small child running toward you to pet the dog you're walking, which is a dog that doesn't like being around children. As you can imagine, over the course of fourteen years I've encountered all kinds of situations. 

All dog lovers need to remember that not all dogs that are being walked are being walked by their guardians. Their pet sitter or dog walker may or may not know how that dog will react in any given situation. It's safest for us to just avoid others.

Prevention is the key and Pet Sitters International has some good tips for all dog lovers in this article on how to prevent dog bites....and be on the look-out for the new leash badges!