Most people realize that any dog, no matter the size or breed has the potential to bite, whether it be another dog or a person. Dog bites are extremely common and often end up in court. There are some things you should know about how to avoid dog bites and possible legal action.

The first and most obvious thing is to know your dog's temperament and his or her tolerance for different stressful situations that could provoke a bite. Small dogs are actually just as likely to bite as a bigger dog. The main difference is the amount of damage caused by a small dog, versus the bite of a larger dog. Some breeds or breed mixes may be more prone to biting, not because they are a "vicious" breed,  but because they were bred for a certain purpose. A herding dog, like a border collie, uses its mouth to move the animals its herding, so he may try to do that with a group of children. Hunting dogs have a high prey drive and may be likely to chase after other animals or small kids that are running around. Guard and protection dogs, may react to what they determine is a threat. In all these cases, proper socialization to other people and situations is crucial.

What would cause a dog to bite? It is usually a case of fight or flight because the dog feels stressed or threatened. A child playing with a dog may be teasing the dog without realizing it.  A dog that is sick or in pain may also be likely to bite. There are warning signs to watch for that can help you avoid a dog bite. Aside from the dog growling and baring its teeth, a dog that is agitated will stiffen its body and tail. The hair on the dog's back often stands up and, if you can see the whites of the dog's eyes, this is a sign that he or she is ready to attack. The best thing to do in this situation is to slowly back away from the dog. Keep your eyes averted and your head lowered. This will signal submission and the dog may back down. Although it may seem like the best thing, do not turn and run away. This tells the dog that he should chase you. If it is possible, put something between you and the dog. You can even wrap your forearm in a jacket and use that to protect your head and neck.

A dog that is panting without his or her tongue hanging out is stressed. Other behaviors that could indicate a dog is feeling stressed or threatened include nervous actions like, shaking, biting his paw, sudden interest in self grooming or unusual interest in a familiar object. These actions are things to dog may do to avoid or distract itself from whatever is causing the agitation.

If you have a dog that can not be trusted to be around people without a threat of a biting incident, you should keep your dog separated from people, either by keeping him crated, or in a fenced area. If you need to take your dog out in public, to the vet for instance, use a muzzle on your dog.

If your dog bites someone, be as polite and accommodating as possible. Be apologetic and offer to get a copy of your dog's vaccination records. Offer to drive them to the doctor or hospital. Offer to pay or have your insurance pay the bills. Write down the name of the victim, when and where it happened, and what the person and the dog were doing at the time of the incident. If there were any witnesses to the incident, get their names and contact information in case there is a lawsuit.

With some knowledge and care, dog bites can usually be avoided. They are traumatic for everyone involved. You  must be a responsible dog owner to protect people and other animals from your dog, and protect you and your dog from the consequences of a dog bite situation. 

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First, if your dog barks because it is bored, it needs some exercise. Many dogs will need lots of exercise. Take your time to play with your dog and give it the attention it needs. Dogs that are constantly outside are especially prone to feeling lonely and bored. Give your dog chewing toys to keep it busy. You must also interact with your dog as often as possible. This will also alleviate its loneliness and boredom.

Maybe you should consider getting a second dog. Some dogs need company. Sometimes it is enough if you just let it meet other dogs. The company of another dog can be a valuable help to stop excessive dog barking. Some dogs barks because they want to communicate with other dogs.

However, perhaps the best way to stop it, is to train your dog. You can train it to avoid excessive barking, you'll need to train your dog. Dogs, like people, learn through association. If your dog can attract your attention through barking, it will do it as often as possible. You are actually rewarding it. Note that there are "good" barking, that has to be rewarded and "bad" barking, that has to be corrected.

You must reward your dog for this kind of barking, since it is needed and welcome. Pet it for a minute or so. Let the dog know this kind of barking is allowed. Believe me, dogs will know what kinds of barking are desirable and what are not, if they get the proper feedback.

Every time your dog barks without reason, you have to tell it to stop this behaviour. To reduce excessive dog barking, shake your hand in front of your dog. At the same time, simply say "no" in a very firm voice. Do not yell at your dog. And do not hit your dog either, this turns out counter productive for his behaviour. This could make him aggressive, which is the last thing you want. When the barking stops, reward your dog with praise. If it remains quiet for a minute or more, you can repeat the praise

Training a dog in general can be a bit of a mine field. There is so much to take in, what I have covered above just scratches the surface. To train a dog properly you really need to have some structure around what you do. There are many things that you need to take into consideration, such as exercise, diet, discipline, behavioural issues to name a few. I did a lot of research and tried lots of different things.

My dog Sammy is a Border Collie and had various behavioural problems, I tried a variety of so called dog training methods, such as different types of dog collars, books, diets etc. Some of these things did help, but the reality of it all was I had no structure or guidance from anyone to help me. Eventually I found my and now I understand why Sammy barks, he knows when its right to bark and when its not. Things are so much better for everyone, including the neighbours!!

Shelties are known as Shetland Sheepdogs when referring to their breed name. They are oftentimes confused with a Collie, and sometimes even called "miniature collies." However, for those who are unfamiliar with the two dogs, a Collie and Sheltie are two very distinct breeds. They do look alike, but the differences between the two are quite vast.

Sheltie Size:

As a breed, a Sheltie is a bit smaller in size than a Collie. Weighing in at 15-25 pounds, in comparison to a full-grown Collie which in adulthood weighs 40-70 pounds and can stand up to 25 inches in height.

Coat of a Sheltie:

Although a Sheltie appears very much like a smaller version of a rough-coated Collie, a Sheltie coat does not come in the same two colored variations as a Collie. Additionally, a rough-coated Collie, which looks very much like a Sheltie, also has a cousin, a smooth-coated Collie with a coat of hair that measures 1-inch in length.

History of a Sheltie:

Collies first came into existence around the 17th century in Scotland and were used as sheep herders. It was their responsibility to keep a herd of sheep together. Shelties, however, were developed in the Shetland Islands during the 1800's, and while they were used for herding purposes, their task was very different. Shelties were used on the farm to prevent sheep from entering vegetable fields to graze. The reason that they appear so similar to a Collie is because it was one of the breeds that went into creating the Shetland Sheepdog.

Personality of a Sheltie:

Collies are a breed of dog that have a regal quality and refined demeanor. They are a calm breed, particularly indoors, and might appear to be somewhat aloof in the presence of strangers. In contrast, a Sheltie is quite lively and energetic. They have a sense of clownishness that a Collie simply does not. They are by very nature, much more active than a Collie and not as wary of strangers.

Shelties are also highly intelligent and make a great companion for children, being very patient and sweet natured. They are also very easy to train, though if you are looking for a less active companion- type of dog, a Collie may be better suited.

A Sheltie might seem more content for apartment life than a Collie, just because of the size difference, but this is not always the case. Though Shelties are smaller, they are more active and need more activity and exercise than a Collie, who is content with a daily walk to meet their exercise requirements.

Rottweilers, being a very strong, athletic, and responsive breed, always love a good challenge. Sporting with your Rottweiler is a great hobby because it provides the Rottweiler the exercise he or she so desperately needs and is an incredible bonding experience. Besides that, it's just plain fun for you and your dog!

Amongst the traditional dog sports of carting, hunting, and agility trials, dog rally competition has recently become very popular. It is a newer sport and almost exclusively practiced in the United States. It is a systematic combination of agility and obedience trials, and the competition factor is based around race car driving, hence the term "rally."

Training for dog rally competitions is a very intensive process. As with any training regimen, it is best to start as young as possible. The Rottweiler is an intelligent breed, and is thus somewhat hardheaded. Proper obedience training as a puppy will make rally training so much easier when your dog is old enough to compete.

In rally competitions, your dog must race to each of fifteen to twenty course stations at which he will perform the required agility or obedience task. There is a limited amount of time in which to complete this task and the entire course. Each task is judged by a professional.

Rottweilers excel at certain aspects of rally competitions and fall short in others. While they are strong, agile, and fast, competing against a smaller herding dog like a Border Collie could mean you're in tough competition! This should not be discouraging - the skill of any rally team depends almost entirely on its owner's training ability and the dog's willingness to compete. With the right Rottweiler, you could leave any bouncy little Border Collie in your dust!

If you are new to the sport, or even new to the concept of rally, that's no problem. Rally offers three separate levels of competition. The novice level allows you to compete with your dog on his or her leash, which is more lax than most other competitions. This means you will have the opportunity to start competing in rally quickly, rather than spending months training for your first competition without any active experience at a rally meet. Novice meets will also give you an opportunity to observe dogs that perform at higher levels.

Many Rottweiler clubs offer rally competitions, and there are non breed-specific rally clubs as well. If you're interested in pursuing a rally career or hobby with your Rottweiler, you should get in touch with one of these clubs and begin training. Rally is a great way to stay fit for you and your dog, and is an incredible bonding experience for an owner and their pet.