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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Much the same as any other domesticated dog breed, the Basenji is a loyal and adoring dog which loves spending time outdoors. For those who know nothing about the breed, the look of the dog can be somewhat different than that of other breeds. The Basenji has a wrinkled brow and extremely large, erect ears which are reminiscent of wild dogs often found in remote place of the globe. Through history, a number of wild African dogs were inbred into the development of the Basenji, so much so that the dog has a metabolism more demanding than that of a typical domestic dog.

The most commonly noted characteristic for the Basenji is the lack of bark. The Basenji is known for having a distinctive yodel or howl. More notable, the dog detests water and those people looking for a water loving breed should stick with a Labrador Retriever. The Basenji is almost cat-like and despises water, and will do whatever necessary to keep from getting wet. The dog will also much like a cat, spend hours pruning themselves and have been known to climb trees, fences and other tall barriers. While a great companion animal, the Basenji is not a dog that requires a high level of owner approval to feel validated.

When seeking a breed of dog that is unique, the Basenji will certainly not disappoint. Owners of the breed, thoroughly agree the dog has a strong independent streak that must be remembered. Though domesticated, the Basenji has a background which makes their natural traits very evident. These traits cannot be ignored and cannot be tempered with any type of training. The Basenji is a breed governed by a sense of freedom in order to stay healthy. People who only know how to treat dogs with dominance will definitely be surprised by a Basenji.

The Basenji is a breed that never shies away from attention. In fact, many people who own the breed opt to have them in a male/female pairing to keep each other company during the day. A secure dog enclosure or a large outdoor space to run and play is essential for this breed because the wild side of their nature is prone to roaming. When outside, the scurrying of small animals across their path will give the Basenji the opportunity to chase after what it sees as prey animals. Many owners have had to chase the dogs because once they see a small animal; they will not stop until they have it treed. A Basenji may also climb the tree in pursuit of the animal it has treed. The dog is one that expects to be able to rove and roam about at free will; this is why it is important to keep the dog leashed at all times.

Basenji's are a small dog about the size of a Fox Terrier, with an affectionate, energetic temperament. The dog loves to play and make an ideal family pet as long as it receives early training and proper socialization.

Miniature dogs are smaller types of the dog family. They are commonly called toy dogs because of their small size. Learn more on some of the most popular miniature dogs.

Many people all over the world own dogs for different reasons. They are considered as man's best friend. There are so many breeds of dogs with different characteristics and abilities.

Miniature dogs are the most popular nowadays among the types of dogs because they are easier to take care. Miniature dogs or sometimes called toy dogs are basically smaller types of dogs than the regular ones.

Many miniature dog owners feel the greater advantages of owning small dogs. For starters, smaller dogs do not consume as much food as compared to bigger dogs. Toy dogs also do not require too much space in their house or backyard. These dogs can easily adapt to owners who live in small apartments as they do not require too much exercise.

Though these dogs are small in size, they have strong and distinct personality. They are also ideal pets for younger children and a good playmate.

If you are interested in owning a miniature dog as your pet, it is important for you to understand that these dogs have special characteristics and needs. For example, the elderly would be more inclined to gentle and affectionate dogs for companion. Some would prefer the kind they could bring with them when hunting. Your lifestyle and personality should be considered when choosing what breed to get. You should also consider your financial capability in terms of providing the necessary food and grooming also.

Many breed of miniature dogs have an excellent intelligence just like the Shetland Sheepdogs. Some are good for dog shows while others are ideal as watchdogs.

Here are some of the most favorite miniature dogs of many pet lovers.

Miniature Poodle
Miniature poodles are considered one of the most popular breed in the world. Poodles are very friendly, obedient and intelligent. This type of dog excels in the field of obedience competitions. They are the most common types used for dog shows. They live longer compared to other types of dogs. Poodles need a lot of grooming and regular bath to maintain its hair.

This breed of dog is originally hairy retriever that has been used to protect flock of sheep. The word poodle was derived from a German word puddle. The miniature poodle that we have known today has originated from the standard poodle from Germany.

Shih Tzu
This breed of miniature dog is fun, loving and intelligent. This toy dog would love to be cuddled and adored. This type of dog likes to be groomed daily and walked on regular places. They are also considered as good guard dogs.

If you decide to own a shih tzu, it is important to groom it daily, otherwise its hair would develop tangles. The coat should also be trimmed in order not to hinder with its daily activities. Its furry body is also prone to nits and ticks so make sure it is bathed and shampooed regularly.

The breed of the Shih Tzu is the result of crossed breeding of Pekingese and Lhasa Apso by the Chinese people. During the time of Empress Tzu-his, the exportation of these breed of dogs is not allowed. It was until the death of the Empress that Shih Tzu dogs were smuggled and reached Europe.

Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is another breed of miniature dog. They are basically easy to maintain compared to other types of miniature dogs. It is the smallest dog breed in the whole world.

Its name was taken from a state in Mexico. These dogs are considered sacred for the Incas.

Whatever breed of miniature dogs you chose as your pet, it is important to know enough information with regards to the characteristics, maintenance needs and abilities before deciding on owning one as your pet.

Though a Shih Tzu is quite smaller than most other dogs at the dog park, your dog would love you to take him or her out for some socializing with other canines. Indeed, this is most important when they are small puppies so that they can grow up without harboring irrational fears of other dogs, new people and strange situations. However, it is very important that you manage such new situations as often as possible while your Shih Tzu is still an impressionable young puppy, otherwise trying such adventures might have a disastrous outcome if attempted in adulthood.

Perhaps the single best reason to make certain your Shih Tzu is a well-socialized as a puppy is to prevent them from developing a habit of fear-biting. Such dogs are not trustworthy because they are so frightened, and being dogs, they lead with their teeth is such situations that are too tense for them to comprehend. Obviously, you will want your Shih Tzu to be a companion that you can take with you in any type of situation.

As a result, there are many things you can do to initiate the dog being in contact with other people. For example, make it a point to take your dog to new places, even it is just a bit new, each day for the first three months you have him or her. This may simply mean taking a new corner at the same park you have always visited, but it is highly important that new smells, new people and new environments are incorporated as much as possible, so that your dog comes to expect new things happening on a regular basis.

Of course, some dogs that encounter your Shih Tzu will not be as nearly mindful of your small dogs limbs and livelihood as you are. It is your duty and responsibility to be somewhat of a tour guide for your dogs first foray into the outside world.

This does not mean that you should pick up your Shih Tzu every time a larger dog approaches. As a matter of fact, this is just about one of the worst things you can do, this just reinforces the mind frame that it is okay to be intimidated and freaked out when a larger dog comes near.

It is a much better idea to manage the encounter by verifying with the other dogs owner to find out if the dog is friendly or not. If not, you can simply guide your Shih Tzu onto another course and walk on the other side of the sidewalk. If the other dog is friendly, allow them to meet and greet each other the way dogs do.

In fact when it comes time to meet other dogs, it is best to let them be as noisy as they want and settle things on their own. Dominance is not something that has to do with the size of a dog, as far as canines are concerned. Though Shih Tzus do not lean towards dominance, males of the breed may sometimes exert dominance over a subordinate dog of any size or breed. Regardless of where your Shih Tzu lands in the canine hierarchy, there will be loud noises, try to not be concerned; it is just dogs learning how to establish a pecking order.

Of course when meeting small children for the very first time, you will have to be more careful than you would with other dogs. Unlike other dogs, small children cannot judge when to stop tugging, pulling, hitting or whatever else they are doing. An unsupervised visit between a Shih Tzu and a small child should not be allowed. Shih Tzus and small children normally become fast friends, however you just need to supervise the situation and exert caution and care.

Beauty Is As Beauty Does
One of the signs of a nice dog is that she's willing to be petted or handled by many different people. So tou need some good dog obedience training . This is important because it makes grooming, veterinary care, and participation in dog sports much easier. Willingness to be handled is a by-product of socialization. The dog who meets a lot of people learns to expect petting in a variety of situations. She learns that touch is pleasant, not frightening.

Start accustoming Duchess to being handled for grooming and veterinary care when she's a puppy. Take her in your lap and gently brush her. Speak softly to her, saying things such as "That feels good, doesn't it, Duchess?" Lift up her ears and look inside them. Run your fingers around the inside of her lips. Stroke her paws and then pick them up and hold them. Although most dogs hate having their feet handled, they can learn to tolerate it if you start early enough and are persistent. A good time for these handling sessions is while you're watching TV.

At first, handle your dog for only a minute or two at a time, then gradually extend the length of time you spend grooming her. When she's cused to having your fingers in her mouth, introduce her to a soft dog toothbrush. You'll be thankful for all of your prep work when her coat grows out and needs frequent combing or when she needs a bath.

Sitting Pretty
The sit command is one of the easiest to teach and one of the most useful. Pups can learn it at an early age, so it's a great way to accustom them to the training process. Requiring your dog to sit is also a great way to reinforce your status as the leader.

The first thing Duchess should learn is that she gets attention when she sits. Not when she jumps up. Not when she runs away. When she sits. Because sit is often the first command dogs learn, it seems to stick more firmly in their brain, and they often respond to it more readily than to any other command. That's why it has so many great uses.

To teach the sit command, start by getting Duchess's attention. Show her a treat and slowly move it upward so she has to raise her head to see it. Most dogs naturally move into a sitting position when they do this. If Duchess isn't quite there, gently push down on her rump while moving your hand back over her head to give her the idea. When she's in position tell her to sit and give her the treat. Practice for only a couple of minutes (puppies have a short attention span) and repeat several times throughout the day. Soon Duchess will recognize that your uplifted hand signals the sit command even if you're not holding a treat.

Practice using the sit command in different situations once Duchess associates it with the action of sitting. Teach her to sit and wait before you pet her, before you feed her, and before you put her leash on. If you're out in the yard and she wanders away from you tell her to sit so she learns to respond even when you're at a distance. This won't be helpful if she's at risk of being hit by a car, but it can be useful in a more controlled situation when you simply want her to wait for you. (A leash, of course, is the best way to keep a dog under control and should always be used in unfamiliar or unfenced areas.)

To teach the wait or stay command, place your dog in a sit. Hold up your hand, with the flat of your palm toward the dog's face, and tell her to wait or stay (whichever you prefer); then back up a few steps. If your dog remains where she is, praise her. Gradually increase the amount of time she must wait before receiving praise or a reward. If she moves out of place, don't punish her, simply put her back in position and start over.

Jumping Up
Jumping is one of the most common complaints people have about their dogs. It may be cute when a puppy does it, but a couple of months later, when her size has doubled, it can become a problem. You don't want Duchess knocking down Aunt Mary or Baby Sue with her exuberant greeting. Replace jumping behavior as soon as possible with the sit command.

Teaching a dog not to jump up doesn't require any harsh tactics. Ignore anyone who tells you to knee the dog in the chest or push her away. Instead, simply pivot so she misses you. Then give the sit command. When she complies, give her a lot of praise or a treat. Repeat this every time she tries to jump up and insist that other people do so as well.

Often, especially with toy breeds, people say that they don't mind, and refuse to participate in the training process. If you have a large dog, that's not really an option because you don't want to run the risk of someone being injured, even inadvertently. It's not so bad with a toy breed, but remember that even small dogs can snag your stockings or scratch your legs when they jump up. It's better if you teach them the same good manners you would teach a larger dog.

Many people get the impression that small dogs have a temperamental disposition and bark excessively, and they tend to view a Miniature Schnauzer in the same manner. This is not completely true where a Miniature Schnauzer is concerned. While these dogs love to bark and are very vocal, this behavior can be tempered with the right training and a lot of patience. They can still be a vocal dog, but not become a nuisance because of excessive barking.

The disposition of a Miniature Schnauzer is very loving towards its owners. They are energetic and lively, but at the same time quite affectionate. They have a strong desire for affection and will actually make themselves sick if they feel neglected. Going for walks with their owner makes them quite happy and content. They also love to lay on the couch and snuggle up along side of their owner or on their lap. When it comes time to go to bed, they love to jump up and burrow under the covers to snuggle.

Miniature Schnauzers are very loyal dogs and fiercely protective of their home and family. Though they might be a bit stubborn on occasion, they are very smart and easy to train. They are also quite spunky and energetic around people and other dogs. Miniature Schnauzers should never be around small rodent like animals, because they will try to chase them down and catch them. There is nothing wrong with their lovable nature, it is inherent with the breed. A Miniature Schnauzer will get along well with other pets in the family who have been introduced gradually over a period of time. They also get along great with anyone or anything they deign a playmate, because playing around is a large part of their life.

Wherever his owners go, he will want to follow and behave as such. The breed grows very depressed when left alone for too long because they are very people oriented animals. They are not a dog that does well when left alone for long stretches of time. They are so affectionate and easily adaptable that they can be content living wherever they are, as long as they have their family. They are not overly attached to specific locations as much as they are to their people. They feel they are a valued member of the family and as such, demand to receive affection and be treated well.

Occasionally you will come across a Miniature Schnauzer that harbors aggression, though this is not normal behavior for this breed. The one thing that can be said about the Miniature Schnauzer is that they have their own minds, whether it be in training or play. For this reason, it is recommended that training commences at an early age in life. If you wait to long for training, it will be harder to get them to respond and do what is expected of them, they have to know they are not the alpha in the household. Once they learn this, they will transform into the most wonderful, loving and intelligent family pet.

We all know that all humans and animals need some exercise, but your Maltese doesn't need to join a doggie gym for its dose of enervating and stimulating exercise. The Maltese does need to exercise to keep the blood circulating and bringing oxygen throughout the body to distribute the healthy nutrients from food. Any activity which does this job is exercise. So, now you are questioning the best way to exercise your Maltese without doing any damage. There are a number of ways to provide exercise which will be appropriate for your pet. Perhaps the exercise choice will also have some human benefit.

All living beings require different amounts and degrees of exercise and this is also true of the Maltese. Your Maltese will be a very lively, energetic creature who may not need a rigid routine of exercise. As a matter of fact, for good exercise, you will probably be able to let this relatively small dog go out and "zip" around the yard for some really good exercise. On days with inclement weather, the "zipping" around could also occur in the house while playing fetch with balls and toys. Also, you may want to "walk" the dog and/or alternate the exercise periods among outdoor play, indoor play and walking. If dogs don't get enough exercise, it is likely that they will gain weight which is unhealthy for the animal and can cause all kinds of problems.

If you are feeling that you want to walk your Maltese, keep in mind that they are adversely affected by temperatures that are either too hot or too cold depending on the length of their hair.. Therefore, be very careful about the weather conditions when you go out. Otherwise, you may end up with a sick dog which is the reverse of what you are trying to maintain (a healthy pet).One thing you can try to do when walking on a sunny day is to choose a shady path on which to walk the dog. It's very possible that when the pair of you are out walking, you may meet up with other owners who are also walking pets. Therefore, you can also view the walk as a socialization experience. Actually walking your Maltese can be socialization for you also. Both of you can meet and get to know your neighbors as well as neighborhood dogs. Perhaps a "dog play date" may even be the result of your constitutional.

Yorkshire Terriers are a small breed of dog classified in the toy group. Standard Yorkies typically weigh between four and eight pounds, with the AKC's standards for show dogs being a more stringent range of five to seven pounds. You may have heard of a "teacup" variety of Yorkshire Terrier, but this is not a different version of the breed. Teacups are simply bred to be smaller versions of their particular breed, with teacup Yorkies usually weighing under four pounds at adult weight.

Many people like the teacup varieties of certain breeds for several reasons. The cuteness factor of tiny dogs certainly plays a part, but often times people want a dog that is portable and can come everywhere with them. Some teacup owners prefer their smaller pets because they live in small apartments, while many just like to have a tiny little dog.

The majority of Yorkshire Terrier breeders are responsible and ethical and focus on maintaining health and temperament in the bloodlines. Teacup breeders should be no different, taking every effort to ensure proper health and stability of the breed, but focusing on small size. In litters of normal-sized Yorkshire Terriers there will occasionally be a runt who can be considered teacup size, but teacup Yorkie breeders actually breed small dogs to keep their litters tiny. When dealing with the teacup variety of any breed, it is very important to research your breeder. The popularity of breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier has led many to try to "cash in" on the craze, breeding unethically and often inbreeding their dogs to turn a quick profit. A reputable breeder will be able to provide references and detailed information on the bloodlines of their sires and dams.

Teacup Yorkshire Terriers may be smaller than their normal-sized counterparts, but seem to be completely unaware of it. They are bold and playful little dogs, excited to play with their owners or go for a long walk in the park, exploring everything. Yorkshire Terriers will be content to spend an evening sitting on their owner's lap watching television, taking a long car ride, or simply being pet while lying next to you on the couch. Yorkies are very codependent and do not do well being left alone for long periods of time. It is important to know whether or not you can invest the time necessary to keep your Yorkshire Terrier happy before getting a new puppy.

Sometimes Yorkshire Terriers, specifically the teacup variety, can be very wary of strangers or other animals. Often times this will be displayed in the form of defensive aggression such as growling or fear biting. It is important to curb this behavior from an early age by properly socializing your puppy. Introducing him or her to your neighbors and their pets, or inviting company over to interact with your new puppy is a great, fun way to help prevent fear-based aggression later in life.