If you have a dog, it’s important to take steps to keep both your guests and your pet safe during this season. Here’s what to consider when planning your next friend hangout.
Texas Laws for Dog Owners
When a dog bites or injures a person, Texas law allows the injured person to hold the dog’s owner liable for those injuries if:
- The owner knew or had reason to know the dog was aggressive, or
- The owner was negligent in handling the dog, even if the dog has never been aggressive before.
Friend gatherings create many opportunities for a dog to become stressed, overwhelmed, or defensive. From the dog’s perspective, biting or attacking may be its only option. Friend gatherings create many opportunities for a dog to become stressed, overwhelmed, or defensive. From the dog’s perspective, biting or attacking may be its only option. Therefore, an injured guest may be able to demonstrate that the dog’s owner was negligent in failing to anticipate these situations or prevent the injury.
To protect your dog from stress and your guests from harm, it’s wise to keep safety in mind when planning a fun gathering for everyone, including your pet.
Putting Guest Safety First
Moments during a friend gathering at an apartment or home might stress or overwhelm your dog include:
- Food preparation, especially in a crowded kitchen. Many favorites are tempting for dogs, but the press of people in a kitchen can feel like a competition for food. Feeling pressured to compete for treats, a dog may lash out.
- Crowds, especially of unfamiliar people. Dogs thrive on routine, including familiar faces and people. Friend gatherings disrupt that routine. When they include people the dog sees only a few times per year, the dog’s stress increases.
- Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells. Guests, food, moved furniture to accommodate tables, and other changes in a dog’s familiar environment can also raise a dog’s anxiety. When pushed too far, a dog’s fear can reach a breaking point – and result in injuries.
Not all dogs who are “smiling” or panting are happy. Sometimes, these expressions signal stress or discomfort. If a guest misinterprets these signals as signs that the dog is open to petting, the dog may cause injuries.
Even happy, excited dogs can cause injuries during a friend gathering. Large dogs can knock a guest down, causing harm. A large dog might also knock over a table, plate, or mug, resulting in burns or other injuries. Small dogs underfoot increase the risk of a guest tripping.
To reduce the risk that your dog might bite or injure a guest:
- Tell guests your dog will attend the party, too. Let guests know the dog is home and where to expect the dog: “Spot is staying in our bedroom, please don’t open the door,” or “Fluffy’s crate is in the living room if you want to say hello.” Telling guests in advance can help them approach your dog calmly, which also helps the dog get acquainted without getting overwhelmed.
- Give your dog a getaway. Choose a quiet room in the house, fill it with your dog’s favorite bed and toys, and close the door. Post a sign warning guests that your dog is enjoying some quiet time, and the door should stay closed.
- Create space. If you don’t have a spare room or you’re holding a small event where your dog knows everyone, consider keeping your dog in a crate or on a leash. These items help create a “buffer zone” between your dog and what’s going on around them.
- Remind guests not to feed your dog treats. Dogs taking food from people’s hands can get excited and accidentally bite fingers instead of food. Therefore, if you want your dog to join the meal, research which foods are safe for dogs and prepare your dog a plate of their own.
A dog’s natural instinct is to protect its home and family. When its surroundings change, a dog’s wariness rises. Keep this wariness from turning into an instinct to fight by creating space between your dog and the bustle of a friend gathering.
How Safety Measures Keep Your Pet Safe, Too
Safety measures protect both your guests and your dog. When your dog has space, they feel less stressed. Separating your dog from the kitchen and from guests with food will prevent them from getting into chocolate or other foods that could harm them. Also, an adventurous dog won’t use the arrival of guests as an excuse to slip out unsupervised.
If you’re injured by a dog during a friendly get-together, speak to an experienced North Texas dog bite lawyer today. The team at Chandler Ross PLLC can help.
