The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide some good ideas on how to prevent a dog bite.  Frankly, I’m wary of seeing hurt children and adults who have permanent scarring or even death because of a mean dog.  So follow these techniques and do all you can to protect yourself and your family for a dog bite.

Preventing Dog Bites

Teach children basic safety around dogs and review regularly:

• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.
• Do not run from a dog and scream.
• Remain motionless (e.g., "be still like a tree") when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
• If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., "be still like a log").
• Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.
• Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.
• Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
• Do not disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.
• Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
• If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.