Peeved Pets!

My blog is about my love of Golden's and other pets, but like humans, some dogs are just mean or protective of their surroundings.
They say a dog's bark is worse than his bite, but a government study tells a different story.
The number of Americans hospitalized for dog bites has soared. Common injuries include lacerations, skin infections, and even bone fractures. It is not clear what accounts for this trend.

I don't know about you, but I don't ever want to be bitten by a dog, so the American Humane Society offers these tips for avoiding bites. In my opinion, this is the best advise, never approach a strange dog that is unattended.(even if it is attended, be cautious. I have had people say to me, he don't bite as he is nippy at my feet. Ask the person to put the dog up , for a sure bet that you won't get bit. If meeting a friend's dog for the first time, hold out your fist and allow the dog to sniff before you pet it under the chin(not the head). If an aggressive dog approaches you, stand still, hold your hands at your sides, keep quiet, and look away. When the dog loses interest, retreat calmly and slowly without turning your back.
That sounds like good advise, but I work for a pharmacy and on occasion I have to deliver prescriptions, when our driver is not available. Most of the time I call ahead and ask the customer if they have a dog and I ask them to put it up to avoid any problems, or if I pull up in front of their house and a barking dog comes out, I toot my horn, so the owner puts the dog away.
 I guess that seems a little extreme to many people, but our delivery driver has been bitten by a dog, that the owner said"he don't bite". The dog had to be destroyed. Being an animal lover, I don't want to have to see that happen.  I would never say my Golden Retriever  don't bite, because he is very protective of his enviroment.

 I understand, sometimes it  unavoidable to come in contact with an aggressive dog, so when that occurs, take the advise of the American Humane Society.