Threatening behavior — some examples: • Bending over a dog, or rousing him from his sleep • Reaching to touch a dog's head (when he doesn't want to be touched) • Staring into a dog's
eyes (worse, at
eye level, like toddlers do) • Trying to touch or remove a bone, a toy, a bowl of food or anything the dog wants • Screaming near the dog's face or producing
other startling noises in his proximity • Running toward, past, or away from a dog • Walking too close to a dog on leash • Entering a
protective dog's territory • Being afraid in the presence of a dog • Sticking a hand or finger (especially children) inside a dog's enclosure • Making threatening gestures, like raising a fist or wielding a stick • Causing pain, injury, or subjugation to a dog • Overexcitement during play can cause a friendly dog to nip or bite as he would a playmate.
Once any existing medical problems have been addressed and it has been determined that the pet is stable, bathing and
other decontamination procedures may be best performed by trained veterinary professionals using appropriate
protective equipment, such as gowns, gloves, and
eye protection.
Personnel operating dental equipment should wear masks,
eye protection, and gloves or
other protective equipment to prevent nosocomial infection.