Can Training a Canine Prevent it From Attacking?
The answer is “no,” according to this Pittsburgh lawyer, who focuses on dog bite cases. We’ve handled hundreds of dog attack claims for injured people. We can tell you this: no dog can be made “safe” through training.
It’s often impossible to know what had made an ordinarily gentle dog suddenly tear into the flesh of an adult, child, or another canine. Dogs can’t talk. A canine can’t say when it feels sick, or irritable or threatened. Moreover, some dogs are so damaged from their upbringing that they can never be trusted around humans or other dogs.
But it’s a relevant question. In every dog bite lawsuit we file, we allege that the dog owner had “failed to adequately train” the pet. We say this, even when the offending dog has been trained. Whenever a “trained” dog attacks, there’s a question of fact whether the training had been adequate.
What is Adequate Training of a Dog?
This is a trick question. No competent dog bite lawyer will decide to leave you alone, and refrain from suing you, simply because you can prove you had trained your dog prior to its attack on the Plaintiff. Therefore, the training you get for your pet will not insulate you from personal liability for the harm your pet causes.
The only way to do that is by purchasing good dog bite liability insurance.
Thus, training your dog is more for your own peace of mind. Get your dog trained. But do it for the right reason: to help make is less likely that your pet will injure (or kill) a person, child, or their pet. Adequate training, therefore, is that which makes you feel better about the risk your pet presents to the community.
What Are Good Behaviors Teachable Through Training?
As one reliable authority notes: you cannot teach a pointer not to point, or a retriever not to retrieve. Genetic predisposition can render certain dogs — such as certain strains of pit bulls — inherently dangerous and prone to attack, regardless of its training. Nor will genetic testing prove anything about a dog’s propensity to attack. But assuming yours a dog that can learn new behaviors, the following might be helpful:
Teaching your dog to “lie down” and “stay’ is ideal for preventing biting, as it reduces the chances of your dog confronting the stranger without your permission. Start by teaching your dog these commands inside your home. Use treats as a reward to establish positive reinforcement.
Once your dog has mastered the technique indoors, repeat the process outside. Use the “lie down” and “stay” commands when something distracting occurs, such as seeing another animal. When your dog listens, reward them with a treat.
Once this becomes a reliable command, incorporate a friend with whom your dog is not familiar into the mix. Make sure your dog is on a leash to ensure safety. Instruct your friend to slowly approach your dog when they are already in the “lie down” and “stay” position. If the position is broken, tug on the leash and repeat the command until your dog obeys and calms down. Reward them with a treat for calm behavior. Then repeat the process again, practicing several times a week until your dog is fully acclimated.
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When is Proper Training a Good Defense to a Lawsuit
There is no “strict liability” for a dog bite in Pennsylvania. Rather, the plaintiff — injured by a dog — must typically prove negligence, either through showing that dog (1) had prior and known dangerous propensities or (2) the Plaintiff failed to exercise “reasonable control” over the dog. There is no “leash law” in Pennsylvania or Allegheny County. However, showing that your dog always obeys your commands can serve as proof of “reasonable control,” if your dog is off leash. Moreover, a dog under “reasonable control” will not attack, unless provoked. The defense of provocation is an excellent defense to a dog bite claim, so proof of training can help you defend a dog bite claim.
Overcoming Earlier Training
Unless you owned your dog since it was a puppy, you will not be able to say whether the prior owner had trained the dog to attack. Such training can be impossible to overcome.
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