Ask before you touch - One way to keep your dog from biting a stranger who might intimidate him, even if he's not a biter, is to set boundaries around your dog with other people. Step in when someone you don't know approaches your dog to pet him. Ask the person to approach the dog quietly and calmly and hold their hand in a fist, with the palm down and fingers under the thumb (to protect the fingers). This allows the dog can get a good sniff of the person right away. If the dog does not show any aggression, let the person pet the dog.

There is no way to guarantee your dog will never bite someone, but you can significantly reduce the risk. Here are some other tips to keep in mind.

• Consider your pet selection. Do your homework and be knowledgeable about the breed you have selected for behavioral traits and suitability to your home.
  
• Spay or neuter your dog. Spayed or neutered dogs are three times less likely to bite than intact dogs.
  
• Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to as many people and situations so that he is not nervous or frightened under normal social situations.
  
• Train your dog. Participate in puppy socialization or dog training classes to help you and your dog learn good obedience skills. Training your dog is a family matter and every member of the household should be included and should use the same training techniques.
  
• Be alert. Know your dog and watch for signs that he is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive.
  
• Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Avoid aggressive games such as wrestling or tug of war. Do not allow your puppy or dog to bite or chew on your hands. Do not wait for an unacceptable behavior to become a bad habit or hope your dog will "grow out of it." If your dog shows dangerous behavior toward any person, particularly toward children, get professional help from your veterinarian or a qualified dog trainer.
  
• Be a responsible dog owner. Obtain a license for your dog as required by law and provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations. Do not allow your dog to roam. Make your dog a member of the family (his pack). Dogs who spend a great deal of time alone in the backyard or tied out on a chain are more likely to become dangerous. Well-socialized dogs rarely bite.
  
• Be cautious. If you don't know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. If you think your dog will panic in a crowd, leave him at home. If your dog overacts to visitors or delivery personnel, keep him in another room. Work with professionals to help your dog become accustomed to these and other situations.