Many dog owners put up "BEWARE OF THE DOG" signs to warn others that they have a dog, or to deter potential break-ins. While these signs are posted with the intention to protect ourselves and our dogs, in some cases these signs can actually work against us. Let's talk more about it:
Semantics matter
The words we use can matter a whole lot when it comes to the signs we use on our properties in regards to our dogs. Words such as "beware," "warning," or "caution" can be seen as implications that we know our dogs are dangerous or could potentially cause harm. In some rare cases, home intruders can press charges (and win!) against homeowners if they sustain injuries from a dog while they were trespassing. This can even be the case in less overt instances of trespassing, such as if someone sticks their fingers through your fence and gets nipped by your dog.
For anyone who knows dogs, this sounds ridiculous. While it is literally in the DNA of dogs to be friendly towards humans, we can't expect them to not put up a fight when they feel threatened or are provoked (this is true of any animal, including humans!). This is especially true for dogs bred (by humans!) to be especially protective and territorial, such as the Cane Corso, German Shepherd, and Doberman Pinscher, to name a few. Unfortunately, the law doesn't always seem to be built on logic.
What to do about it
There are several things we can do to help avoid the pitfalls of common and popular signs that use implicating wording.
Use signs that simply let people know that dogs live on your property. We have a sign by our front door that simply says "Dogs on Premises: No Trespassing."
Keep gates closed and locked, and place signs on them. We have two gates on our property and they both have signs that read "No Trespassing. Dog on Premises. STOP. Keep Gate Shut. Do not enter without permission or owner present."
Use additional security methods, such as cameras and motion detecting lights.
If you can, use fencing that doesn't allow people to stick their hands and fingers through. If you're unable to have a fenced yard due to HOA or other restrictions, it can be a lot more difficult to stop people from entering your yard. In these cases it would be best to never leave your dog unattended in your yard, even if you have signs and even if your dog doesn't leave your property.
Dog-related laws vary from place to place. To learn more about the laws in your area and how to best protect you and your dogs, contact your local law enforcement and governing agencies.
Other things to note
The common signs that use words such as "beware," "caution," or "warning" could also be used against you if someone is an invited guest to your house and they are injured or even simply knocked down by your dog. If your guest is afraid of dogs or happens to be a repairman, it's probably best to keep your dog somewhere where they won't have a chance to interact with the person, even if your dog is super friendly.
It's okay to have reactive or aggressive dogs! They just come with more liability and need for diligence around safety. If your dog is reactive or aggressive towards people, keeping them in a safe and secure place away from guests and keeping them contained in your home/yard are definite musts.
You could also be liable if your dog frightens a person and they take reasonable defensive measures that result in their injury. For example, imagine this: Someone is jogging past your house, your dog charges at them, they don't see the lead your dog is on or any informative signage, they step into the street to put distance between themself and your dog and are then struck by a bicyclist.
Summary
This article is not intended to instill fear or paranoia, it is simply meant to create awareness. Most people understand that interacting with dogs means an occasional scratch or nip, but it's always a good idea to understand your guests' feelings about dogs before letting them interact with yours. Knowing your dog and how they feel towards most people is also important. Having reliable management systems in place, such as those using fences, appropriate and obvious signage, crates, baby gates, closed doors, muzzles, leashes, etc. is also crucial. Most people don't trespass on other's properties, and most intentional trespassers will quickly skip over a house known to have dogs. No matter what though, putting your best efforts into preventing your dog from causing harm, securing your house and yard, and letting people know there's a dog on your property will only benefit you and your beloved dog.
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