Often dogs lash out when reprimanded for doing something wrong. This is because the dog does not know what it is doing wrong. It only knows you are being aggressive. Remember a dog should not be punished for anything after three seconds of the act, it just does not understand. Any punishment after that time can result in the dog fearing you and can often cause aggression.

Smack a puppy which nips you and you will just teach it to nip and run. Shout 'ouch' and ignore it. Teach it that nipping is not rewarding by ignoring.

Biting by dogs is a serious problem as these statistics from America show.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, dog bites are responsible for 4.5 million injuries every year in the U.S.A., 750,000 people requiring medical attention and 334,000 ending in a hospital emergency room. The Insurance Information Institute reported that insurance companies paid an estimated $250 million in dog bite liability claims in 1996. More than half of all dog bites come from familiar dogs, those of friends, neighbours and even the owner’s own dog.

While some breeds may have more aggressive tendencies, all dogs are potential biters so don't be misled by size.

However the Humane Society of the United States reports that period from 1979-1996, five breeds, the Pit Bull, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Husky and the Alaskan Malamute, were responsible for two-thirds of fatal dog attacks and, in two years from 1980 to 1996, 304 people died from dog attacks.

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that dog attacks in the U.S. are the No. 1 public health problem for children, with more than half of all children bitten by age 12, most before the age of nine years. The leading reason for dog euthanasia is aggressive tendencies.

Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.