A dog can make a wonderful addition to your family, but even tiny dogs can come with some liability issues for homeowners. If you are considering purchasing or adopting a dog, here are a few things you can do to protect yourself from potential liability issues.

Update Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy

Contact your homeowner's insurance provider and discuss the current coverage you have for potential dog bites. You may already have some coverage built in, but depending on the breed you are looking to get, you may need to take out an additional rider. Some insurance companies won't extend coverage for vicious breeds, so you may also want to take that into consideration when looking at different types of dogs.

Look At Your Property's Security

If your yard has a fence, inspect it to make sure there are no weak points that your new dog might be able to escape through. Keeping your dog secure in your yard is one way to help guard against liability issues. If you don't have a fence, consider installing one before the dog comes home. In some cases, an invisible fence can be used until a permanent physical structure can be put in place.

Sign Up For Obedience School

Training your dog not to attack can be another great way to help prevent dog bites. This is particularly key when you have people visiting your home where your new dog may be territorial. Work with your obedience school to cover commands your dog will respond to and ask for advice on how to socialize the particular breed you choose. By making your dog more comfortable around people and ensuring the pet can respond appropriately when commanded to do so, you can help ensure he or she will be calm when people are invited into your home.

Post A Sign

While posting a sign that makes people aware of a dog's presence in your home won't absolve you of liability or legal responsibility, it can serve as a warning for anyone who might try to enter your home without permission. It also serves as a friendly alert to anyone with allergies who might enter your home.

Talk to your homeowner's insurance agency like ALTRE Insurance Agency Inc like about any liability concerns you might have before getting a dog, and make sure you take the proper steps to help make sure that you, your family, and your neighborhood will be safe when you bring your new dog home.