"Dogs are protective and they may perceive letter carriers handing mail to their owners as a threat," said USPS Vice President and Consumer Advocate Delores J. Killette. "For the same reason, we also ask parents to make sure their children don't collect mail from our carriers in the presence of their pets. Employee safety is always our number-one concern."

So how can we prevent dog bites? Simple, says Hollywood dog trainer Bob Weatherwax, son of Rudd Weatherwax of "Lassie" fame.

"Responsible dog ownership is the key to responsible dogs," said Weatherwax. "National Dog Bite Prevention Week is a valuable campaign that will heighten awareness and educate the public about responsible dog ownership. I applaud all the organizations leading this important mission."

• Don't run past a dog. The dog's natural instinct is to chase and catch prey.

• If a dog threatens you, don't scream. Avoid eye contact. Try to remain motionless until the dog leaves, then back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.

• Don't approach a strange dog, especially one that's tethered or confined.

• While letter carriers are prohibited from petting animals, people who choose to pet dogs should always let a dog see and sniff them before petting the animal.

• If you believe a dog is about to attack you, try to place something between you and the dog, such as a purse, a backpack or a bicycle.

• Obedience training can teach dogs proper behavior and help owners control their dogs.

• When a carrier comes to your home, keep your dog inside, away from the door in another room.

• Don't let your child take mail from the carrier in the presence of your dog. Your dog's instinct is to protect the family.

• Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to bite. Statistics from the Humane Society show that dogs that have not been spayed or neutered are up to three times more likely to bite.

• Dogs that receive little attention or handling, or are left tied up for long periods of time frequently turn into biters.

Remember, the type of dog you own could affect how much you pay for homeowners insurance. Owning certain dog breeds known for more frequent bites such as pit bulls or Rottweilers can increase your home insurance rate. Make sure you're getting the best home insurance rate possible by comparing home insurance quotes at InsWeb.com.

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