Center for Canine Behavior Studies

The Center for Canine Behavior Studies (CCBS) advances the scientific understanding of canine behavior to improve the safety and well-being of both people and dogs. Through its Be BiteSmart (BBS) program, CCBS delivers free, evidence-based education that prevents dog bites, strengthens the human–animal bond, and helps keep dogs safely in their forever homes by reducing fear, misunderstanding, and relinquishment.

Be BiteSmart (BBS) is a public education initiative of the Center for Canine Behavior Studies (CCBS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding of canine behavior and improving the safety and well-being of both people and dogs.

BBS was created to address a critical and often overlooked issue: preventable dog bites, particularly those involving young children. Each year, hundreds of thousands of children are bitten by dogs in the United States alone, many resulting in serious physical injury, emotional trauma, and—in some cases—the surrender or euthanasia of the family dog. These incidents are frequently not the result of “aggressive dogs,” but of misunderstood canine communication and unsafe interactions that can be prevented through education.

Our approach is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: when children and families understand how dogs communicate, safer interactions follow. Through free, evidence-based educational content, BBS teaches children, parents, and caregivers how to recognize canine body language, respect boundaries, and engage safely with both familiar and unfamiliar dogs.

BBS content is specifically designed for real-world use—delivered through short, engaging videos, digital resources, and shareable materials that can be accessed anywhere, at no cost. Our programs are developmentally appropriate, culturally adaptable, and scalable for global distribution across homes, schools, pediatric and veterinary settings, shelters, and community organizations.