Why Do Dogs Bite?
With very few and very rare exceptions, dog bites do not occur out of anywhere. Dogs communicate with their body language, and sometimes that can be very subtle. In most cases, dogs will display warning signals before they bite. Most people understand obvious body language like growling and barking, but dogs will also display subtle body language like a change in posture or “whale eye.”
Fear
Even though dogs may appear aggressive by barking and lunging, most of these aggressive behaviours are actually rooted in fear. Dogs can become fearful for a lot of different reasons, like off-leash dogs approaching them or feeling cornered and threatened. When the dog begins to exhibit aggressive behaviours like barking and lunging, this is called “being over threshold.”
Once a dog is over the threshold, they aren’t in the right frame of mind and may react by biting. These aggressive behaviours are usually rooted in fear, and in most cases, the dog just wants to create more space.
Startled
The saying “let a sleeping dog lie” became a popular saying for a reason. A dog who is startled awake out of his sleep may be confused and disoriented. His initial reaction is going to be to protect himself, which often means biting at whatever he perceives as a threat. It’s important to never wake a sleeping dog by touching him or by allowing children to touch him.
Resource Guarding
Dogs find value in things like special toys and chews. When they are afraid that these items could be taken away, they may bite to keep these items in their possession. This is called resource guarding. Resource guarding can happen when a dog is trying to protect his item from another dog or even a human.
Threatened
Anytime a dog feels threatened or trapped, he may bite as a way to protect himself. Sometimes even being behind a barrier like a gate or being kept on a leash could make a dog feel trapped.
Pain
Even the most tolerant dogs can bite if they’re in pain. Being injured or sick is stressful, and a dog will naturally try to protect himself by attempting to bite to keep people away. If your dog is injured and you have to approach him, it’s important to keep this in mind. For this reason, it’s important to muzzle train your dog from a young age. Muzzles are simply a tool designed to keep you and your dog safe, and a muzzled dog does not mean he’s a bad dog! A muzzle will allow you to treat your injured dog in a much quicker manner.
Never Punish a Growl
Most dogs will growl before they bite. No matter how shocked or upset you are, it’s important never to punish your dog for growling. Your dog’s growl is simply the best communication tool he has available to him. If you punish him for growling, it’s possible that in order to avoid the punishment, he will no longer growl. This actually increases the risk for an unprovoked bite.
How to Stop Dog Bites
When it comes to dog bites, prevention is key. It’s important to become familiar with dog body language so that you can understand any subtle warning signs your dog is giving. This will allow you to intervene in any situation and advocate for your dog, which is what prevents dog bites!
As your dog’s owner, it’s your job to set him up for success in various situations. It’s important to understand your dog’s thresholds and keep him under the threshold at all times. It’s also important to avoid putting him in any situations that he may not like and where he may be uncomfortable.
Use positive reinforcement training. Work with an experienced positive reinforcement trainer as soon as you get your dog. This trainer will explain dog body language to you as well as the key concepts of training. They will help you understand your dog’s behaviour so that you can live together peacefully.
Socialize your dog. Work with your trainer to socialize your dog. This doesn’t mean interacting with all sorts of people and dogs. This simply means exposing your dog to different sights, sounds, and smells while engaging with your dog and keeping him calm.
Leash your dog and muzzle train. Your dog’s safety should be one of your primary concerns. This means keeping him leashed, especially in new situations. Muzzle training is also a good skill that all dogs should be taught. Since all dogs can bite when they’re in pain, training them to like a muzzle will keep everyone safe.
How to Be Safe Around Dogs
Did you know that children are the most common victims of dog bites? It’s important to teach children from a young age how to interact safely with dogs. This means not allowing them to climb on dogs, take their toys, or tug on them. It’s also important to never allow them to wake a sleeping dog.
When in doubt, the safest thing is to separate children and dogs completely. This can be done through the use of dog crates, exercise pens, and baby gates. Dogs and children should be supervised at all times so you can closely watch and intervene when necessary.
Some other skills to interact safely with dogs:
- Never approach a strange dog
- Never corner a dog
- Never put your face near a dog’s face
- When you’re meeting a new dog, never lean over them and put your hand directly over their head. Always stand still, turn your body slightly away from the dog, and allow the dog to approach you on his terms. When you attempt to pet the dog, always reach your arm out slowly to the side.
Conclusion
Every dog is an individual, and some dogs will get over the threshold more easily than others. It’s essential to educate yourself on dog body language, along with your dog’s preferences, so that you can advocate for your dog.
Always remember to set your dog up for success by keeping him on a leash and separated from new people or children. Working with a positive reinforcement trainer is always a good idea! It will help be a good bonding experience for you and your dog, and you’ll learn a lot about your dog’s behaviour.
