Why Dogs Bite

Why Dogs Bite

I don’t think there’s a single person I know who hasn’t been bitten by a dog. Statistics show that more than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and most of those victims are children. Dog bites are typically done by familiar dogs and occur during everyday activities. There are several reasons why dogs bite, and it's essential to understand that the cutest, fluffiest, and nicest dogs can be provoked to bite anyone. And it’s not just sick or old dogs that bite. Dogs you have known for years, your own, big or small, male or female, dogs are still animals.

But Why Do Dogs Bite?

Have you ever been confused about why a dog has bitten you? I mean you were just playing around with her and tried to take her ball, and then before you know it, she bites your hand. Dogs have a tendency to protect their possessions like their toys, food and water dishes, or their dog bed. A better understanding of why dogs bite can help you avoid being injured.

Doggonesafe.com has a list of reasons why dogs bite. I know there are a few on this list that my kids have done to cause our dog to bite them.

• The child has hurt or startled it by stepping on it, poking it or pulling its fur, tail, or ears.
• The dog has not learned bite inhibition and bites hard by accident when the child offers food or a toy to the dog.
• The child and dog are engaging in rough play, and the dog gets overly excited.
• The dog views the child as a prey item because the child is running and/or screaming near the dog or riding a bicycle or otherwise moving past the dog.
• The dog is of a herding breed and nips while trying to "herd" the children.

A few other reasons not listed could be they are showing dominance. There’s always that one dog that thinks they're the ‘top-dog’ in the family. It could be maternal aggression for female dogs. Even well-trained mama dogs can be overly protective of there new litter, even from family members. Dogs usually give a warning before bitting. Dogs will growl or just nip people as a warning. It’s important to read these cues before a dogs aggression escalates. Injuries caused by a bit can be very serious and require hospitalization.

A Place to Socialize

There are ways to help prevent your dog from biting. One way is to socialize your dog at a young age. Diamonds in the Ruff offers doggie daycare in Abilene for those who are looking for a place where their pet can interact with other dogs and people. Socialization can be an excellent way to help your dog to feel more at ease and comfortable in different situations. Check us out at www.diamondsintheruffpetboarding.com or call us at 325-695-2931 to learn more about what we have to offer at our facility.