rockin'robin
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The dog is protecting a possession, food or water dish or puppies
The dog is protecting a resting place
The dog is protecting its owner or the owner’s property
The child has done something to provoke or frighten the dog (e.g., hugging the dog, moving into the dog’s space, leaning or stepping over the dog, trying to take something from the dog)
The dog is old and grumpy and having a bad day and has no patience for the actions of a child
The dog is injured or sick
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
Fortunately, there are steps we can take to address and avoid dog bites, from properly training and socializing your pets, learning to read your dog’s body language and recognizing the triggers to educating your children (and adults) on how – or if – they should approach a dog and to safely interact with the dog.
Do Dogs Bite “Out of the Blue”?
No, dogs do not bite “out of the blue.” There are always warning signs before a bite occurs, but these can be very subtle and may be missed by many people. A dog may appear to tolerate being repeatedly mauled by a child and one day bites, surprising everyone. Sometimes the warning have gone on for months or even years before the dog finally loses its tolerance and bites.
People who own good dogs sometimes are lulled into a sense of safety and lax because “good dogs don’t bite children…or do they?”
Often times, once you determine that you have a “Good Dog” you tend to leave it at that and just go about your life with dog and baby. What we forget to consider is that just like us, dogs have good days and bad days.
On any given day, at any given time, your dog is somewhere along that continuum. Have you ever had one of those days? You know…bad day at work, skipped lunch, lots of traffic, big headache? You come home and even something minor goes wrong and isn’t it possible that you may “snap” at someone you love?
It’s the same with dogs. Even over the course of a single day, your dog may go from feeling relaxed and easy-going to tense and cranky — just like you. Living with babies and small children can make for a grueling day. That 4:30-6:30 time that used to be known as Happy Hour?
It’s often the LEAST happy time with tired parents, babies crying, kids squabbling and a parent trying to make dinner. Everyone is a bit on edge and that includes the family dog.
The trick to preventing bites is to really look at your dog. What does he or she look like when relaxed and happy? What changes when your dog is getting a little worried or overwhelmed? Where is your dog right now on that body language continuum? Take mental snapshots throughout the day and place your dog along that line.
Learn the difference in expressions of dogs that are happy and dogs that want to be left alone:
Signs of Anxiety
Signs of Arousal
Signs of Aggression
Signs of Imminent Bite
Signs of a Happy Dog
Stress to children that they should only pet happy dogs. You may think that your dog loves to have the children climbing all over him and hugging him, but if you see any of these signs, then you are being warned that a bite could occur if the dog feels he has no other way of defending himself. Do your dog and your child a favor and intervene if you notice any of these signs.
Any Dog Can Bite. Here’s How You Can Prevent It | I'm Not a Monster
The dog is protecting a resting place
The dog is protecting its owner or the owner’s property
The child has done something to provoke or frighten the dog (e.g., hugging the dog, moving into the dog’s space, leaning or stepping over the dog, trying to take something from the dog)
The dog is old and grumpy and having a bad day and has no patience for the actions of a child
The dog is injured or sick
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
Fortunately, there are steps we can take to address and avoid dog bites, from properly training and socializing your pets, learning to read your dog’s body language and recognizing the triggers to educating your children (and adults) on how – or if – they should approach a dog and to safely interact with the dog.
Do Dogs Bite “Out of the Blue”?
No, dogs do not bite “out of the blue.” There are always warning signs before a bite occurs, but these can be very subtle and may be missed by many people. A dog may appear to tolerate being repeatedly mauled by a child and one day bites, surprising everyone. Sometimes the warning have gone on for months or even years before the dog finally loses its tolerance and bites.
People who own good dogs sometimes are lulled into a sense of safety and lax because “good dogs don’t bite children…or do they?”
Often times, once you determine that you have a “Good Dog” you tend to leave it at that and just go about your life with dog and baby. What we forget to consider is that just like us, dogs have good days and bad days.
On any given day, at any given time, your dog is somewhere along that continuum. Have you ever had one of those days? You know…bad day at work, skipped lunch, lots of traffic, big headache? You come home and even something minor goes wrong and isn’t it possible that you may “snap” at someone you love?
It’s the same with dogs. Even over the course of a single day, your dog may go from feeling relaxed and easy-going to tense and cranky — just like you. Living with babies and small children can make for a grueling day. That 4:30-6:30 time that used to be known as Happy Hour?
It’s often the LEAST happy time with tired parents, babies crying, kids squabbling and a parent trying to make dinner. Everyone is a bit on edge and that includes the family dog.
The trick to preventing bites is to really look at your dog. What does he or she look like when relaxed and happy? What changes when your dog is getting a little worried or overwhelmed? Where is your dog right now on that body language continuum? Take mental snapshots throughout the day and place your dog along that line.
Learn the difference in expressions of dogs that are happy and dogs that want to be left alone:
Signs of Anxiety
Signs of Arousal
Signs of Aggression
Signs of Imminent Bite
Signs of a Happy Dog
Stress to children that they should only pet happy dogs. You may think that your dog loves to have the children climbing all over him and hugging him, but if you see any of these signs, then you are being warned that a bite could occur if the dog feels he has no other way of defending himself. Do your dog and your child a favor and intervene if you notice any of these signs.
Any Dog Can Bite. Here’s How You Can Prevent It | I'm Not a Monster
