Dogs Have Teeth, Therefore They Can Bite
We love our dogs, that’s the truth. Sometimes, we can forget that they are first and foremost animals with teeth. Therefore, they CAN bite. It’s not a popular concept, I get it, but it’s reality. As dog owners, we anthropomorphize our pets to give them personalities, talk in voices to them, talk for them sometimes, make them look like us, dress them, you name it. But even through training and proper care, any dog can bite under the right circumstances. Let’s look at a few reasons behind dog bites, and ways to prevent a dog bite from happening.
Why Do Dogs Bite?
Our knee-jerk reaction when you hear the phrase “dog bite” is to leap to the conclusion the dog is aggressive. While aggression is one reason, there’s other context and situations that cause dogs to bite. Here is a quick list (so not extensive) of possibilities:
- Fear anxiety
- Over-excitement
- Not socialized properly
- Dominance
- They are startled/surprised
- Injured/sick
Did you see how they aren’t all based on aggression? Let’s dive deeper…
Biting Out of Anxiety or Excitement
Defining Anxiety
Dogs that haven’t been properly socialized for whatever reason can be more anxious in social settings – whether it is with other dogs or people. Anxiety can be defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” It’s also defined as “the desire to do something, typically accompanied by unease.” When a dog shows anxiety, there are a few ways they choose to cope: shut down, react, or avoid. If shutting down and avoiding isn’t an option, then the last option is to react. This reaction can come in the form of a snap or bite.
Examples of anxiety
This definition of anxiety can be used in any type of situation where a dog feels nervous or uneasy. It is completely plausible they are nervous around other dogs, and their desire to control the situation is to bite at the other dog. Same with people. This can be especially true if a dog has been raised around a single gender, race, or age bracket, too. If a dog has never been exposed to babies or toddlers, the noises they make, their clumsiness, etc. it can make the dog uneasy simply because the child’s behavior is different than what the dog is used to. Similarly, if a dog has never seen a person of a different race or gender than their owner, it can make them uneasy and they react to try to control the situation.
If a dog is exposed to another dog who is overly excited, they may try to bite at the excited dog to calm them down. Reversely, if they are the excited dog they may bite to initiate play and not read another dog’s body language properly. They also may bite out of excitement because that is the only way they have found to cope with their excitement.
Related: Social Anxiety in Dogs
How do you prevent the bite?
Socialize your dog as early as possible so they are exposed to as many situations as they can be. Incorporate basic obedience into your routine so they build a bond with you and trust you as alpha. That way, when a situation arises they are unsure about, they can look to you for guidance on how to cope rather than go straight for a bite.
Biting Because They are Alpha
Alpha dogs assert themselves – that is their personality. They will let the other dogs in the pack know they are the top dog by body language and behaviors. If biting at another dog to let them know they are in charge is how they have learned to do it in the past, they will do it again. Not saying it’s the best behavior trait, but it could be learned this way. But, you can also teach them how to behave with the pack without getting aggressive about it.
How do you prevent the bite?
If you suspect you have a dominant dog, incorporate basic obedience into your routine as early as possible. Use body language and exercise to teach them you are leader of the pack instead of them. Build a strong bond that shows them to trust you in any given situation so they don’t feel they need to step up.
Biting Because They Are Startled/Surprised
Have you ever been startled by a friend and your reflex was to slap them? Well, dogs don’t have that ability so their reflex can be to use their mouth for defense of a perceived threat. Dogs may have better senses of hearing and smell than we do, but that doesn’t mean they still can’t be startled. I know when I am focused on a specific task, my other senses aren’t as acute – how about you? Wake me up from a deep sleep and you’ll definitely see a reaction!
Some dogs can be startled because they have a sensory issue. Maybe they have lost or are losing their eyesight, hearing, or sense of smell. If that is the case, it is one less way they have to identify you and know you’re coming their way ahead of time.
How do you prevent the bite?
Simply put: don’t startle your dog. Don’t let kids or others taunt/tease your dog to make them scared or surprised. If you suspect your dog may have a sensory issue (blindness, hearing loss, etc.) have your vet check them out to verify. Dogs that have sensory issues can still be great pets and learn to use other senses and tools to live satisfactory lives. Also, if your dog has a sensory issue there are behavioral things you can do to help them adapt.
Biting Because They are Sick/Injured
Even the sweetest dog can bite if they are hurt or sick. When they don’t feel well, their natural instinct to protect themselves kicks in. Your dog may not realize you are trying to help them or they react out of pain.
How do you prevent the bite?
Know your dog’s personality/temperament in a normal situation. If they seem to “suddenly” get aggressive or snappy, there could be an underlying health issue. Talk with your vet about your concerns.
Dogs that are injured and in pain can also bite. If your dog has been seriously hurt, you can use a cloth muzzle or their leash to create a muzzle for your safety. Get them to a vet ASAP.
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