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If you are reading this post, surely you are among people who want to know why dogs bite. There are many answers to this question, but I will cover the 7 main reasons. In addition, you will learn simple tips you can use to stop a dog from biting you.
But before going further, it is important to know that dogs bite to react to something. In fact, biting is very common among dogs. They bite other dogs, things and even humans. The problem is so common that, every year, approximately 4,5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States alone. One fifth of the victims end up needing medical attention and half of them are children under the age of 13. This is a serious medical concern.
So, why do dogs bite and how to prevent yourself from being a victim?
Kindly, keep reading to end and you will learn 7 main reasons of the incident and 7 simple tips on how to stop a dog from biting you.
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Dogs Bite during Mating
During mating, male dogs become aggressive and bite other males. The main purpose of the aggressiveness is to show dominance and impress the female. At this stage, the testosterone levels increase and so the aggressiveness. This is why neutered dogs (males having their testicles removed) are less likely to hump people and other dogs.
The females, in the other hand, may bite males that they are not interested in.
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Dogs Bite Because Of Possessiveness:
This is one of most common reasons, especially among untrained dogs. In fact, dogs may bite to protect their property. “Property”, in this case, can be anything from a toy, food, territory and even a human being.
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Dogs Bite Because Of Fear:
Dogs may fear a variety of things ranging from sudden movements and unfamiliar situations to fright from veterinarians and human strangers. Being startled may also cause dogs to bite. So, avoid startling at a dog that does not know you. It can take it as an intimidation or threat and attack.
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Dogs Bite Because of Pain:
Even the friendliest dogs may bite because of pain. It’s then surely recommended to keep your hands away from any sore areas your dog has. Some of the most common causes of pain may include dysplasia, severe otitis and chronic injuries. Then, if your dog becomes snippy for no apparent reason, it’s best to pay a visit to the vet.
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Dogs Bite Because Of Maternal Instincts:
Even the most trained female dogs may start biting when they bring puppies to life. As a matter of fact, protecting their youngsters is a maternal instinct to female animals, including dogs. Even if the dog loves you, it may not trust you with its puppies, especially during their early days.
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Dogs Bite Because Of Prey Drive:
Didn’t your parents warn you, when you were little, about running in front of dogs? Their warning surely was a very good piece of advice. As a matter of fact, prey drive is an instinct to dogs. Running or cycling past a dog resulting in a chase may trigger this innate prey drive intuition and, thus, attacking and biting.
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Dogs Bite to Play:
This may seem absurd but it really isn’t. Dogs do bite to play. Actually, in this case, we truly mean mouthing and nipping by the word “biting”. Playful mouthing is generally less painful than serious biting but it is a bite anyway. This may even be deduced from the way the dog looks while biting. Usually, a playful dog will have a relaxed body and face. Sure, its muzzle might look wrinkled, but there generally won’t be a lot of tension in is facial muscles.
How to Stop a Dog from Biting You
After learning the main reasons why dogs bite the question now is how to stop a dog from biting you.
Here are 7 techniques you can use to prevent a dog from biting you.
- Learn the Warning Signs of Biting. Most of the times dogs don’t just attack; they give their signals. Ignorance or negligence is often the cause of the bite. Dogs communicate with us by body language. A dog that is showing signs of tension, fear, or anxiety is more likely to bite.
- Ask the Owner to Introduce You to the Dog. As humans, dogs don’t just feel comfortable with a stranger at first sight. It first requires some acquaintance. A safe way to meet a dog for the time is to first ask the owner to introduce you to it. Even after the introduction it is important to allow the dog to investigate you, usually by smelling, before touching it.
- Distance Yourself from Aggressive Dogs, but Don’t Run. Most people tend to run when they encounter a tense or aggressive dog; this is a mistake. First, you need to avoid staring at the dog’s eyes, and then, slowly back away to a place of safety.
- Put Something in The Dog Path If You’re Charged. Sometimes by the time you realize the danger the dog already attacks or charges you. In this case, put something as a shield in its path. This can be your backpack, purse, a jacket, or a piece of wood or metal. If you get knocked down, adopt a foetal position, and put your arms round your head, eyes, neck and ears to protect them.
- Respect A dog’s Territory. Avoid going near a dog chained or tied up in a yard, behind a fence, or in a car. Dogs may see these areas as their territory and they may defend this territory aggressively. In fact, leashed dogs tend to be more aggressive.
- Do Not Intimidate Any Dog. This is most often done by children. Instruct your child to avoid intimidating a dog. Even non-aggressive dogs may bite when being intimated or bullied. It will perceive it as a sudden threat and attack.
- Do Not Hug a Dog That Does Not Know You. Children are often more vulnerable to this mistake. Instruct your kids to avoid hugging dogs they are not familiar with. A hug from a child puts the child’s face right near the dog’s mouth. If a dog feels threatened and it can do serious harm to your child. Hugging a dog is a common way that children get bitten, especially in the face.
There is a plethora of reasons why dogs do bite and tips on how to stop a dog from biting you, but this article covers just the 7 main ones. If you know other reasons or tips to prevent dog biting, kindly comment and share them with our readers.
