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The 12 ultimate tips for dealing with dog bites
A Dog owner needs to know how to prevent dog bites and what to do if they happen.
Yes, dogs are domesticated and are highly trainable. But they still have wild instincts, and they also experience happiness, playfulness, fear, and anxiety.
They also cannot talk and do not have hands. This means that sometimes they must use biting as a way of communicating. You need to know the signs leading up to a possible bite to avoid the dog having to resort to it. And in the unfortunate situation that you or someone else has been bitten, you need to know how to treat them.
There are over four and a half million dog bites in the USA each year alone, but 81% of these do not require medical attention, and I bet a lot of them could have been avoided.
A dog bite is not always a sign of an aggressive dog or that it has been poorly trained, although it can be. You should try to be ready for all possible situations.
How not to be bitten by someone else's dog
- Do not approach without permission: You might love dogs, own your dog, and you might be the most loving dog owner in the world. But other dogs don't know that. They may think you are attacking them, or they may be nervous. Only approach a dog if the owner permits you. Be especially careful if you are coming them within their territory, like a yard, garden, or car.
- Do not stroke a dog without permission: Even if the owner has permitted you, don't presume the dog has allowed you. Approach it slowly, allow it to sniff you, let it sniff the back of your hand. Look out for warning signs like nervousness and aggression. If it is happy with you, they will usually come up close to you or rub against you. Maybe they will look up at you and wag its tail. Only then should you attempt to stroke it. Start with the back of the neck and shoulders. Do not pat its head, as this can be a trigger for many dogs.
- Leave it be: Dogs generally like humans, so if they want some attention from you, then they will likely make it obvious if they are eating, playing, tracking, or diverting their attention in any other way. Then leave them alone, if you approach them in these circumstances, then you might startle them, or they may become protective over something they have or want.
- Confidence: If you are not fond of dogs in general or are scared of certain breeds. The dog will not know this. So, if they approach you and you are nervous about it, don't turn your back and walk away fast… and don't run. A dog will see this as you are playing with them, or their prey drive will kick in, and they will run after you, and they could bite you playfully or more aggressively depending on the circumstances. Instead, you should just carry-on walking in a controlled and confident manner, paying no attention to the dog. Of course, their owner should be nearby and in control of them, but that is not always the case.
How to stop your dog from biting other people
- Dog socialization: This is an essential part of any dog training plan, especially if they are the only dog in your family. You should make sure they spend much time around other dogs. You could take them to group dog classes, breed meetups, and dog parks. But it doesn't have to be overly organized, just taking them for a walk in a typical garden, where there are many other dog walkers, can be enough. You want your dog to be used to looking and smelling a range of other doggies.
- People socialization: Getting your puppy or rescue used to other people is very important. They should not see them as a threat to themselves or you. They should be trained so that they are not a problem and know that not every human wants to play with them. So, get them used to walk in parks and streets where they are likely to pass by many other people.
- Spay: Apparently, around 70% of all dog attacks are from dogs that are not neutered. So, if you are not breeding, then it is wise to neuter your pooch. This will mean they are less driven by their hormones and less interested in other dogs' hormones.
- Training: while it might be fun and cute when they do it to you, you should train your dog to not run after or jump up to other people. This could put your dog in an unfair situation, where they think jumping up gets them a treat. Still, they get an adverse reaction from another person, leading to a confrontation and a possible biting situation.
- Vaccinate: Make sure you take your dog to the Vets for regular health checks, and you keep their vaccinations up to date. For example, if a dog has a flea problem and is irritated by the fleas, biting them, they may be more likely to be aggressive and bite someone.
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Tikaton Indestructible Dog Chew Toys
Nylon dog toy provides a safer alternative to real sticks, satisfies the natural urge to chew.
Real-looking bone shape makes it easy for your pet to recognize, creates a positive association with toys for dogs and reduces their anxiety and boredom.
Nylabone Power Chew
TEXTURED RING SHAPE – Unique shape with enticing textures is easy to hold and satisfies dogs natural urge to chew
MADE OF DURABLE NYLON – Long lasting dog chew toy challenges even the most aggressive chewers and discourages destructive chewing
VANFINE Dog Squeaky Toys
EXCELLENT QUALITY: Made of non-toxic, durable and eco-friendly rubber material, which is soft and elastic. Meanwhile, this toy is safe for your dog.
SQUEAKY-LOVING TOY FOR DOGS: Squeaker dog toy is designed with built-in squeaker
I have been bitten. What do I do?
- Stay calm: Make sensible and informed decisions, and do not escalate the problem. There is likely a reason why the dog attacked, and in most cases, their owner should be nearby to help. Or someone else may assist.
- Treat wound: If there is a wound, treat it yourself or ideally go and get it looked at by a medical professional as you may need a vaccination shot or booster.
- Report: Regardless of whose fault it is, it should be reported to the relevant authorities. Just be honest, and explain what happened thoroughly. Do not try to attach blame to the situation or the dog in particular.
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Bad things can happen in all walks of life.
It is your responsibility to recognize the warning signs other dogs give you, and it is essential that you have trained your dog to minimize the chances of it biting you or someone else.
You should aware, mindful of, and prepared for as many possibilities as possible. For example, if you have a new puppy or recently rescued a doggo. Then don't just presume it will be safe to walk it through a crowded park off the lead. Build up to that with a sensible training plan, where you slowly introduce it to the park on a dog collar and a short leash/lead. Then you could progress to a longer hands-free dog leash before training it to walk to heel.
