Dog bites - Why do they happen
Dog bites happen for a variety of reasons and it's important to keep that in mind, there is always a reason behind it.
DISCLAIMER: The information compiled below is not legal advice, to be used in replacement of professional medical advice or to be used in replacement of a trainer or other professional help. The information has been collected and compiled for educational use only.
DISCLAIMER: The information compiled below is not legal advice, to be used in replacement of professional medical advice or to be used in replacement of a trainer or other professional help. The information has been collected and compiled for educational use only.
Stress
Stress can cause a dog that would otherwise have never bitten, to suddenly bite. Just like how humans can lash out due to being overwhelmed, so can dogs; but unlike humans they can't simply yell or shout to release the pent up stress inside of them and often it comes out as a warning snap, nip or bite. It is imperative to watch your dogs stress levels when in new and unfamiliar situations to mitigate the chances of an incident happening
FEAR
Fear biting often happens in combination with stressful situations and most often is directed towards strangers. Dogs are naturally fearful to unknown and potentially threatening situations, and although we might not deem the situation threatening, the world is perceived very different by out canine companions. Dogs who bite out of fear often are dogs who lacked early socialization to a variety of people, places and experiences and as a result, ends up being anxious and fearful. If a dog is looking uncomfortable, stressed out or fearful of a situation or surroundings, it's important to remove them from the situation to prevent a possible incident.
A fear driven incident can also happen if the dog becomes startled, such as suddenly being woken up or sudden loud noises. In these cases it can be harder to predicts and lessen the chance of an incident happening, but owners must still do their due diligence and take the proper precautions to ensure fear driven incidents do not occur.
A fear driven incident can also happen if the dog becomes startled, such as suddenly being woken up or sudden loud noises. In these cases it can be harder to predicts and lessen the chance of an incident happening, but owners must still do their due diligence and take the proper precautions to ensure fear driven incidents do not occur.
Pain
If a dog is sick or in pain they can end up lashing out. Just like humans, when our canine companions are unwell they don't want to be pestered or bothered, and doing so outside of what needs to be done for proper care of them, can cause them to lash out at us. This doesn't only happen with older dogs, but with younger dogs as well who have sustained injuries or are ill. If a dog is unwell, give them as much space as they request
Protection of valuables - Resource guarding
Resource guarding can happen due to a variety of reasons, be it past trauma, lack of socialization and training as a pup or due to the breed being bred for guarding and it wasn't taught when it's appropriate to display those behaviors.
A dog will guard what they deem valuable which can include but are not limited to food, toys, territory and family members, this can even include "protecting" one family member from another.
A dog will guard what they deem valuable which can include but are not limited to food, toys, territory and family members, this can even include "protecting" one family member from another.
Pestered beyond limits
A dog that is being pestered, annoyed or otherwise pushed to their limits can end up biting out of frustration as they feel that is the only way to get what is happening to stop and this is often the cause of incidents regarding children. Dogs deserve space and respect of their boundaries, just like any other living creature.
Prey Drive
Certain breeds display a higher prey drive than others due to what they were bred for, this can be exacerbated by poor socialization and training as a pup. Dogs who wish to chase, catch and bite things can potentially end up biting a human during a heightened state of excitement.
Maternal aggression
The most outgoing, well trained and easy going dog can end up showing signs of maternal aggression if she feels that her puppies are at risk. As mentioned previously, situations we may not deem dangerous can be perceived as dangerous by dogs. Mother dogs have an innate need for a safe, low stress space for her and her pups to ensure their well being and survival. It is key to limit visitors to the whelping box during the first couple of weeks while the puppies are completely dependent on mum for their survival, by doing this it helps the mother stay relaxed and focused on rearing her pups.
Redirected aggression
Redirected aggression happens when a dog is already in an agitated or overly excited state and is unable to do anything about the situation, this often results in incidents when one tries to break up a dog fight or another person or dog gets too close to the agitated dog; the dog redirects their hostility towards the person or other dog.
Redirected aggression incidents often has overlaps with other reasons, such as fear, stress or being pushed past their limits. By monitoring a dogs body language, stress and fear levels and ensuring the proper steps are taken to avoid allowing them to get to the point of lashing out is key to avoid these sorts of incidents.
Redirected aggression incidents often has overlaps with other reasons, such as fear, stress or being pushed past their limits. By monitoring a dogs body language, stress and fear levels and ensuring the proper steps are taken to avoid allowing them to get to the point of lashing out is key to avoid these sorts of incidents.
A tendency towards aggression
Dogs, regardless of breed, can be more likely to bite, show aggression or overly dominant behavior. This can be due to traumatic events, poor breeding, poor socialization and training or being encouraged by irresponsible owners to display aggression. If a dog is adopted who is known to have a tendency towards aggression and is a bite risk, a responsible owner must take all steps to avoid an incident.
If you are bitten or attacked
The first thing to do in the event of a dog bite or attack, is to remove yourself and/or the dog from the situation. If your dog bites someone, immediately remove the dog and confine them, upon doing so go assist the victim.
If you are bitten or attacked, put a barrier up between you and the dog, this can come in the form of a purse or backpack, a sweater or jacket, etc. If you are knocked down, curl up into a ball, tuck in your head and protect the back of your neck. If need be, do not feel guilty about defending yourself in order to remove yourself from the situation.
If you are bitten or attacked, put a barrier up between you and the dog, this can come in the form of a purse or backpack, a sweater or jacket, etc. If you are knocked down, curl up into a ball, tuck in your head and protect the back of your neck. If need be, do not feel guilty about defending yourself in order to remove yourself from the situation.
TREATMENT
In the case of a dog bite, once safe place a clean towel over the injury to stop any bleeding; if possible also elevate the injured area while you make your way to a sink to clean it carefully with soap and water.
After cleaning the wounds, apply sterile bandages and apply antibiotic ointment daily to prevent infection.
In the case of a severe dog bite that results in deep wounds, apply pressure to the wounds and keep the injured area elevated if possible; clean the area with warm soap and water and immediately seek medical attention as stitches may be necessary.
If you are attacked, if you cannot stop the bleeding or if you are feeling faint or weak, immediately have someone take you to the hospital or phone 911.
In the following days, carefully monitor the injury sites. If you notice they're becoming red, painful, warm to the touch, swollen or if you develop a fever, go back to the doctor immediately.
ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
When you go to the doctor you will need to answer questions including if you knew the dog, do you know if the dog is up to date on all their vaccinations including rabies, was the incident one that was due to provocation or was it unprovoked and what health conditions you have. People with diabetes, liver disease and illnesses that suppress the immune system can be at greater risk of a more severe infection.
After cleaning the wounds, apply sterile bandages and apply antibiotic ointment daily to prevent infection.
In the case of a severe dog bite that results in deep wounds, apply pressure to the wounds and keep the injured area elevated if possible; clean the area with warm soap and water and immediately seek medical attention as stitches may be necessary.
If you are attacked, if you cannot stop the bleeding or if you are feeling faint or weak, immediately have someone take you to the hospital or phone 911.
In the following days, carefully monitor the injury sites. If you notice they're becoming red, painful, warm to the touch, swollen or if you develop a fever, go back to the doctor immediately.
ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
When you go to the doctor you will need to answer questions including if you knew the dog, do you know if the dog is up to date on all their vaccinations including rabies, was the incident one that was due to provocation or was it unprovoked and what health conditions you have. People with diabetes, liver disease and illnesses that suppress the immune system can be at greater risk of a more severe infection.
REPORT THE BITE
Many are hesitant to report a dog bite, but it is extremely important that all dog bites are reported. It is of the utmost importance to report dog bites especially if the dog hasn't been vaccinated against rabies or it is unknown if they have been or if the dog appears sick or is acting strangely.
If you are the owner of the dog who bit or if you got the owners information, it is important to contact them and ensure the animal has a current rabies vaccination, make sure you get the rabies vaccine license number and the vet who administered the vaccine.
If you are the owner of the dog who bit or if you got the owners information, it is important to contact them and ensure the animal has a current rabies vaccination, make sure you get the rabies vaccine license number and the vet who administered the vaccine.
DISEASES AND RISKS
Rabies is the most serious disease that can be transferred from a dog bite, and although it is rare to get rabies from a dog it is still a risk. Rabies is a virus that affects the brain and is almost always fatal once one becomes symptomatic, it is most common spread through a bite or saliva of an infected being. The disease can be prevented by ensuring domestic cats and dogs are up to date on their rabies vaccine, if you are bitten or attacked by a dog it is important to seek medical attention and see if rabies vaccination is needed.
Capnocytophaga bacteria lives in the mouths of not only dogs, but people and cats as well; this bacteria does not make cats or dogs sick. Rarely, the bacteria can spread to people through a bite, scratch or close contact with a cat or dog and has the possibilities to cause illness. The majority of people will not become sick, but those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of becoming ill.
Pasteurella external is a bacteria that is seen in over half of infected dog inflicted wounds. It most commonly causes a painful, red infection where the injuries are but can also cause more serious side affects in those with weakened immune systems such as swollen glands, swelling in the joints and difficulty moving.
MRSA (methicillian-resistant staphylococcus aureus) is a staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics, dogs and other animals can be carriers of MRSA without showing symptoms. The bacteria can cause skin, lung and urinary tract infections in people and in some people the MRSA can spread to the bloodstream or into the lungs, causing life-threatning infections
Tetanus is a toxin that is produced by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani, this toxin causes rigid paralysis and can be an issue that arises for those who have suffered from deep bite wounds or other injuries as the result of an incident
Capnocytophaga bacteria lives in the mouths of not only dogs, but people and cats as well; this bacteria does not make cats or dogs sick. Rarely, the bacteria can spread to people through a bite, scratch or close contact with a cat or dog and has the possibilities to cause illness. The majority of people will not become sick, but those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of becoming ill.
Pasteurella external is a bacteria that is seen in over half of infected dog inflicted wounds. It most commonly causes a painful, red infection where the injuries are but can also cause more serious side affects in those with weakened immune systems such as swollen glands, swelling in the joints and difficulty moving.
MRSA (methicillian-resistant staphylococcus aureus) is a staph infection that is resistant to certain antibiotics, dogs and other animals can be carriers of MRSA without showing symptoms. The bacteria can cause skin, lung and urinary tract infections in people and in some people the MRSA can spread to the bloodstream or into the lungs, causing life-threatning infections
Tetanus is a toxin that is produced by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani, this toxin causes rigid paralysis and can be an issue that arises for those who have suffered from deep bite wounds or other injuries as the result of an incident
Resources:
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/why-do-dogs-bite
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-problems/why-dogs-bite/
https://www.doggonesafe.com/why_dogs_bite
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-good-dogs-bite-part-i-you-didnt-understand-what-he-was-saying
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/decoding-your-pet/201412/dogs-dont-bite-out-the-blue
https://holidaybarn.com/why-do-dogs-bite/
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/help-my-dog-bites-how-to-deal-with-dogs-who-bite/
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-bites#1
https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/index.html
https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/why-do-dogs-bite
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-problems/why-dogs-bite/
https://www.doggonesafe.com/why_dogs_bite
http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/why-good-dogs-bite-part-i-you-didnt-understand-what-he-was-saying
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/decoding-your-pet/201412/dogs-dont-bite-out-the-blue
https://holidaybarn.com/why-do-dogs-bite/
https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/help-my-dog-bites-how-to-deal-with-dogs-who-bite/
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-bites#1
https://www.cdc.gov/features/dog-bite-prevention/index.html