Keeping Pets and People Safe: Preventing Dog Bites
Dogs Bite – Even the “Good Ones”
Dogs bite. There are about 4.5 million dog bites in the United States every year. Dogs are animals. Dogs only have so many ways to communicate and, we as humans often misinterpret or miss-read their non-verbal cues. Biting doesn’t mean a dog is “bad,” it’s just how they communicate when they feel threatened, scared, or in pain.
Dog bites can be very dangerous. I suffered a dog bite many years ago, which caused significant damage to my arm that’s still there today. That’s why preventing dog bites is so important. So, how can we work together to prevent them from happening?
In this blog, we’ll look at why dogs bite, how to recognize the warning signs, what steps to take to prevent them, and what to do when it happens. Because most bites are preventable with the right knowledge and proactive care.
Preventing Dog Bites
The key to dog bite prevention is understanding first why dogs bite. As I said, dogs bite. But why?
Why Do Dogs Bite?
Biting is often a sign of discomfort, not “bad behavior.” It’s a natural behavior for dogs when they feel any, but not limited to, the below:
Recognizing the Warning Signs
As a pet owner, we should recognize the position we sometimes put our pets in, especially if your dog is:
We should recognize each of these situations carries the potential to lead to dogs biting.
Most dogs will give cues before they bite. Often, a non-verbal cue first and then verbally as in a growl, maybe a snap, and then they’re going to bite. But some dogs, given whatever’s happening, might go directly to a bite.
Common body language cues dogs give before biting can include:
The Wisconsin Humane Society has amazing additional information on body language in dogs - Body Language in Dogs | Wisconsin Humane Society.
“Don’t punish the growl.”
It’s crucial to respect when dogs give signals instead of punishing them, hence “don’t punish the growl.”
Dogs often growl as a warning signal that something is causing them stress. When you hear growling, use it as an opportunity to intervene and assess what’s causing it to help your dog and prevent injury. The best way to handle growling is to identify and remove the trigger, whether that means giving your dog space, avoiding stressful situations, or addressing the underlying issue.
While not all growls are stress-induced, it’s better to be safe and assume they are, especially if the dog is unfamiliar to you. Try to identify situations that may be stressful for your dog and create a plan if necessary. Two of the most common are having new people in the house or strangers at the front door, such as delivery drivers.
Never punish a growling dog. This can backfire and inhibit future growling, which may lead to a dog that snaps or bites without warning.
Dog Bite Prevention
When it comes to preventing dog bites, it starts with training and socialization and includes working with our veterinarian.
Training, Socialization, and a Safe Environment
Training matters for your dog. Utilize reward-based methods over punishment. Reward-based training builds trust and reduces fear-based behaviors. Punishment-based methods can worsen anxiety and aggression.
Train your dog. The basic commands "sit," "stay," "no," and "come" help dogs understand what is expected of them and can be incorporated into fun activities that build a bond of trust between pets and people.
Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy so it feels at ease around people and other animals. Early, positive socialization helps dogs feel confident around people and other animals. You can learn more about training and socializing for your dog in our blog here.
Basket muzzles are a useful tool if you have fearful and reactive dogs. A basket muzzle doesn’t equal a bad dog. For resources on safe and positive muzzle training, visit The Muzzle Up! Project | Muzzle advocacy, Education, and Training. If you’re struggling or looking for additional help, consider working with a veterinary behaviorist or trainer.
A basket muzzle doesn’t equal a bad dog.
Think a step ahead. Physical barriers are key. Dogs can break through unsecured fences or doors and may even jump fences. Gates should be locked, and windows and doors secured to prevent escapes and potential bite incidents. If you know your dog is reactive, even one who has been through training, avoid putting them in situations that could trigger unwanted behavior and potential injury. Preventing dog bites is about setting your dog up for success, not failure.
Working With Your Veterinarian
Your veterinarian is your first line of defense with preventing dog bites. Not only do they know you and your dog, but they are a wealth of information and resources. Number one, stay on top of your dog’s regular wellness checks. Preventive care can help catch medical issues early that if left unchecked could lead to your dog biting. This could include pain or illness.
Be sure to discuss any behavioral concerns during routine visits so your vet can recommend a solution or provide a resource. If something comes up in- between visits, give their office a call.
It’s also essential to have your dog up-to-date on their vaccines, most importantly rabies. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases.
Kids and Dogs – An Extra Precautionary Group
Of those 4.5 million dog bites every year, children are the most frequent victims of dog bites. Preventing dog bites with kids starts with always supervising young children around dogs.
Parents and caregivers should:
Teach children, including toddlers to be careful around pets. Children should learn not to approach strange dogs or try to pet dogs through fences. Teach children to ask permission from the dog's owner before petting the dog.
By taking these proactive steps, we can work together to prevent more dog bites with kids.
What Happens When a Dog Bites
Every state handles dog bite incidents differently, and the role of veterinarians in the process isn’t the same everywhere.
In Wisconsin, when a dog bite or scratch occurs, and scratch being said on purpose because the human medical and health department sees both the exact same way. If a dog bites or scratches a human and that human presents to a human medical office or the police are called, a bite report is filed.
Only a law enforcement officer and the health department can issue a bite report incident, not your vet. But once a bite report incident is issued, your veterinarian becomes an officer of the health department. They have to follow what the laws tell them they have to do.
If your dog bites another human and that human either reports it to the police or presents to a human medical facility and a bite report is filed, you have to present that biting dog to a veterinarian within 24 hours of the bite, 10 days after the bite and one day in between. You have to have the paperwork with you, which the veterinarian has to sign.
The whole goal is to ensure the dog doesn’t have a disease called rabies. Rabies is 99.9% fatal. Even though it’s rare, it’s still too deadly to ignore.
If your dog is not up-to-date on its rabies vaccine, you could be required to quarantine your dog for 10 days at a humane society or vet hospital for a hefty fee. It’s why it’s so important to keep your pet up to date on its rabies vaccine and it’s the law in Wisconsin.
For a comprehensive summary of veterinarian reporting laws across the U.S., Michigan State University has a detailed Table of Veterinary Reporting Requirement and Immunity Laws | Animal Legal & Historical Center.
If you or are around when a dog bite happens, here are some things to think about:
A Partnership in Prevention
Most bites are preventable with awareness, training, and veterinary support. All dogs bite. That’s just the long and short of it. Please don’t fool yourself into feeling completely at ease in a situation that, “my dog would never do that.” Famous last words to the veterinarian, “my dog doesn’t bite.”
Dog bites are unfortunate situations that could have been prevented in almost every case. When dogs bite, it’s because they were put in a position they shouldn’t be in and steps to intervene were missed.
If you notice changes in your dog’s behavior, or have questions on preventing dog bites, schedule a visit with your veterinarian. At Buddy’s Vets, we’re here to help keep your family and your pet safe.