Why Dogs Bite

Big or small, male or female, young or old, any dog can bite. Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pet can bite if provoked.

Dogs are everywhere, so preventing dog bites is a necessity. Although some dogs are friendlier than others, any dog is capable of biting, regardless of its breed or size. Even the nicest dog may snap or bite when it’s injured or afraid.

There are many cases of people being bitten by dogs in Nigeria every year and a large number of them end up needing medical attention for their wounds. Children are the most common victims with half of bite wound victims being under the age of thirteen. Children are much more likely to be severely injured by dog bites due to their small size and not being aware of how one should act around a dog.

Each dog will have a different threshold for what pushes them to resort to biting, and some dogs will need more support to prevent bites from happening. It is very important to understand your dog’s temperament and be honest about it.

Signs of a Dog About to Bite

There are always warning signs before a bite occurs, but these can be very subtle and may be missed by many people. Signs that you should take very seriously that indicate an imminent bite include;

• Barking
• The dog may get up and move away from a person
• Growling
• Snapping at the air
• The dog suddenly starts scratching, biting or licking himself.
• The dog yawns while a person approaches or is interacting with him to show his teeth.

Reasons Why Dogs Bite

Fear

The fear aggression response is most often directed toward strangers. Veterinarians learn early in their careers: when in doubt, muzzle. Like people, dogs are naturally fearful of unfamiliar and potentially threatening situations. A dog raised in a quiet adult household will be distraught by noisy, fast-moving youngsters. The dog may bark and lunge to drive them away and deliver a stinging nip to children who do not heed the warning.

Protection

Pups are generally seen that they bite because of insecurity and the need to protect their place. They feel like somebody is going to harm them. So, never wake a dog suddenly while sleeping. Besides, if you want to take a dog’s food away, it’s better to do it in gently. Also, never try to move the dog off the bed without wheedling it softly or lightly.

Running

Running away from a dog, even during play, can likewise provoke a bite. The dog may think it’s part of the fun, or running away could trigger herding behavior or predatory pursuit in some breeds.

Maternal Instincts

Dogs become bitter when she has puppies. They don’t like others to disturb or tease their puppies and to protect them they generally bite others. So, you must respect the material instincts and don’t allow children to approach young puppies around the other be careful while handling spring ones.

Pain

While pain-sensitive breeds like Chihuahuas are common perpetrators, any dog may bite if hurting, depending on the degree of pain. An otherwise gentle dog will bite a beloved owner’s hand trying to soothe, bandage or examine wounds. Like us, each dog has a unique pain threshold and tolerance. A sweet floppy-eared dog suffering from otitis externa may bite on getting his ears tousled; a dog with hip dysplasia may turn on a handler pressing down on his hips to enforce the sit command.

Preventing Your Dog From Biting

Socialization is a good way to help prevent your dog from biting. Socializing your pet helps your dog feel at ease in different situations. By introducing your dog to people and other animals while it’s a puppy, it feels more comfortable in different situations as it gets older. It’s also important to use a leash in public to make sure that you are able to control your dog.

Put your dog through basic training at the very least and continue to keep up your dog’s training program throughout its life to reinforce the lessons you’ve taught it.

Consider seeing a relationship-based professional dog trainer or a certified animal behavior consultant. A qualified professional can help you work with your dog on their specific behavior challenges.
Training your dog not to bite can be a complex process, and takes a real investment of time. Your veterinarian will have additional tips to share with you, and may be able to provide a referral to a good local animal behaviorist