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DOG BITING TIPS

DOG BITING TIPS ON PREVENTION AND INSURANCE
By Tess Thompson

Punishment never stops a dog from biting. Reprimanding him for aggressive dog behaviors , including dog biting, may not suffice. The three most important elements necessary for preventing dog biting include:

Consistent training - Inconsistent training sends wrong signals to the animal.

Trust - Unless the dog trusts you and does not perceive you as a threat, he will not obey your commands.

Respect - It is necessary for training and the dog must perceive you as the leader or the alpha dog.

Dog aggression is normally perceived as the dog’s attempt to dominant. Dog aggression may also be a result of a fearful situation where the dog feels that he is left with no other option but to defend himself. Sometimes, the inherent predatory instincts too make a dog aggressive. However, these types of aggression normally do not lead to dog biting. Dog biting is dependent on the following:

Breed of the dog - Certain breeds are more aggressive and more likely to bite based on their genes and the evolutionary process.

Unexpected behaviors of children.

Bad Training.

Injury or pain.

Ideally, dog biting should be controlled before the puppy turns five months old. Correct training and early socializing give a good foundation for young dogs to build on.

Puppies are prone to indulge in playful activity and are likely to bite at your hands during play. If the pup bites too hard, instantly give out a shrieking sound of, say, ‘ouch’. Stop the play immediately to tell him he has not behaved properly.

Smacking his nose may induce a defensive bite.

Let the young dog get accustomed to your touch.

Every time he behaves appropriately, reward him with treats and praise him.

Even though you may have trained your dog at a young age, taking certain preventive steps towards protecting yourself from a potential dog bite is a good idea. Some tips to prevent a dog bite have been listed below.

For owners:

Whenever you have to expose your dog to a new situation, people or activities, take care to be observant. Look for any signs of discomfort and remove him from the situation or stop the activity as soon as you feel that your dog is getting uncomfortable.

Ensure that your dog is not put in a position where he may feel threatened or teased. Such situations are best avoided.

Avoid play win-loose and rough games with your dog. Non-aggressive games like fetch are more capable of promoting appropriate behavior.

While taking your dog outdoors, always keep him on a leash that is appropriate for his size.

For visitors and strangers:

Do not encroach on a dog’s territory. Avoid touching his fence as dogs are extremely possessive about their territory.

Sleeping dogs are better left alone. The same goes for when they are drinking or eating.

If an unattended dog moves towards you avoid running away from him. Do not make loud noises or shriek.

Teach your children to seek permission from owners before approaching a dog or petting him.

The only way a dog can convey that he does not want to be disturbed is through his body language or a warning bark. Preventing dog biting is not the responsibility of the owner only. As a stranger, you should also ensure safe behavior while in the proximity of a strange dog.

If a dog approaches you, the best way to insure that you are not bitten is to freeze and take a stance that resembles a tree by crossing your arms over your chest. Eye contact is perceived as a challenge by dogs, look away, or toss an object away from him to divert his attention.

References:
http://perfectpaws.com/bite.html
http://drilldog.com/drilldog-articles/dog-bite-statistics.htm
http://akc.org/insurance/tips_dogbites.cfm