Do you have prior experience with dog bites?
Dr. Brown emphasized: “Most clients do not have prior experience with dog bites. They use their emotions to make decisions and judge the behavior. Statements like ‘He didn’t mean it’ or ‘He’s really a good dog’ indicate that pet owners are thinking with their hearts. Most veterinarians have ample experience with dogs that bite.
What should I do if my dog bit its owner?
Work with a vet or veterinary behaviorist to determine why your dog lashed out. This is a question I hear on a daily basis in my practice. When a dog bites its owner, there are often a gamut of feelings: shock, disbelief, anger, hurt and sometimes guilt.
When does a dog bite a young child?
Brown discussed one patient: “A young couple brings in their new baby, a 10-week-old puppy. The problem occurs when the pet shows signs of aggression in the exam room, such as pinning its ears, curling its lips and trying to bite.
Why are family members not notified of dog bites?
Dog bites that occur with family members often are not publicized because they have no feel-good component. In fact, the situation might be ignored due to feelings of shame and guilt. I hope this month’s column will encourage discussion and action about these difficult situations before life-changing bites occur.
Who are the victims of a dog bite?
The majority of dog bite victims are friends or members of the owner’s family. Sixty-one percent of dog bites occur in the home or a familiar place, and 77 percent of bite victims are family members or friends, according to a Web site run by attorney Kenneth Phillips, who specializes in dog bite cases.
Is it normal for a dog to bite a human?
Why did your sweet dog bite you? All dogs can bite, and given differing circumstances, all dogs will. Although we humans regard any bite as aggression, for dogs, biting is a natural and normal means of canine communication and defense. It’s actually surprising that our dogs don’t bite us more often than they do!
Can a dog have a high bite threshold?
Some dogs have high bite thresholds – it takes a lot of stressors to make them bite. Some have low thresholds – it doesn’t take much to convince them to bite. A dog with a high bite threshold may seem like the best choice around kids.
What should I do if my dog bites me more than once?
A severe bite is a cause for concern. Most dogs who are just giving a warning nip will not break the skin when they connect. If your dog bites you and draws blood, it’s a big issue. She bites more than one time. This might be more than once in a row or it might be multiple times within the week or month. You don’t know what caused her to bite.
