Posted on: July 20, 2006
Dog Bites Man
Dogs often bite people they already know. Here’s how to keep a canine’s chomping instincts in check
By Deborah Douglas
CTW Features
Most dog bites occur between people and dogs who know one other, so paying attention to your surroundings and pet behaviors are good ways to avoid being bitten, says animal trainer, Paul Owens, author of “The Dog Whisperer” book and DVD.
Kids are the No. 1 victims of dog bites, and elderly people comprise 10 percent of those bitten annually, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“Often people say, my dog has never done this [bite someone] before,” says Owens, noting that dogs react in a contextual manner.
For example, if a dog has been taught to sit on carpet, it might not follow orders to sit on kitchen tile because it wasn’t taught that.
“You must raise your dog the way you raise your child; anticipate problems before they happen. No hitting, kicking, shocking, shaming or jerking.
“Paying attention to your dog’s moods will save you and your family from bites, Owens says. For example, don’t interpret a wagging tail as a sign of friendliness. It’s not a friendly dog if the tail stands straight up and is wagging stiffly, while the dog leans forward on his front legs, ears pointing forward with lips licking. If a dog’s tail waves in a relaxed manner at medium speed with his head bobbing up and down, that’s likely a friendly dog.
Following are quick tips to help you stay man’s best friend:
• Stay away from sleeping dogs unless you know them well.
• Stay away from dogs while they are eating.
• Ask for permission to pet a dog you don’t know.
• Approach dogs in a letter “C” pattern, then turn sideways and offer your hand down to your side to let it sniff.
• Do not pat dogs on their top of their heads; they don’t like it unless they’re taught to like it.
• Kids should get an adult if they see an injured dog. If the dog is in pain and you approach, it might bite to protect itself.
Do breeds matter in avoiding dog bites?
Three factors count in whether dogs are aggressive or not. It’s genetics; the first 14 to 16 weeks of life; and how they are raised. If a dog’s parents were extremely aggressive, they could pass this trait to their pups. If a dog is mistreated the first few weeks of life or is not socialized to sights and sounds, it could grow up to be a “fear biter” that will never grow out of it no matter what you do.
Then there’s good old-fashioned doggie manners; it is up to you as a pet owner to make sure your pet has them.
Source: Paul Owens, author of “The Dog Whisperer” (Dogwhispererdvd.com)