Welcome back,

Today we're discussing an unfortunate but important topic - what to do if your dog bites or injures someone. While prevention is ideal, incidents do occasionally happen, often taking owners by surprise. It's critical to respond appropriately to protect all involved.

If Your Dog Bites Someone

If your dog has bitten someone, it’s a scary and emotional situation. But there are important steps to take in the aftermath.

• Remain calm and remove your dog from the situation as safety as possible.

• Separate your dog in a crate/room or place them in the car.

• Do not punish the dog as a response to the incident.

• Check on the injury and help the person get first aid or medical care if needed.

• Exchange content information.

• Reflect on what may have triggered the bite.

• Review the situation objectively later once emotions have settled.

• Identify what circumstances and gaps in training may have contributed.

• Reach out to a dog behavior professional for support.

• Extend sincere apologies and follow up with the person.

• Provide payment for medical expenses if relevant.

After a biting incident, it's normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. But assessing the severity first provides critical insight on appropriate next steps. Using Dr. Ian Dunbar's Bite Scale allows you to objectively classify the bite from Level 1 to Level 6 based on wound pathology. Over 99% of incidents are Level 1 or 2 - the dog may be fearful or rambunctious but prognosis is excellent with training.

Level 3 and 4 bites require more rigorous response. Level 3 indicates poor bite inhibition and prognosis is fair with owner compliance to dedicated training. But Level 4 bites can be very dangerous with poor prognosis - these dogs require expert handling. Regardless of severity, understanding where a bite falls on the Dunbar Bite Scale will guide you in a reasoned, fact-based response. While scary, a bite doesn't necessarily mean your dog cannot be trusted ever again.

Dogs rarely bite out of the blue. There are underlying motivations behind the behavior that are important to understand. Common reasons include:

• Fear - Dogs may bite when they feel threatened or afraid. This could be from perceived danger, loud noises, unfamiliar people/animals, or poor socialization. Biting is their reaction to protect themselves.

• Pain or Sickness - Dogs in pain from an injury or illness can become quick to react with aggression including biting. Their bites may be a response to discomfort being handled or approached.

• Resource Guarding - Dogs may bite to guard resources like food, toys, beds, or attention. They don't want to share these valued items.

• Frustration - Biting can arise when a dog is confined, restrained, or overexcited and lacks an outlet for their energy and arousal.

• Predatory Instinct - Some dogs may bite when triggered by movement or sounds that activate their prey drive instincts.

• Hyper Arousal - Arousal can lead to biting if the dog has pent up energy and becomes overexcited without an appropriate outlet.

• Read more about it on my blog.

If your dog has bitten before, it's critical to take proactive steps to prevent further incidents. There are compassionate ways to manage dogs prone to this behavior while working to resolve the underlying cause. Here are some tips:

• Prevent Unsupervised Interactions - Dogs with a history of biting should not be left alone with unfamiliar people. Create a safe space for the dog to go to when guests visit.

• Use Baby Gates & Closed Doors - Baby gates and closed doors can restrict access and keep dogs separated from visitors and other pets. This also prevents wandering into high arousal situations.

• Implement Muzzle Training - Introduce a basket-style muzzle for walks and any unavoidable close interactions. Ensure the muzzle fits properly and condition the dog to find wearing it rewarding. Muzzles keep dogs and others safe.

• Avoid Triggers - If certain environments, people or stimuli are known to trigger biting, prevent exposure to those scenarios.

Patience and prevention are key to keeping biting dogs and those around them safe. With compassion, management and training, dogs can overcome their challenges while living fulfilling lives.

While no dog bite should be taken lightly, there are solutions available depending on the severity and circumstances. As a responsible owner, you must objectively evaluate your ability to prevent bites moving forward based on your dog's individual progress and needs. Their quality of life also deserves consideration. Remember, I'm here to support you each step of the way. If you need to discuss your case, schedule a consultation.

Please don't hesitate to reply if you have any other questions. I'm wishing you patience and peace as you move forward, whatever path that takes. Your compassion for your dog and those around them will guide the way.

In my next newsletter, we'll discuss predatory behavior in dogs - what motivates it, prevention tips, and training approaches. Look out for that issue arriving soon!

Warmest Wags,