When the dog bites

There are a number of factors to consider when a dog bites.  When assessing what type of action or management to take, factors may include…

 

Did the dog bite a person or another dog?

Is the victim known to the dog?

What is the age of the dog and victim?

What is the dog’s social history?

What is the dog’s bite history?

What is the location of the bite on the body?

How many times in the one incident did they bite down?

Was skin broken or not?

What degree of damage was caused?

Who was present and did anyone else witness the event?

Investigate the number and degrees of potential triggers present.

What is the bite victim’s level of knowledge in canine behaviour?

What was the victim doing at the time and preceding the bite, moving, stationary, vocalizing, sitting, entering a room etc.

Was the dog on the dog’s own turf or outside of its home?

Was food, toys or other objects present?

Was the dog tethered, in a closed space, crowded place?

What was the dog doing at the time and preceding the bite?

Which visual warnings did the dog display preceding the bite eg body language warning signs of which there can be 4 or 5 either subtle or obvious? Did the dog display an audible warning or a growl?

 

These are just the initial questions but there would be more to find out. The reason for the bite (if uncovered) could well be a multi page document.

The threshold of tolerance can differ so much from one dog to another. Bite inhibition could be the single most important thing you can teach your puppy.  There are some wonderful methods available on the Internet to allow you to explore this.

 

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)