Dog Bite Prevention - How to Stay Safe Around Aggressive Dogs

Announcement: As a public service to our local pet services community Top Dog K9 Training Solutions offers a free one hour bite prevention and canine behavior seminar to local vet clinics, pet stores, boarding kennels, groomers, dog walkers and pet sitting companies in Lexington, KY and surrounding areas. Click here to learn you can schedule your free seminar today.

Dog Bite Prevention 101

All dogs bite. Every single dog on earth has a set of teeth and they are all capable of using them to bite. Understanding that fact alone can help you avoid getting bitten simply by using some common sense when around dogs. Especially when you are around strange dogs that you do not know.

Dogs bite for many reasons. A few of the top reasons are:

• Defective genetics. Back yard breeders, puppy mills and people out to make a buck pump out defective dogs like crazy. They breed dogs that are genetically defective and have aggression issues to boot. These dogs are more likely to produce puppies that are genetically defective too. They are more likely to bite as a result.



• Dogs that have been taught to bite. Hundreds of people teach their dogs to bite. Most don't mean too do this, but they do. Dogs learn to bite because they are teased with food, toys, or people play tug of war or other games that teach the dog to use aggression (and their teeth) to get what they want.



• Fearful dogs. Fearful dogs are more likely to bite to defend themselves from a perceived threat than a dog with appropriate social skills.



• Medical issues. Dogs that have medical problems are more likely to become aggressive than a healthy dog. A dog with a brain tumor for example can suddenly "snap" and start attacking people and/or dogs they have lived with for years. Medical issues like tumors, cancer, bone and joint discomfort, and old age can cause a dog to become aggressive.



• Dominant Dogs. Dogs that are born leaders will challenge their human pack mates every chance they get and when their subtle canine ways of persuasion fail they will turn to aggression and their teeth to get the point across.

Whatever the reason an aggressive dog is an aggressive dog and the best strategy is to avoid confrontation with them. On that note if you do encounter an aggressive dog here are a few tips that can make the difference between coming away unharmed or being mauled.

Dog Bite Prevention Tips for Adults and Kids

1. Avoid direct eye contact. Do not look the dog directly in the eyes. Watch their chest, shoulder, or look at the tip of their nose. Direct eye contact is a challenge and is seen as an aggressive form of body language to a dog.

2. Stay still. Do not run or try to flee the scene quickly. Stay still and "be a tree." If the dog approaches you let them do so. This is easier said and done though. Stay still and let the dog approach and if they attempt to sniff you let them.

3. Move Ultra Slow. When you do move, move slowly and stay facing the dog. Do not turn your back to them and do not shuffle around and move quickly. Move slowly away from the dog while you face them.

4. Find an object and put it between you and the dog. If you are next to a tree then move slowly toward the tree (again, facing the dog at all times and avoiding eye contact) and put the tree between you and the dog.

For kids: If you encounter a dog while on your bike or walking home from school use your lunch box, backpack or bike and put it between you and the dog. If the dog tries to bite you "feed" the item into the dogs mouth and move away to a safe location. Do not run!

5. Avoid stray dogs. If you see a dog running loose turn around and go the other way. Avoid the dog and you will avoid a dog bite.

6. Never approach a strange dog. If you see someone walking down the street with a dog do not approach them. If you have kids teach them that they can not pet strange dogs. I encourage all parents to not allow their kids to pet strange dogs even if the dog owner gives permission. The only exception to this rule is if you know the dog personally and you know without a doubt it is okay with children.

When you do allow your kids to pet a dog teach them to softly pet the dog under the chin and not over the head. Dogs do not like having the top of their heads pat and this can cause some dogs to get aggressive.

7. Dogs should meet you first. People greet with a handshake or a hug. Dogs do not use this same type of greeting ritual and to use these approaches with a dog can get you bitten. Allow the dog to come to you and sniff you first. Do not reach your hand out, do not bend over and put your face in the dogs face and never hug a dog around the neck. All of those behaviors are rude in canine language and can be met with a bite to the face or hand.

Once the dog sniffs you then you can slowly reach down and give them a rub under the chin or to the shoulder area of the dog.

8. Learn to read doggie body language.

Fearful body language - avoids eye contact, turns head, tail is hung low or tucked under the buttocks, body is shaking, the dog backs away from you when you approach. Do not approach a dog displaying any of these behaviors.

Aggressive body language - direct eye contact, head is held up, tail is held middle to high (can be wagging or not), body stiffens up, leans forward or moves forward, raises lips, shows teeth, growls, lunges, barking. Do not approach a dog if they show any of these signs.

9. Avoid bending over a dog, approaching straight on, or from the side.. To some dogs this is a sign of disrespect and dominant behavior. Do not bend over a dog for any reason. Approach at an angle and slowly. Do not approach them straight on and turn your body to the side to show the dog you are not a threat. Do not approach them from the side as this is a how a dominant dog approaches a submissive dog. It's called the "T-bone" approach because they form a T.

10. Never fight, argue with, or confront an aggressive dog. Men typically try to "out macho" a dog into running away. This is the wrong approach and will get you bitten or seriously injured and possibly killed. Confronting an aggressive dog is like bringing a knife to a gun fight. The dog has the tools, the skills and the strength to back them up.

Never try to out fight a dog in a dog fight. It's plain stupid.

Additional Resources - Child Safety Around Dogs: Ten Things Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids About Behaving Around Dogs