Dog Biting: How to Deal with and Prevent Dog Bites

Dog biting is a serious matter. If your dog bites someone, you are responsible for his behavior. There are many things you can do to keep your dog from biting.

• It is recommended that you introduce your dog to everything he may encounter before he is 6 months old. He should be socialized with other dogs, as well as people. He should also be introduced to different environments and be taught to deal with different situations, such as going to the vet.
• It’s not a good idea to play fight or play tug-of-war with your dog. Aggression on your part will lead to aggression on his part. If you want to train him to be a guard dog, there are more effective training methods.
• When trying to discipline your dog, it must be a group effort. Everyone residing in the household should know the training techniques to follow in order to maintain consistency. If everyone does not participate in this joint venture, the effort is hopeless. Consistency is key in training against dog biting.
• Spaying or neutering your dog can also reduce the probability of your dog biting.

If your dog is extremely aggressive, it is recommended that you hire an obedience trainer. NEVER send your dog out to be trained. Not all trainers are reputable. I had a friend who hired a trainer to come to her home to help her discipline her Rottweiler. When the dog snapped at the trainer, he gave the dog a swift kick in the ribs which made the dog yelp. He did this right in front of the owner. She didn’t react because she didn’t know what she should expect of a trainer. If he had the ordacity to do this in front of the owner, imagine what he would have done behind her back. Needless to say, the dog had broken ribs, my friend was out $300 and her dog problem was never resolved.

Be sure that when you hire a trainer, he or she will train your dog in your own home. If he is taught at a location other than your home, he will associate his good behavior with that location. A good trainer will involve you in the training process and have you perform the commands along side him.

How to avoid dog biting

• Never trust a dog you don’t know, no matter how friendly he may seem.
• Never run away from a dog. This will instigate a chase. If a dog has you cornered, stay perfectly still and avoid dead eye contact.
• Never attempt to take a bone or chew toy away from a dog.
• Never try to break up a dog fight by separating them with your hands. You can try squirting them with a hose or water in a spray bottle.
• Never touch a dog’s food while he’s eating.
• Stay away from chained dogs. They often feel resentment for being tied up and may attempt to attack.
• Make him comfortable with the grooming process at an early age.

If a dog is ready to attack

• Never run away. Stay still and remain quiet.
• Don’t make any sudden movements with your hands. The dog will acknowledge this as a threat.
• Avoid eye contact.
• The dog will eventually let down his guard and back off.
• At this point, you can slowly move away from the situation.

If you are being attacked

• Try to use anything in your possession as a barrier between you and the dog. You can use your sweater, a shopping bag, your pocketbook, a backpack, your shoe, etc.
• While you are creating this barrier, try to back yourself up into a safe area. A safe area could consist of climbing onto the hood or roof of a car, entering a gated area or climbing onto the kitchen table.

What to do if bitten by a dog

• Wash the wound with soap and water.
• Disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol and cover it with a bandage.
• See a doctor or go to the hospital within 24 hours of the initial bite. If the dog broke skin, you will probably need a Tetnus shot. You may also need to take antibiotics to ward off infection. A dog bite can develop into something quite serious if it is not properly treated within the first 24 hours.
• Report the bite to your local animal control center.

Remember, dog biting is a serious issue that involves serious consequences for both you and your dog. Don’t let ignorance place you in a position of having to get rid of your dog or worse, having him put to sleep.

Nancy Settecasi, Owner of Happy K-9 Dog Care
Proud owner of Cookie and Skippy, Cocker Spaniels, Dog Lover
http://www.happyk-9.com