The Biting Dog

Digg   Del.icio.us   Stumble   Share

See Larger Image

All dogs are potential biters and biting is a normal part of every dog's behavioral repertoire.

Fortunately, it's relatively uncommon for dogs to biteQuick Fit Muzzle For Dogs
Four Paws Quick Fit Muzzle For Dogs helps stop biting, barking and chewing, but allows panting and drinking. It's made of strong nylon and is... and injure human beings. Contrary to expectations, victims of dog bites aren't just burglars or mail carriers - records kept by departments of public health show that the most frequent victims are children and the elderly. Similarly, biters aren't typically "wild," uncontrolled dogs; they usually are pet dogs owned by the victim's family or by a neighbor.

A dog's motivation for biting usually falls into one of three categories: territorial defense, social dominance or fearAnxiety Relief From Loud Noises
HomeoPet Anxiety Relief From Loud Noises is for relief from fear of: Thunderstorms, Fireworks, Loud Noises, Windstorms. Restlessness, anxious and unwa... - or, all three. Play biting is another matter: It is part of puppies' play wrestling and the "mouthing" that occurs lacks the threatening body signals of a serious bite.

Understanding the problem is the first step in making your dog a safe member of your family and community.

Social dominance may be a problem for the dog's own family. Dogs live by rules of dominance and deference communicated by body language that we don't necessarily understand. They may snap or bite when the "rules" are violated. Take, for example, a cocker spanielCocker Spaniels Book
The Cocker is the smallest of the sporting dogs, but for years it has been just as popular as a house pet. Barron's Cocker Spaniels Book provides ... that is awakened with a hug from a toddler. While some dogs would yawn and go back to sleepSnooZZy with Bumper Original Fleece Crate Bed
Precision Pet Products SnooZZy Crate Bed. Place Bumper Bed in crates, carriers, dog houses, SUVs, or anywhere! The luxurious acrylic fleece is complet..., others might consider this an egregious violation and might respond with a bite.

Dominance-related biting isn't simply a result of holding the "alpha" position in the family - it can be complex and unpredictable. From the dog's point of view, each bite is provoked, although the provocation can be subtle and difficult for us to appreciate.

FearAnxiety Relief From Loud Noises
HomeoPet Anxiety Relief From Loud Noises is for relief from fear of: Thunderstorms, Fireworks, Loud Noises, Windstorms. Restlessness, anxious and unwa... and edginess play a role in almost every situation. Unfamiliar or intimidating circumstances can push a dog over the edge so that he protects himself by biting. This can happen regardless of whether the victim is a stranger, a familiar child, or a member of the dog's family.

Biting, regardless of cause, is a serious problem that can sometimes lead to serious injury, loss of your dog and/or homeowner's insurance, and even to lawsuits. If your dog has shown a tendency to bite, you can minimize the chances of further aggressive incidents by keeping him leashed – even indoors – and by not leaving him tied or fenced outdoors when unsupervised.

A behavioral specialist can guide you through issues of safety and prevention. He or she can help teach both you and your dog to feel confident and safe around frightening or provocative situations without resorting to physical punishment, which often exacerbates any potential for aggressiveness.

 

Printable Version

Digg   Del.icio.us   Stumble   Share

Share this Article with a Friend Email To:

 

Have a Pet Question?

Send Your Pet Question to Dr. Jon
and His Staff of Veterinarians

Dr. Jon's Newsletter

Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...

 

 

Related Articles

Search Over 15,000 articles

• 1 When Dogs Get Too Aggressive

  In the canine world, aggression is a natural tendency that many dogs will experience at one time or another. The problem is instinctive. Although a myriad of issues may complicate the situation, when it...

  Read More
• 2 Aggression in Dogs

  Aggression is the most common and potentially the most serious canine behavior problem encountered by both dog owners and veterinarians.

  Read More

Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

Dogs & Puppies

Dog Breeds

labrador retriever, golden retriever, yorkshire terriers, german shepherds, beagle, boxers

Dog Medication

dog allergy medication, dog pain medication, dog anxiety medication, dog flea medication

Dog Products

dog bowls, dog crates, dog toys, dog beds, dog ramps, dog food storage, dog tags

Dog Symptoms

dog vomiting, dog limping, dog diarrhea, dog bad breath, dog coughing, dog seizures

Dog Health

dog cancer, dog diabetes, dog epilepsy, dog hip dysplasia, dog health, sick dog

Dog Care

dog vaccination, dog microchipping, dog grooming, dog neutering, dog spaying, dogs mating

Dog Training

dog aggression, dog barking, dog chewing, dog behavior, dog jumping, dog whisperer

Dog Pictures

puppy pictures, funny dogs, cute dogs, dog breeds, sleeping dogs, silly dogs, small dogs

Cats

Cat Breeds

persian, siamese cats, devon rex, ragdoll cats, sphynx, maine coon cat

Cat Medication

cat flea medication, cat heartworm control, cat tick medications

Cat Products

cat litter box, cat food, cat bed, cat flea collar, cat carrier, cat urine odor

Cat Symptoms

cat vomiting, cat limping, cat diarrhea, cat bad breath, cat coughing

Cat Health

cat health, cat liver cancer, cat diabetes, cat scratch fever, cat aids, sick cat

Cat Care

cat vaccination, cat grooming, cat microchipping, cat neutering, cat spaying

Cat Behavior

cat urine marking, cat furniture scratching, cat litterbox training, cat toilet training, cat fears

Cat Pictures

cute cats, funny cats, playful cats, fat cats, jumping cats, lazy cats, sleeping cats, cute kittens