Why Do Dogs Bite?
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
For centuries, dogs have earned the reputation of being Man’s Best Friend, but, as with all friends, misunderstandings can occur. Unfortunately, when this happens between humans and dogs, it can’t be talked or reasoned out, and so one of the ways that dogs resolve misunderstandings is through biting.This doesn’t mean that dogs are as petty or complex in their motivations as humans can be. Dogs have very simple motivations, so when they bite, it’s not due to jealousy, rivalry, ambition, or other complex human emotions. If you want to avoid being bitten by a dog—especially with regards to children, who are most at risk—here are a few of the triggers that can cause a dog to bite.
Territory Protection
Dogs are territorial, and they follow a hierarchy with the family they belong to. If the dog sees strangers in the home, they can sometimes interpret this as strangers invading the territory. This is one of the reasons why dogs are often used as a form of security.
A dog will bite if it perceives you or anyone else, like a child, as an invader. When dealing with a new dog, especially while visiting a home, take cues from the owner of the dog. If the owner insists on being with you or children to handle introductions to the dog, rather than letting people attempt this on their own, follow this advice.
Maternal Protection
If a dog has just had puppies, she is in full maternal instinct protection mode. While she will trust members of the household implicitly, whom she considers a part of her “pack,” she does not extend this same automatic trust to strangers.
If you, or a child you bring into a home with puppies attempts to interact with the puppies, this can sometimes cause an attack from the mother, who does not know or understand your intentions. All she knows is that a stranger has made a move towards her children, and she will attack first to protect them.
Pestering Has Passed The Tolerance Point
This is one of the most common causes of dog bites, and, unfortunately, it is children who are often guiltiest of this act. Everyone wants to play with and interact with a dog. Children, however, often lack the experience to see a dog’s behavior and know when it is time to back and give a dog space.
Most dogs, if they have had enough, will walk away from a person and try to isolate themselves. Adults usually “take the hint,” but children may follow along and continue to pet and pester a dog. Depending on the dog’s temperament, they may try to rebuff the child’s harassment gently, or, if they lack the patience, may retaliate with a bite to end the harassment immediately.
Owners Have A Responsibility Too
All of this, however, is part of the responsibility of a dog owner. Dog owners must always exercise their familiarity with their dog’s behavior and be vigilant about interactions with others, especially children. If a dog owner allows a hostile dog to attack you or a family member, talk to a dog bite lawyer about your options may be.