BY FRAN JEWELL
The first step to preventing dog bites is to realize that all dogs have the potential to bite, given the right situation. For us to believe that our dog will never bite, no matter what, is unrealistic. Even the most docile, sweet golden retriever can decide to nip a youngster lying on its sore, arthritic hip.
Once we understand that dogs are living beings, regardless of how wonderful they are, we know there can be a time with the right set of circumstances that our lovely friend may nip or bite. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent bites from happening in the first place. An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.
- Leash your dog when someone comes near. It’s just common courtesy to understand that not everyone will adore your dog like you do. Then, ask if your dog can approach in a controlled manner. Teaching your dog respectful greeting habits is imperative. This also gives your dog a sense of security—that you will handle things, thus reducing stress that can contribute to biting or nipping. A leash is your connection to your dog.
- Socialize your dog. That doesn’t mean just play dates with other dogs; it means lots of different experiences where you control the outcome to be a positive one. It does not mean leaving the situation for your dog to decide how to respond. Set your dog up for success!
- Have a secure place in your home for your dog. That might mean a fenced-in yard, away from nearby walkways or streets. Dogs that are allowed too close to public walkways are in danger of harassment from strangers that don’t mean well. Be sure to lock gates and only allow landscapers in when you unlock the gate.
- Lock your front door. For myself, on three different occasions over the years, I have had people start to open my front door, thinking my house belonged to their friend who actually lived next door. I was fortunate that my door was locked. Startled dogs in your home are much more likely to become naturally protective.
- Be sure that if you have a dog that lives in chronic pain (and this can be hard to know for sure, so check with your veterinarian), their pain is being controlled. Dogs in pain from arthritis, joint disease, cancer, or other problems, can become easily irritated and resort to biting or nipping to protect themselves. Other health issues can cause dogs to be more reactive, including loss of hearing or vision. Again, health issues should be diagnosed by your veterinarian with regular checkups.
- Teach small children to be respectful of dogs—every dog. Children should never sit on, pull hair or ears, or be allowed to put their hands in or go near dogs’ food bowls. Children should not be allowed to take a dog’s toy from it either. No matter how tolerant the dog may seem, there might come a day when your dog feels off, or more stressed, and then may decide to defend its food or toy. Remember, dogs are dogs and living beings, which means they are not always predictable, no matter how sweet they have been in the past.
- Get early training for your puppy. When puppies learn about bite inhibition and proper personal restraint before they are 16 weeks of age, it greatly reduces the risk of that puppy biting or nipping when it gets older.
- Never get down to a dog’s head level. This can be very threatening to some dogs and cause them to bite right in your face.
- Don’t hug a dog you do not have a very good relationship with. This is especially true for children. A fearful dog may retaliate with a growl or bite.
- Never stare at a dog you don’t know. Staring is a challenge to fight in dog language. Turn sideways and ignore new dogs instead of greeting them like another human.
While this list does not encompass every situation, it will help you get on the road to preventing nipping and biting. Once a dog bites, it becomes very difficult to reverse that behavior
If you are bitten, please take out your cellphone and photograph the dog, the owner and the bite immediately and call the police or sheriff. Do not let this dog bite another person! It is time that we start making people responsible for the behavior of their dogs.
Fran Jewell is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, IAABC-certified dog behavior consultant, NADOI-certified instructor #1096 and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC, in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call (208) 578-1565.