What Are the Common Causes of Dog Bites?

Dogs can bite anyone, so understanding the most common causes can help prevent an unwanted incident. This article will discuss stress, anxiety, boredom, and irritation as common causes of dog bites. We’ll also discuss how to prevent a dog bite by keeping a close eye on your dog. Finally, should you be in a situation where you get injuries caused by dog bites, you can ask assistance from attorneys at Hassett & George, P.C. to help you with legal action.

Stress

Dogs may bite because they’re trying to get away from something uncomfortable. Many dogs develop a habit of resource guarding – this means they’ll bite an intruder if they feel threatened. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to feel protective of their family and home and will bite out of frustration when provoked. Stress can also cause a dog to bite out of play. Furthermore, they’re too young to follow safety instructions reliably. The most common age group that dogs chew out of fear is preschoolers. Dogs view interaction with children as gentle, but they can interpret it as a threat if a child approaches too closely or yells. Young children may overlook these signs.

Anxiety

One of the most common reasons dogs bites is their upset. This frustration can manifest itself in several ways. Your dog may be confused, stuck, or feeling pent-up anxiety or energy. They might want something, and it won’t give it to you, and they’ll bite to express their frustration. Thankfully, there are many preventable causes of dog aggression and bites.

Overstimulation can lead to anxiety in pets and can also be a sign of stress in humans. Pain is another factor in dog behavior that can dramatically change your pet’s behavior. Pain and age are likely to change the way your dog behaves.

Boredom

Dogs can exhibit unusual behavior when bored. Some dogs may chew on their body parts or chase their tails, while others may chew on your furniture or shoes. Your dog may even mimic the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder or injure themselves. However, many times these behaviors are merely a sign of boredom. There are some simple tips for you to follow to prevent your dog from becoming a victim of boredom.

One way to prevent your dog from becoming bored is to give him lots of toys. Your dog will get bored with the same toy after a while, so you need to rotate toys regularly. A pup with many toys needs several at any time, while a single dog may need around eight to ten. Make sure to turn toys around every few days to ensure your pup is engaged and has fun with them.

Irritation

Dogs can bite for many reasons. Sometimes, they’re in pain and fear further harm or frustration. Dogs who have a chronic illness should be more careful around other people. Some training equipment can be painful to older dogs. If you notice your dog is licking itself, it may be because of arthritis or a foreign object lodged in its coat or paws.

Insects can also cause itching and biting. A dog’s skin can become extremely sensitive to the saliva and venom of some insects. Itching can be immediate or take days to appear. In addition, certain substances can cause a dog to bite, including flea collars, lawn chemicals, and wool from the bedding. Regardless of why your dog bites, the right way to address it is to consult your veterinarian.

Physical Punishment

When dogs are scolded, they feel threatened or afraid. Unfortunately, this is not an excellent way to teach them not to bite. This technique doesn’t address the root causes of the problem and may only make the dog fearful or less obedient. It may even make the dog more aggressive. The best solution is to find another way to punish your dog. Physical punishment is one of the most common reasons dogs bites, but other alternatives exist.

Sometimes, dogs bite out of instinct. When threatened, they may bite to protect themselves, their territory, or other pack members. A mother dog watching her pups might bite out of fear. A resource-guarding dog may bite when there is a perceived loss of possessions. Whether a dog is protecting itself or defending its young, a bite will help to resolve the situation for the dog.