If put in the wrong situation, even the sweetest, most friendly dog can bite somebody. Understanding the causes of dog bites helps you prevent injury to yourself, your family, and others.
Educating yourself and the people around you about why dogs bite and why this might occur can save a lot of pain on everybody’s part. It protects both you and the dog. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs tend to bite in stressful situations, if they are not feeling well and even sometimes during play.
What could stress a dog out?
Dogs who are not properly socialized tend to exhibit signs of stress much quicker. Socializing your dog, especially when he or she is a puppy, is one of the best ways to ensure that the dog does not grow up to react strongly in unfamiliar situations.
It is also vital that you teach any young children that will be interacting with dogs how to do so. Small children can potentially stress out a dog by being extremely loud or pulling on the dog’s ears or tail. Proper education can help prevent dog bites here.
Why would a dog bite during play?
It is common for dogs to nip each other while they are playing. It is very possible for a nip that the dog intends to be do in the spirit of play can be dangerous to the human. Usually, it is a good idea to not play games like tug-of-war or wrestling with your dog, as this might encourage the dog to nip in his or her excitement.