Preventing dog-related injuries

All dogs can bite

Not just unfamiliar dogs or strays: all dogs can bite or scratch. Dogs defend themselves when they are confused, nervous, scared, feel threatened, or are protecting a resource. They can also bite or scratch when they are in pain or any sort of physical distress. Dogs can lash out when they are in high states of arousal, excitement and frustration. Prevention starts long before a bite is even close, and it starts with one idea: give the dog choices.

Four habits that prevent injuries

1. 1
   Give the dog choices

   Space, participation, and approach are the dog's to decide. The details are below.

2. 2
   Avoid forcefully removing food or a toy from a dog's mouth

   Unless it is a genuine emergency.

3. 3
   Move slowly and thoughtfully

   No fast hands, no sudden reaches, with any dog or puppy.

4. 4
   Observe body language, posture and physical signs of stress or arousal

   Be aware of the dog's body posture, eyes, ears and mouth. Some dogs may exhibit piloerection (hair standing up on the dog's back from the nape of the neck to the top of the tail).

What giving a dog choices looks like

Choice is the cheapest safety equipment you own. In practice it means:

• Increase the space between you and a dog if they are fearful.
• Let a dog decide whether to participate in an activity: favorite treats are a great way to persuade a dog to opt in.
• Allow a dog to approach you before any greeting, touching or petting.
• If a dog chooses not to approach a person or another dog, accept the choice. It is never okay to force a dog to meet a person or another dog.

The numbers

The statistics on dog bites point in one direction: bites happen close to home, with dogs people know.

• Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.
• Children are the most common victims, with 5- to 9-year-olds bitten most often, and young children are the most likely to be bitten on the face, head and neck.
• Senior citizens are the second most common victims.
• Most bites affecting young children happen during everyday activities with familiar dogs.
• Over half of bite injuries occur at home, with a familiar dog, not an unknown one.
• The more dogs in a home, the higher the likelihood of a bite. Adults living with two or more dogs are five times more likely to be bitten than adults living without dogs.
• Any bite from an unknown dog that breaks skin warrants a doctor's visit.

The four fear responses

The common reactions of a stressed dog are known as the four fear responses:

Stress stops learning

If you witness any of these responses, stop and analyze the situation. A dog under stress cannot effectively learn or interact with humans and dogs. Wherever possible, relieve the stress before it has a chance to escalate into a dangerous situation.

Key takeaways

• Any dog can bite or scratch, familiar and friendly ones included, so prevention starts long before a bite is close.
• Move slowly with no sudden reaches, and never forcefully take food or a toy from a dog's mouth except in an emergency.
• Most bites come from a dog the person already knows, so treat "he's friendly" as a reason to keep watching.
• When a dog shows any of the four fear responses, stop, look at what is going on, and change the situation before it escalates.