There is a saying that dogs are a man’s best friend. There’s a good chance that you probably grew up with a dog in your home. You might even have one now. Owning a dog comes with a lot of responsibility. You need to feed your dog, walk your dog, and take your dog to the vet on a regular basis. Furthermore, you are also responsible for what your dog does. If your dog ends up biting yourself or someone else, this can lead to serious complications. A recent article stated that “Dog bites can cause serious injuries that include scarring, disfigurement, abrasions, sprains and strains, nerve damage, lacerations, puncture wounds, lost digits, tissue loss, cuts and gashes, infections such as rabies, emotional distress, social embarrassment from scarring, fractured bones, crush injuries, and psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).” Therefore, it is important to do everything possible to prevent dog bites from happening. This starts with understanding some of the common reasons why a dog might lash out and bite someone.
Dogs Are Possessive and Defend Their Territory
One of the first reasons why dogs may bite someone is that they are very possessive. They will fight to defend their territory. This might include a toy, a dog house, or even the home in which they live. For example, if you see a stray dog on the street, the dog may feel that you are encroaching on its territory. Therefore, it may bite you in response. Furthermore, if you have a dog in your home, your dog is going to feel possessive about your home, defending it against people who you may have invited inside. It is important to train your dog to react to visitors appropriately and let your visitors know that you have a dog in the home.
Dogs Will Bite if They Feel Scared
In addition, dogs will commonly bite someone that they are scared about the situation. For example, if you take your dog to the vet for the first time, he or she may be uncomfortable about the environment. Your dog probably will not know exactly what is going on and will not understand why a visit to the vet is important. If your dog is scared, it may bite someone in the waiting room, a member of the vet staff, or the vet himself or herself. Fortunately, a lot of people at the veterinarian’s office will know how to react to a scared dog without getting bitten. On the other hand, people in the waiting room may not.
Dogs Will Bite if They Feel They Are Being Threatened
Finally, if a dog feels like he or she is being threatened by something or someone, the dog will use biting as a defense mechanism. For example, if there is a small child running up to the dog, the dog may feel like a child is a threat and might bite in response. A dog may react the same way to new dogs or cats in the home. It is important for you to use caution when you are introducing other pets or people to your dog. That way, your dog will not feel threatened. This can reduce the chances of your dog biting someone.
Seek Care for Dog Bites Immediately
If someone is bitten by a dog, it is important to seek medical care right away. There is a chance to bite may damage nerves, tendons, or ligaments. Furthermore, a dog bite might also get infected, leading to further complications. They must be treated appropriately.