Sure, your neighbor’s dog might be cute. However, that adorable dog may have aggressive tendencies. All it takes is one bite to the face to create a disfiguring scar. This is why you’ve got to warn your little one of the dangers of biting.
According to the CDC, dogs bite about 4.5 million people every year in America. And one out of five of these bites will develop into an infection. Rabies, MRSA and tetanus are just a few of the infections and diseases that dog bites can cause.
Unfortunately, two particular types of dogs have developed a bad rap because of these occurrences. According to the Canine Journal, Pit Bulls bite the most people, followed by Rottweilers.
However, this DOES NOT mean that Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are bad or unloving creatures. All dogs can bite. It’s just a matter of how they’re trained. Many of these dogs belong to cruel owners who couldn't care less about both the dog and its behavior.
This has created a sad stereotype of these canines, resulting in fear and distrust of Pit Bulls and Rottweilers in general. Lots of these puppies are wonderful, loyal pets.
So how do you know if a dog is going to bite?
Learn Canine Body Language
The first step in knowing if a dog is going to bite is to analyze the dog’s body language. According to DoggoneSafe.com, dog behavior can be subtle. And lots of bites could be avoided if both parents and kids took the time to understand how dogs communicate.
For example, a dog who is nervous may be inclined to bite, so try to create a calm environment for the dog. This means keeping your child from being aggressive. There’s a fine line between allowing a child to play with a dog and allowing a child to taunt a dog. No one likes to be taunted -- dogs included. When a dog has reached its limit, it may bite.
Further, you need to look at the dog’s mannerisms. Victoria Stilwell, chief executive of Atlanta-based Positively Dog Training and host of Animal Planet show "It's Me or the Dog," tells The Wall Street Journal that the first clue is barking and growling. If a dog is giving off a rumbling growl or an uncontrollable bark, he or she may be gearing up for aggression.
Look at the dog’s ears. If they are flat or perked up, this can be a sign of aggression. Drooling or cowering types of behavior or backing up to get away from you may indicate a bite is imminent. In this situation, you and your child need to back off.
Another essential and misunderstood concept is that tail wagging equates to fun and games. "A wagging tail doesn't always mean that the dog is happy," Stilwell tells The Wall Street Journal. "Dogs will wag their tails when they are upset or over-aroused."
The same goes for a belly moment. If a dog rolls over on his or her back and shows you its cute little belly, this doesn’t always mean that the dog wants to be petted. It can be a signal that you’re too close. Yawning or looking away also can be signals.
A dog looking at you fiercely can be a sign that it’s not happy. According to Petful, direct eye contact is a threat from a canine. And if the dog is standing with its chest puffed up and legs spread wide, he or she is making an attempt to look bigger. This is the same concept that we are told to employ if we see a bear in the woods.
Further, look for whether or not a dog is showing you its front teeth. Petful says that this is a sign that a dog is about to bite. However, kids may not know this, so you’ve got to tell them. An unknowing child may try to pet a dog who is showing its teeth, which lays the groundwork for a painful bite.
What Message Are You Sending a Dog?
You also need to think about the messages you’re giving to a dog. Your goal is to look as unaggressive as possible. This will decrease the risk that a dog views you as a threat. In addition, speak in a quiet, calm manner.
And don’t look directly at the dog because direct eye contact could be perceived as a threat. Approach the dog slowly and steadily. Tell your child to do the same. Kids who are too hyper can put dogs on the defensive, which increases the chance of a bite.
So what do you do if you think a dog is going to bite?
If you think a dog is going to bite you, Petful suggests trying to put something in its mouth, like your purse. This will protect your arms, legs and face. And if the dog does bite, don’t hurt the dog by slapping or hitting it. This will only antagonize the dog. Other experts say to get down on the ground and curl up into a ball to show the dog that you aren’t a threat – and to protect vital organs and extremities of the body.
In general, knowing the dog that you adopt can help to reduce the risk of bites. According to Canine Journal, you should steer clear of dogs who have been known to bite. If it’s an adult shelter dog, ask about the dog’s past. Why was the dog surrendered? Does the shelter know the dog’s history?
Engaging in play with the dog you’re considering adopting is important to give you clues about the dog’s temperament. How does the dog play with children? Does he or she seem scared? Is he or she delighted to be around little ones?
Further, you’ll want to train and socialize your dog appropriately. Don’t leave a new dog unattended for hours on end. Consider doggie daycare or a pet sitter to get the dog accustomed to people and other pets. And spay or neuter your pet before bringing it into your household to reduce aggression.
Finally, talk to your vet about breeds that you’re thinking about getting. All breeds are different, so you want to know what you’re getting into. Information from an expert can be helpful when it comes to choosing your newest member of the family.