dogsthatbite

Dogs That Bite

Classifications of Bites

Well-known veterinarian, dog trainer, and behaviorist Ian Dunbar has developed a six-level system of classifying bites, in order to make discussions of biting behaviour more consistent and understandable. Those levels are:

Level 1 Bite - Harassment but no skin contact. This is the so-called snap. Don't kid yourself. A snap is an intended "air bite" from a dog who did not intend to connect. He didn't just "miss' "It is a lovely warning signal, telling us that we need to identify his stressors and either desensitize him or manage his behaviour to avoid exposing him to the things that cause him undue stress.

Level 2 Bite - Tooth contact on skin but no puncture. Again, this is a bite from a dog who didn't intend to break skin, and a warning that this dog is serious. It's a very good idea to remove the dog's stressors at this point, before he graduates to the next level.

Level 3 Bite - Skin punctures, one to four holes from a single bite (all punctures shallower than the length of the canine tooth).

Level 4 Bite - One to four holes, deep black bruising with punctures deeper than the length of the canine (which means the dog bit and clamped down) or slashes in both directions from the puncture (the dog bit and shook his head).

Level 5 Bite - Multiple-bite attack with deep punctures, or multiple attack incident.

Level 6 Bite - Killed victim and/or consumed flesh?

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Dogs That Bite Postpone Family Dog till Kids are School Age
Dog Bites Flasher Where it Hurts Bite Prevention
Don't Worry they Won't Bite Biting
Dog Bites more Common in Young Children

Dogs That Bite

Dogs that bite might be broadly categorized into two groups: dogs that think they can; and dogs that think they must.

Dogs in the first group think they can at the dog's discretion. Dogs in the second group have, in the dog's perception, been put into the position that it feels it has no other choice. There is a big difference in the approach to dealing with each group, and a lot of variation within the approaches to the individual dogs.
The dog's that think they can range from dogs that are genetically predisposed, to those that have been environmentally encouraged through a lack of training or bad training. In both cases human failure has led the dog down a path that leads to misery for the dog and danger to humans. Dogs identified with genetic disposition to bite should never be bred. They are unsuitable for companion work, and it may be difficult if not impossible to gain reliable obedience response for duties requiring bite work.

The dog that bites because it think it must may be well trained and socialized, but perceives itself to be in a situation where it knows no other option to prevent what it perceives as an undesirable incident.
Bite prevention for both categories involves two approaches: training and management. Reliable obedience must be gained, and behaviour and perception modification used to enhance control of the obedience. Management is important because it must be used to prevent situations where obedience reliability has not yet been gained by training. In a perfect canine world management must be thought of as an interim measure and an addition to training - not as a substitute.

Training aggressive dogs and preventing aggressive behaviour from developing is both a training and a management issue. Bite prevention approached with training and integrated management has the best potential for success.

Success may be viewed as the lowest predictable level which is acceptable. None of my own dogs has ever bitten because I put them through extensive training to ensure their reliability. Yet I can not train for every situation, and I use management to prevent those situations from arising if possible.

George Hobson is a professional dog trainer residing in Columbia, Missouri, USA. He is the owner and senior trainer at Eastwood Kennel, which features lakes and several hundred acres for upland and versatile field dog training. A specially designed pond for puppies and young dogs ensures their successful start in water work on their way to becoming a partner in the field or duck blind. Private lessons for dogs of all ages, in obedience and manners required for being a lifetime companion, are part of the training regimen offered at Eastwood. Eastwood's philosophy is that a well mannered dog is the one that will always be a pleasure to own, and that it will be as welcome in a hotel as at home or in the field. Colonel Hobson is a member of the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, a Professional Member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, and has over 30 years experience in dog training.

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Dog bites flasher where it hurts

A man who flashed at a woman walking her dog got a shock when the German Shepherd cross bit his genitals.
Medical secretary Jacqui Jones was walking through a park in St Albans, Hertfordshire, when the man appeared from behind a tree.

Her dog Tara went after the man and bit him.

The 55-year-old told The Sun: "I could see the man was in a state of excitement but Tara wiped the smile off his face. He hobbled away doubled up in agony."

Police are hunting for the flasher who ran off after the attack.

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Don’t worry they won’t bite

While that's true for the vast majority of dogs, even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pup can bite if provoked. Unwisely, some owners actually promote aggression in their dogs as symbols of power.

From nips to bites to actual attacks, dog bites are a serious problem. Dog bite victims requiring medical attention in the United States number 500,000 to 1 million annually. Countless more bites go unreported and untreated. On average, about a dozen people die each year from dog bites.

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to address this problem.

Who's Being Bitten?
Children make up more than 60 percent of all dog bite victims. The national Centres for Disease Control and Prevention estimates half of all children 12 and younger have been bitten by a dog.

The elderly and home service people - like mail carriers and meter readers - also are high on the list of frequent dog bite victims.

What's a Dog Owner to Do?
Carefully consider your pet selection. Before and after selection, your veterinarian is the best source for information about behaviour and suitability.

Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy, so it feels at ease around people and other animals. Expose your puppy to a variety of situations a little at a time and under controlled circumstances; continue that exposure on a regular basis as your dog gets older. If you're not sure how your dog will react to a large crowd or a busy street, be cautious. Don't put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased.

Train your dog. The basic commands "sit," "stay," "no" and "come" can be incorporated into fun activities which build a bond of obedience and trust between pets and people. Don't play aggressive games like wrestling or tug-of-war with your dog.

Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control is important to how your dog feels and behaves.

Neuter your pet. It's a fact: Neutered dogs are less likely to bite. Be a responsible pet owner. License your dog with the community as required. Obey leash laws. Dogs are social animals; spending time with your pet is important. Dogs that are frequently left alone have a greater chance of developing behaviour problems.
Be alert. Know your dog. You naturally would be alert to signs of illness, but you must also watch for signs your dog is uncomfortable or feeling aggressive.

How Can My Family and I Avoid Being Bitten?
Be cautious around strange dogs and treat your own pet with respect. Because children are the most frequent victims of dog bites, parents and caregivers should:

NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.

Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations.

Start teaching young children - including toddlers - to be careful around pets.

Children must be taught NOT to approach strange dogs. Children should be taught to ask permission from a dog's owner before petting the dog.

Other Tips That May Prevent or Stop a Dog Attack:

Don't run past a dog. Dogs naturally love to chase and catch things. Don't give them a reason to become excited or aggressive.

Never disturb a dog that's caring for puppies, sleeping or eating.

If a dog approaches to sniff you - stay still. In most cases, the dog will go away when it determines you're not a threat.

If you're threatened by a dog, remain calm. Don't scream. If you say anything, speak calmly and firmly. Avoid eye contact. Try to stay still until the dog leaves, or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight. Don't turn and run.

If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.

What Should I Do if My Dog Bites Someone?

Even if the bite can be explained (perhaps someone stepped on the dog's tail), it's important to take responsibility for your dog's actions by taking these steps:

Restrain the dog immediately. Separate it from the scene of the attack. Confine it.

Check on the victim's condition. Wash wounds with soap and water. Professional medical advice should be sought to evaluate the risk of rabies or other infections. Call 911 if paramedic response is required.

Provide important information: Your name and address, and information about your dog's most recent rabies vaccination. If your dog does not have a current rabies vaccination, it may be necessary to quarantine it or even euthanise it for rabies testing. The person bitten may need to undergo rabies treatment.

Report the bite to your insurance company.
Comply with local ordinances regarding the reporting of dog bites.

Consult your veterinarian for advice about dog behaviour that will help prevent similar problems in the future.

If YOU are the bite victim - treat wounds.
If your own dog bit you, confine it immediately and call your veterinarian to check your dog's vaccination records.

If someone else's dog bit you, contact authorities and tell them everything you can about the dog: the owner's name, if you know it; colour of the dog; size; where you saw it; if you've seen it before. These details may help animal-control officers locate the dog.

Dogs are wonderful companions. By acting responsibly, owners not only reduce the number of dog bites, but also enhance the relationships they have with their dogs.

To learn more about the joys and responsibilities of pet ownership, contact your veterinarian or local veterinary association.

Provided in the interest of public safety:

Teaching without punishing
Training is an ongoing procedure that lasts your dog's lifetime and although throughout time punishment has been a part of dog training it is really not an effective way to teach your pet. Since it creates a sense of fear of being rebuked and not of learning why not to do it.

The problem with punishment
Trainers have time and again found that it is possible to elicit good and consistent behaviour without punishment. In fact punishment can sometimes have an adverse affect on your dog. Think about these points:
Punishment puts an end to unwanted behaviour but without giving an alternative.

The long-term negative effects of punishment training outweigh any benefits.

One interesting example of how punishment is ineffective is found in looking at humans and their bad habit of speeding. Those who have been fined for speeding understand what I mean. As the officer pulled you over you got this sick feeling in your stomach and you couldn't speak properly. Then you finally received your ticket, then you had to pay the fine and you had lost points on your license etc… But did all of this stop you from ever speeding again? Of course not, why just a few weeks later you found yourself going over the speed limit trying to make it to that important appointment on time.

So what happened? Did you learn not to speed or did you in fact become a more cautious speeder. Now you were looking around while speeding to make sure you didn't get caught again. The punishment had a reverse consequence. Instead of making you stop speeding it had made you a more skilled speeder.

Dog Punishment is Reactive
Training teaches appropriate behaviour but punishment is a response to bad behaviour. You also can't control what your dog learns when you use punishment as a training technique. Punishment is not a good way to fix behavioural problems because it only puts an end to a bad behaviour but without showing a desirable one. When the punishment is administered the undesirable action has already occurred and can't be undone anyway

When you punish your dog for something, you are conditioning them to expect something negative. For example if your dog jumps on your children and you punish him or your child punishes him he will begin to associate children with something bad. Obviously you don't want your family dog to learn this. If you are spending time training your dog to be social and friendly and then punish him for exhibiting this very trait, confusion will definitely result or worse.

How important is Timing in Dog Training
For punishment to be effective at all, it must be administered when the undesirable behaviour commences. Most pet owners just aren't able to do this. Even if you were able to punish at the correct time, your dog is usually over stimulated at that moment and therefore unable to process and understand the reason for his punishment. Which means that he simply becomes confused and misreads your actions.

Also the moment your dog ceased his inappropriate action you would then need to reward him. It is the correct action, which you want him to perform after all, and for him to learn this he must be taught. To train a dog it is necessary to repeat, repeat, and repeat. If your dog has a bad habit then it is that much more important for you to reinforce the new action that you want him to perform. Overall if you don't offer him an alternative to his bad behaviour he will misunderstand the reason for the correction and draw his own conclusion as to what it is you want him to do.

Redirecting Dog Behaviour
A much more effective method of dealing with your dog's inappropriate response is to interrupt it at the onset. If your dog begins to exhibit tension or nervousness simply distract him by calling his name or taking him out of the situation that is causing him stress.

If your dog is barking then he is probably not in the frame of mind for instruction. When a person is enraged, trying to communicate something to them is usually out of the question. Therefore the ideal is to stop your dog before he begins to over react. Remember that repetition is the way our dogs learn so if you can break a bad habit or stop it from beginning they will have less to unlearn.

When your dog is distracted or being disobedient it is not the time to repeat commands, as all he will be learning is to ignore you.

Study what the triggers are that bring on your dogs undesirable behaviour and then work at interrupting them at the beginning. Then step-by-step you want to teach him what is the acceptable behaviour; you can even train him with a substitute behaviour to replace the old undesirable one.

Establishing new Dog Behavioural Patterns
As we have mentioned before, you can substitute the inappropriate action for a better one. Teaching your dog any new behaviour takes time and planning. Much more so if you are also having to undo past problems or bad habits.

Repetition
As you are teaching your dog a new pattern of behaviour you want to also limit his opportunities to fall back into his old habit. By limiting his ability to perform the old action, and by constantly reinforcing only the new action he will be able to learn quicker. Dog’s respond to rewards and if only one action (the right one) is rewarded then he will more readily forsake the other (the wrong one).

Dog Training Aid
Managing a dog is a very important part of his training. He has fences, gates and a leash which all limit the things which he can do. These aids should be used and can be used very effectively if we realize that preventing our dog from jumping up on visitors through the use of a fence or leash means that we will not have to try to unteach this very undesirable action.

The fallout of punishment: aggression

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Dog bites more common in very young children

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Dog bites occur more often in very young children, so families should consider waiting until their children are of school age before they introduce a new dog into the household. Even then, parents might want to think twice about getting a Doberman pinscher or German shepherd, according to a study published on Monday.

Dr. Johannes Schalamon and associates at the Medical University of Graz, conducted a review of 341 children treated for dog bites at a trauma centre in Austria over a 10-year period.

They found that children 1 year of age or younger had the highest risk of being bitten, although children up to age 10 also had a higher risk than older individuals.

"Parents should postpone purchase of a dog until children are of school age," the researchers recommend. Children generally enter primary schools at age 5 or 6.

"Throughout evolution dogs have lived in packs with a specific order of dominance. In view of this rigorous hierarchal system in a pack, dogs may regard newborns as well as toddlers as subordinate," they added. But "school-aged children can be trained successfully in precautionary behaviour when approaching a dog."

The researchers also found that the risk of being bitten by a German shepherd or a Doberman was about five times higher than for a Labrador retriever or a mixed breed. No dog bites in the study involved fighting breeds such as pit bulls, perhaps because of increased public awareness of their aggressiveness, Schalamon's group added.

The study was published in the March issue of "Paediatrics," the journal of the American Academy of Paediatrics.

Fussing Dogs

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Postpone Family Dog Until Kids Are School-Age

By Kathleen Doheny Health Day Reporter

Kids and dogs may seem like a perfect match, but a new study finds the family pooch is best introduced after children reach the age of 5.

The reason is simple: Toddlers are much more likely than older children to unknowingly aggravate dogs, who may then react as dogs do -- by biting.

"Our study showed that the number of attacks on children decreases with age and is highest at 1 year of age," said Dr. Johannes Schalamon, a co-author of the study and a physician in the department of paediatric surgery at the Medical University of Graz in Austria.

"Therefore I would recommend to supervise younger children more closely when they are in contact with a dog and postpone the purchase of a dog until children are of school age," Schalamon said.

Once a family is ready for a dog, parents might also want to pay close attention to the breed, the researchers said. They found that German Shepherds and Dobermans, in particular, were more likely to bite children than other breeds.

The study is published in the March issue of Paediatrics.
Schalamon's team reviewed the charts of 341 children aged 17 or under who sought medical attention in Austrian hospitals due to a dog bite between 1994 and 2003. Then they analyzed dog registers to count the canine population in the community by breed.

The likelihood of a child receiving a dog bite decreased with age, with children 1 year old and younger most likely to be bitten, the researchers found. In all, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of the paediatric dog-bite cases occurred in children younger than 10. The risk of getting bitten by a German shepherd or a Doberman was more than five times higher than that of a Labrador retriever or a mixed-breed dog. Children were most likely to be bitten by dogs they knew -- their own pet or the pet of someone they knew.

Of the breeds in the registry, spaniels, Shi Tzu and Maltese were least likely to bite, the researchers said.
Fortunately, no children died, and 94 percent had injuries to just one body region -- usually the face, head and neck area. But 27 percent did require hospitalization, the researchers noted. More bites occurred in the summer months than other times of the year.

The report basically rings true for one emergency-room physician.
"Their findings I think are fairly accurate," said Dr. Kathleen Cowling, a spokeswoman for the American College of Emergency Physicians who works as an emergency doctor at Covenant HealthCare Emergency Care Centre in Saginaw, Mich. She believes some of the findings would hold true in the United States, too.
"But I disagree with the age 5" recommendation, she said. "Younger is OK, but parents need to be smart about it. Don't leave dogs and toddlers unattended. I think it is unrealistic to say, 'Don't have dogs until the kid is school age.' "

She pointed out that some couples get a dog before they have a child and are not eager to give the dog away when the baby arrives.

The location of the study might have had a bearing on results, as well, Cowling added. "In Europe in general, they are more liberal about taking dogs into business and about leashes," she said. Those attitudes could have upped the number of incidents.

Dr. Bernadine Cruz, a veterinarian in Laguna Hills, Calif., and a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, said "the study has some very good points." She favors ages 5 to 7 as a good age range to introduce a dog into a family.

But she takes exception to ranking a dog's tendency to bite by breed. "To say that one breed is more prone to bite is inappropriate and inaccurate," she said. "Typically there are worse bites from bigger dogs just because they are stronger."

Smaller dogs can and do bite, as the study itself showed, she said. The researchers found that children younger than age 5 sustained more attacks from small dogs compared with the older children.

Some of the bites studied by the Austrian researchers involved behaviour that could easily provoke a reaction, such as pulling the dog's tail or disturbing the dog while he is eating. Twenty-eight percent of bites happened when kids were "playing with/near the dog," the researchers noted.

On one point all experts agreed: Parents should teach their children how to handle a dog responsibly. Among the tips offered by the researchers: Let a dog sniff you before petting it. Do not run past dogs you don't know. Do not try to break up a dog fight.

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THE PET CONNECTION

Bite Prevention

Gina Spadafori Pet Columnist

http://veterinarypartner.com

Every year in the fall, I devote space to one of my highest priorities as a pet-care columnist: preventing dog bites, especially attacks on children.

Many people imagine that the biggest threat to their child's safety is an attack by some vicious neighborhood dog and that the risk increases when children start walking to school in the fall. And while it's true those random attacks do happen (and are all over the news when they do), the fact remains that in most cases, children are bitten by dogs they know, animals belonging to family or friends.

Much of the risk to children presented by a family dog can be minimized by making sure an animal is just that -- a member of the family, an indoor dog both trained and socialized. The most common description of a dog involved in an attack: young, unneutered and socially isolated, often kept on a chain.

Reversing those risk factors -- with the help of a trainer or behaviorist, in some cases -- won't make your dog absolutely safe (any dog may bite), but it will go a long way toward creating a safer family pet.
If you've taken steps to make your family dog as safe as possible, the next step in bite prevention is to teach your child what to do if encountering a potentially hostile dog on the street. This is especially important because our instincts, when faced with a threatening loose dog, could not be more deadly. We want to scream and run, which may trigger predatory behavior in a dog.

The Humane Society of the United States suggests teaching your children how to behave around strange dogs and how to react if attacked. Be sure your children know the following:

Never approach a loose dog, even if he seems friendly. Dogs confined in yards -- especially those on chains -- should also be avoided. If the dog is with his owner, children should always ask permission before petting the animal and then begin by offering the back of the hand for a sniff. Pat the dog on the neck or chest. The dog may interpret a pat from above as a dominant gesture. Teach your children to avoid fast or jerky movements.

"Be a tree" when a dog approaches, standing straight with feet together, fists under the neck and elbows into the chest. Teach your children to make no eye contact: Some dogs view this as a challenge. Running is a normal response to danger, but it's the worst possible response to a dog because it triggers the animal's instinct to chase and bite. Many dogs just sniff and leave. Teach your children to stay still until the animal walks away, and then back away slowly out of the area.

"Feed" the dog a jacket or backpack if attacked, or use a bike to block the dog. These strategies may keep an attacking dog's teeth from connecting with flesh.

Act like a log if knocked down -- face down, legs together, curled into a ball, with fists covering the back of the neck and forearms over the ears. This position protects vital areas and can keep an attack from turning fatal.

Role-play these lessons with your child until they are ingrained. Dealing with the dangers in your own yard and teaching your children how to cope may spare your child a bite -- and may even save a life.

Friendly pet? Choose a different sign
Many people use "Beware of Dog" signs to keep people out of their yards or protect their friendly pets. But these signs may not be your best friend. In fact, if your dog does happen to hurt someone -- even knocking someone down in a friendly greeting -- it may be argued that you knew your dog was dangerous with the posting of the sign.

A better option? A "Keep Gate Closed" sign may do the trick, but even better are the "Dog/Dogs in Yard" signs from The Original Pet Postings company (www.bigdoorproducts.com or 877-995-3667). The signs are $17, including shipping and mounting hardware, available in three different color combinations.

I like such signs -- and recommend them often -- because they can help keep both people and pets safe, while giving a potential intruder reason enough to move on.

Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of Dogs for Dummies, Cats for Dummies and Birds for Dummies. She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals.
Write to her at petconnection@gmail.com.

This work was originally published by Veterinary Information
Network, Inc. (VIN) and is republished with VIN's permission.

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Biting

Karen Peak
West Wind Dog Training

It is never a good idea to let Puppy play with your hands or feet – no matter how cute it seems. This teaches Puppy it is OK to bite skin. Even though tiny puppies playing tugof-war with your big finger is cute, it is teaching a very bad habit! Never let a puppy do something once that you do not want him to repeat. It is far easier to prevent bad habits from developing that it is to retrain an older puppy or adult dog. However, this can be used for adult dogs as well.

A good NILIF (see NILIF) program can also manage nipping in play and for attention as Nothing In Life Is Free is described earlier in the manual. However, it has to be done consistently and by all who play with the pup or dog.

Puppies are very oral – it is how they explore and learn.

First, teach pup that it's mouth has strength and they can control it. Let puppy at first apply a bit of pressure when he puts mouth on you. He needs to learn he has jaw control and how hard is too hard. This is in case puppy forgets manners and accidentally gets his mouth on you he will have learned that humans need gentle. Then he needs to learn that if his mouth gets on you, all play stops and he gets nothing. Puppies are very social
creatures and refusing to engage in play can be an effective training technique. As soon as puppy starts to bite or nip, give a loud, yelping "OUCH!!!" Follow with a low, growling "No Bite." Glare at the pup, get up and move away. After a minute or so, get a toy and return to puppy. Encourage the puppy to play with the toy. If he goes for you with a nip, repeat yelping and walking away. If the pup persists in this behavior (nipping), he may need a time out!

If you have yelped and walked away a couple times and pup keeps coming back for more, CALMLY place him in his crate or behind a baby gate where he cannot get to you. NEVER punish as you confine pup, as this will make the confinement area a negative place. Basically, as soon as that next nip comes, tell pup it is time out time and confine him. Puppies and dogs may become nippier as they get tired, over-stimulated, etc and a
bit of quiet time and even a nap may help.

Never play games that teach pup it is cute to put his mouth on humans. It is far easier to teach good manners from the beginning than it is to retrain an adult dog that thinks it is good to put him mouth on people in play, for attention, etc., and has for months or years. However, the same concept applies to adult dogs. Again, play nipping and attention nipping can be worked with a good NILIF program as well.

Should your dog continue to bite and not respond or if the biting is accompanied with aggression, growling or anything you do not like, contact a behaviorist. Also, have your dog examined by a vet. There could be an underlying factor for the biting. A dog that issore or not feeling well may bite. It is his way of saying something is not right. Also, a poorly socialized or scared dog is more prone to bite, as is a startled one. Teach your
children NEVER EVER touch a dog, even one they know, without the owner's permission. Teach them never to handle a stray or loose animal, even if they know it.

Children should contact a grown-up instead. Teach children not to tease or hurt dogs. Even the most tolerant dog can be pushed past his limit and retaliate. Even if the children are plainly at fault, it will be the dog that suffers. Prevention is the key.

reprinted with kind permisssion from Karen Peak
http://www.westwinddogtraining.com

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Dog Bite Prevent it or Deal with It	In The Doghouse	Dog Bite Prevention
Dealing with Dog Bites

The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.