How to Prevent Dog Bites

Biting is the most serious behavior problem exhibited by dogs. By properly diagnosing the cause of your dog's aggressiveness, you'll be able to work toward containing it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basket Muzzles
• Dog Body Harnesses
• Dog Bones
• Dog Collars
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Training Leashes/collars
• Dog Treats
• Restraining Harnesses For Dogs

1. Recognize the type of aggression - fear-related, possessive, dominant, intraspecific (dog to dog), predatory (dog to cats, sheep or infants), punishment or pain elicited, protective or territorial.

2. Consult an authority, ideally a veterinary behaviorist from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

3. Avoid situations that elicit aggressive behavior - for instance, a park with unleashed dogs - if your dog exhibits intraspecific aggressive behavior.

4. Teach obedience commands using positive reinforcement methods.

5. Fit your dog with a head halter while training, a humane way to treat and control your dog. Use this option only on a temporary basis.

6. Fit your dog with a basket muzzle if restraint is necessary for extended periods (more than 3 to 5 minutes).

7. Consider obedience training, a helpful technique for behavior modification. Such training, however, won't eliminate a dog's aggressiveness.

Tips & Warnings

• Head halters must be fitted by an experienced dog handler. They are different from muzzles and will not prevent all biting.
• Basket muzzles are the only type of head halter that allows a dog to drink water, receive treats and pant, which is how dogs mainly perspire; restricting panting can hurt your dog significantly.
• In extreme situations, euthanasia may be warranted for certain dogs with unmanageable aggressive tendencies. Don't risk the safety of those around you.
• Never leave any dog alone with young children or infants.
• Avoid using aggressive punishment to treat aggression. This only exacerbates an already unstable situation.

[GreenMomma]

on 6/5/2009 I think these tips are really good. There's nothing worse than a dog owner who wont properly train their dog not to bite.

[simonc1000]

on 5/14/2007 I was bitten by a dog in 2004, the dog had a history of agressive behaviour and people said it was only a matter of time before something happened.

I ended up going to a solicitor who specialises in
claims for dog attacks and they won my £6250.

They have a couple of good dog bite articles on their site that I found useful, http://www.pintopotts.co.uk/articles-dog-cat-bites.html

The only downside was that the dog was put down and I fell out with my 'friends' who owned it. They were annoyed that I took legal action, even though they had insurance!

I felt they should have taken more responsibility for the way the treated the animal, as this played a large part in the way it behaved.

[mbtiger233]

on 1/20/2007 how do i get my 6 week schnauzer to stop bitting and nawing on me

on 8/8/2006 Head halters do nothing to stop biting. They were not meant for that. Your dog should be trained before it ever has the chance (or even the thought) to bite. If it has previously bitten, determine why. Was it provoked, scared, or just defending territory? Then try to keep it out of that situation. There is no excuse for a dog who bites. And any breed can, yorkies just don't do the same damage as pit bulls. But they sure try.

on 11/22/2005 It used to be that a dog would have "one free bite" - meaning a dog was not considered dangerous if it had not bitten previously. This is not the case in most jurisdictions any longer. You are legally responsible for any of your dog's aggressive behavior.