Nearly 90 million nice dogs… but any dog can bite
Dog bites pose a serious health risk to our communities and society. More than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States, and more than 800,000 receive medical attention for dog bites, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At least half of those bitten are children. Here are more dog bite facts:
- Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.
- Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
- Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.
Read More: National Dog Bite Prevention Week
Any dog can bite: big or small, male or female, young or old. Even the cuddliest, fuzziest, sweetest pet can bite if provoked. Remember, it is not a dog’s breed that determines whether it will bite, but rather the dog’s individual history and behavior.
Most dog bites are preventable, and there are many things you can do at home and within your community to help prevent them.
Why do dogs bite?
Dogs bite for a variety of reasons, but most commonly as a reaction to something. If the dog finds itself in a stressful situation, it may bite to defend itself or its territory. Dogs can bite because they are scared or have been startled. They can bite because they feel threatened. They can bite to protect something that is valuable to them, like their puppies, their food or a toy.
Dogs might bite because they aren’t feeling well. They could be sick or sore due to injury or illness and might want to be left alone. Dogs also might nip and bite during play. Even though nipping during play might be fun for the dog, it can be dangerous for people. It’s a good idea to avoid wrestling or playing tug-of-war with your dog. These types of activities can make your dog overly excited, which may lead to a nip or a bite.
National Dog Bite Prevention Week®: April 9–15, 2023
National Dog Bite Prevention Week® takes place during the second full week of April each year, and focuses on educating people about preventing dog bites. Read up on dog bite prevention tips, and use the #PreventDogBites hashtag to share dog bite prevention information from April 9–15!
National Dog Bite Prevention Week® is a project of the National Dog Bite Prevention Week® Coalition.
More Dog Bite Resources
You can take steps to prevent dog bites. Plan for success by educating yourself and your children, providing adequate supervision, providing opportunities for your puppy to become socialized, and removing your dog from escalating situations.
PROTECTING CHILDREN
- Educate yourself and any children in your life about how to have a good interaction with a dog. Teach them to respect animals, and to understand that the dog needs time alone sometimes. They should know that it’s not okay to run up to a dog, even if that dog is on a leash and with its owner; let them know to approach dogs calmly. They should also understand what to do if confronted by an aggressive dog, how to tell when a dog wants to play and when it doesn’t want to play, and to ask a dog’s owner for permission to pet it. The owner should always be there, and in outdoor settings the dog should be on a leash — this is the only time it’s safe to pet an unknown or semi-familiar dog. Children should also be taught never to approach a strange dog.
- Break your house into zones if you have young children. You should be able to keep the dog in one area and the child in another when you are out of sight or busy, and get your child used to that arrangement from a young age. Allow your children to interact with your dog regularly, but only with supervision and attention to keeping the interactions positive. Baby gates provide simple means of zoning your home. By using a baby gate to separate the dog from a child, the dog can still see and hear what’s happening; isolating your dog completely from daily activities can cause risky behaviors and should be avoided. There’s a difference between zoning and imprisonment: with proper zoning, the dog is calm, cooperative, and indirectly involved in certain activities.
- By teaching your dog to respect the gate and the zones, (s)he will understand that (s)he won’t be trapped behind the gate for a long time and will be able to interact directly with your family when it’s appropriate. You should start to use zoning when your dog is a puppy as method of managing his/her behavior, not just physically controlling it.
- Keep young children and the dog separated unless there is constant adult supervision. If you leave the room even for a short time, the dog and child should be separated. Leaving a baby or toddler alone in the room with a dog just for a minute can lead to tragic results. Also be alert for any signs of aggression from the dog toward the child, or of any situations that could have the potential to escalate (such as a child taking a dog’s toy or food, for example). If your dog seems to be exhibiting fear or aggression that is inappropriate or difficult to understand, seek help from a veterinary behaviorist to resolve the problem. It may be that the dog perceives the situation very differently from you, and a few simple changes will put him or her at ease again.
SETTING YOUR DOG UP FOR SUCCESS
- Socialize your dog as a puppy. By introducing your puppy to people and other animals, you help it become more comfortable in different situations as it gets older.
- Be with your dog when he or she interacts with unfamiliar people, and don’t force people to interact with your dog if they appear reluctant, uninterested or afraid. An interaction can easily and quickly change from play to aggression, especially with kids. However, children should interact with animals — and they should be taught the difference between having a good interaction and a bad one.
- Remove your dog from the situation whenever they seem to be anxious or agitated, or is behaving in an inappropriate manner. Put your dog somewhere safe and quiet. By doing this, you’re not actually punishing the dog. You’re interrupting behaviors you don’t like, and that gives you time to change the situation before bad behaviors become habits.
- Provide your dog with a secure resting space and supervision in risky situations. Your dog is part of your family and wants to be part of family life. But sometimes it’s difficult for us to fully understand how a dog sees the world.
When you’re teaching children about dog bite prevention and how to be safe around dogs, keep it simple. Discuss animals, how we relate to them, and the role of animals in your family, not just how to avoid being bitten. If you have younger children, always supervise them around dogs and be mindful of how the child interacts with the dog so they learn to be gentle from the beginning.
AVOIDING INCIDENTS WITH STRANGE DOGS
- Stay away from dogs you don’t know. If you or your child sees an unknown dog wandering around loose and unsupervised, avoid the dog and consider leaving the area. Consider alerting animal control.
- Don’t ever pet a dog without asking first. Both adults and children should always ask the owner for permission to pet their dog, even if it’s a dog you know, or that has seemed friendly toward you before.
- Quietly walk away. When confronted by an aggressive dog, slow movements are best.
- Be a tree. Stand still if a dog comes after you, then take a defensive position. Stand quietly, with hands low and clasped in front. Remain still and keep your head down as if looking at your feet. If knocked down, cover your head and neck with your arms and curl into a ball.
- Avoid escalating the situation by yelling, running, hitting or making sudden movements toward the dog.
AVOIDING INCIDENTS AT HOME
- Never tease dogs by taking their toys, food, or treats, or by pretending to hit or kick.
- Never pull a dog’s ears or tail, and don’t drag, climb on, or try to ride dogs
- Don’t try to play dress up with the dog. Some dogs won’t like it.
- Leave dogs alone when they’re eating or sleeping.
- If a dog goes to bed or to their crate, don’t bother them. The bed or crate is the dog’s space to be left alone. A dog needs a comfortable, safe place where the child never goes. If you’re using a crate, it should be covered with a blanket and be near a family area, such as in your living room or another area of your home where the family frequently spends time. Note: don’t isolate your dog or their crate, or you may accidentally encourage bad behavior.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
It’s important to educate children at a level they can understand. Don’t expect young children to be able to accurately read a dogs’ body language. Instead, focus on gentle behavior and that dogs have likes and dislikes and help them develop understanding of dog behavior as they grow older.
- As a parent, report stray dogs or dogs that frequently get loose in your neighborhood.
- Keep dogs away from infants and young children unless there is direct and constant supervision.
- Teach children that the dog has to want to play with them and when the dog leaves, he leaves — he’ll return for more play if he feels like it. This is a simple way to allow kids to be able to tell when a dog wants to play and when he doesn’t.
- Don’t give kids too much responsibility for pets too early – they just may not be ready. Always supervise and check on pet care responsibilities given to children to ensure they are carried out
- Remember: if you get your kids a pet, you’re getting yourself a pet, too.
You never know when you might encounter a risky situation with a dog, regardless whether that dog is known or unknown to you. It’s important to know how to avoid escalating risky situations and to understand when you should and should not interact with dogs.
Like most accidents, dog bites tend to happen in the home or neighborhood. One common mistake people make is they believe that dogs they’ve seen or interacted with before will always interact with them in the same way, and that simply isn’t true. Any number of things could cause a dog to act out, even if there haven’t been any prior problems with that dog.
You can reduce the risk of dog bite injuries, and the most important thing is to never think any dog is completely safe. In a situation where a dog is acting fearful or aggressive, don’t provoke the dog. Disengage and move away when any dog behaves aggressively. Don’t make any sudden movements or loud or high-pitched sounds because these may activate the dog’s predator instinct and escalate its behavior. Move away slowly, confidently, and calmly, and break eye contact with the dog.
You can reduce the risk of dog bite injuries, and the most important thing is to never think any dog is completely safe. In a situation where a dog is acting fearful or aggressive, don’t provoke the dog. Disengage and move away when any dog behaves aggressively. Don’t make any sudden movements or loud or high-pitched sounds because these may activate the dog’s predator instinct and escalate its behavior. Move away slowly, confidently, and calmly, and break eye contact with the dog.
When you go to someone’s house or to the park, it’s easy to make mistakes and not recognize risk or the signs of a growing problem. People assume all dogs are nice, or assume because a dog is friendly with someone else, it is safe for them to approach and touch. Also, just because you’ve had a positive interaction with a dog before doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to happen that way again. Remain alert to risks in dogs, even those you think you know.
Aside from being smart about interacting with dogs you think you know, you also should avoid long interactions with dogs that aren’t completely familiar to you and be careful about approaching them. Be mindful of your surroundings, the dog’s behavior, and anything that might make the dog feel threatened, challenged or cornered. Be aware that signs like a yellow ribbon or orange bandana may indicate a dog that should not be approached. Even if you think a dog will tolerate something — like petting, for example — don’t do it without asking the owner for permission first. For example, a dog might appear normal but have a painful health condition that could cause the dog to fear being touched or cause it to bite if touched in certain areas.
The more uncomfortable you make a dog, the closer you get to the risk zone. The easiest way to avoid this is not to startle or bother the dog. When meeting a dog, offer the back of your hand and see wither it is comfortable approaching and sniffing. Interactions initiated by the dog are safer because the dog is coming to you and wants to interact, but these situations are not completely free of risk depending on the mood and intent of the dog; so be guided by the owner, who knows the dog best. Take an ambivalent response by the owner as a “no” as some owners may be reluctant to admit their dog can be aggressive. Always make sure to ask if it’s all right for you to play with the dog. And even if the dog initiates the contact, avoid doing things that may trigger predatory instincts or aggression, such as prolonged eye contact, quick or jerky movements, and high-pitched or loud sounds. Remain mindful and disengage if the dog or owner seems to become uncomfortable with the situation.
Sometimes in a park or on the street, you could be confronted with a dog that’s off-leash. Move away calmly and slowly if you encounter a dog that is not on a leash. If the dog is displaying aggressive behaviors, contact authorities immediately and report the dog’s location and appearance. Avoid engaging with the dog, and caution others (particularly children) to remain calm and avoid engaging with the dog.
If you’re a dog owner, buy a leash that is sturdy and easy to see. Teach your dog to sit quietly when patted, or politely refuse requests if your dog is uncomfortable with or does not behave appropriately when being petted by strangers. Take responsibility for keeping your dog from approaching people unless they invite the interaction. Whenever possible avoid making pedestrians walk through an area where you dog could easily approach them due to a long or lax leash. You may know your dog is good natured, but they do not and could be made to feel uncomfortable about having dogs around them in the community. For this reason it may be wise to not use retractable leashes in busy areas as irresponsible use has made some people uncomfortable around dogs that may or may not be fully under control. It’s your responsibility to prevent dog bites, too, and to show people that dog owners in their neighborhood are considerate and responsible.
The important thing to remember is that any dog can be dangerous and any dog can bite. Use proper judgment, ask permission before touching or playing with a dog, and make confident, slow movements. Being smart about your interactions with dogs can help prevent bites and can make a positive experience for both you and the dog.
We all know that dogs can’t talk to us, so they use their own vocalizations, body gestures and postures to express themselves. They rely on these types of communication to let people and other dogs know their emotions, especially if they feel stressed, frightened or threatened. They hope that the gestures will work to calm the situation and keep them out of trouble.
We can’t always read a dog’s body language accurately. Dogs, just like people, have their own, unique personalities, and they don’t all express themselves in the same way. One dog wagging its tail might mean that the animal is happy to see you or wants to play. The same gesture in another dog might mean that it’s anxious or nervous.
Sometimes, dogs will yawn, put their ears back or raise a paw if they are feeling worried. As the dog gets more concerned about the situation it’s in, its behavior will change. For example, if a dog tucks its tail under its belly or leg, lies down with a leg up or stiffens its body and stares at you, it could be trying to tell you that it’s frightened or threatened. When the dog reacts by growling, snapping or biting, it’s telling you that it wants to be left alone – Right now!
Remember, we can’t predict whether a dog will bite or not based on its size and breed. Always focus on the behavior of the animal.
Ask yourself a question next time you’re around a dog and want to play with it: Does the dog seem like it wants to be with you? If the dog is relaxed and friendly, and seems happy to see you, it’s probably in a good, playful mood and will welcome your attention. If the dog won’t look at you or is avoiding you by walking or turning away, it’s probably best to let it go on its way and leave it alone. If it seems tense and nervous, or seems to be staring at you, you’ll want to stay away.
If it’s not your dog, always rely on its owner to help you understand the pet’s mood. Always, always ask the owner’s permission before you attempt to pet a dog you don’t know.
WHAT DO I DO IF I’M BITTEN?
If the dog’s owner is present, request proof of rabies vaccination, and get the owner’s name and contact information.
Clean the bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.
Consult your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if it’s after office hours.
Contact the dog’s veterinarian to check vaccination records.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY DOG BITES SOMEONE?
Restrain your dog immediately.
Separate your dog from the scene of the bite.
Try to confine your dog in a safe place.
Check on the bite victim’s condition.
Make sure that the wounds are washed with soap and water.
Encourage the bite victim to seek professional medical advice to check on the seriousness of the wound and the risk of rabies or other infections.
Call 911 if a response by paramedics is needed.
Provide important information.
Give the bite victim – or others who are with the person at the time of the incident – your name, address and phone number, as well as information about your dog’s most recent rabies vaccination.
Obey local rules and laws regarding reporting of dog bites.
Talk to your veterinarian for advice about dog behavior that will help prevent similar incidents in the future.
