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Dog bite prevention week is approaching and, despite major campaigns by multiple organizations, the same factors continue to play a major role in dog bites. With the number of dogs in US homes outnumbering the number of children under 18, it is more important than ever that the public is educated about dog behavior.

FACTS

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the American Veterinary Medical Association, most dog bite victims are children.

• Most bites are by the family pet or another dog known to the victim.
  
  
• More dogs are euthanized for behavior issues, including biting, than any other cause.
  
  
• Each year, 800,000 Americans seek medical attention for dog bites; half of these are children. Of those injured, 386,000 require treatment in an emergency department and about a dozen die.
  
  
• The rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for children ages 5 to 9 years, and the rate decreases as children age.
  
  
• Injury rates in children are significantly higher for boys than for girls.

"SAFE" BREEDS

The dog pulled away from his owner and went chasing after the squirrel through the park. The squirrel, panicked, ran straight for a woman standing in the park, and the dog followed. The woman didn't see the squirrel and only saw the dog running straight for her. Later, the woman said "I was worried at first, but then I saw it was a Lab. If it was a Rottweiler, I would have been scared, but since it was a Lab, I knew I didn't have to worry about it biting me."

My friend opened her front door for the trick-or-treaters. Her two Pit Bull mixes sat behind her, wearing their Halloween headbands, enjoying all the extra attention they had received that night. Suddenly, the mother of the two children screamed, grabbed her children and ran back down the sidewalk yelling "How DARE you open the door with those Pit Bulls!"

Both of the stories above are true. Both are perfect examples of the ignorance that abounds regarding dogs and what causes them to bite.

One of the most common misconceptions in dog behavior is that breed determines aggressive behavior. In fact, almost every popular breed of dog has been involved in serious bites and human fatalities.

There is no such thing as a breed of dog that won't bite. Any dog can be provoked to bite given the right set of circumstances.

COMMON SENSE TIPS: ALMOST EVERY DOG BITE IS PREVENTABLE

• Never leave a baby or small child alone with a dog. Children can be more unpredictable than dogs and may do something in your absence that hurts or startles the dog and provokes a bite.
  
  
• When walking with your dog, avoid streets and paths where you have encountered loose dogs before. Many dog bites happen when a loose dog attacks a dog being walked on leash and the owner tries to break up the fight.
  
  
• Children should be taught not to approach dogs - not just strange dogs, but known dogs also. Again, the bite statistics show that most dog bites are by a family pet or a dog known to the victim. If a dog wishes to interact with a child, it will approach the child and will exhibit friendly, solicitous behavior.
  
  If you are not familiar with the signs of a friendly versus non-friendly dog, educate yourself before allowing your child to interact with dogs. A wagging tail does not always equal a friendly dog!
  
  
• Never disturb a dog that's caring for puppies, sleeping or eating. Ever. Period.
  
  
• If a dog approaches to sniff you, stay still and do not reach out to pet it or offer your hand for sniffing. Just because a dog is sniffing you does not mean it wishes to be touched. Just because you shake the hand of a new acquaintance does not mean you would like him to hug you.
  
  
• If you are threatened by a dog, remain calm. Don't scream. 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. Most dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviors such as barking, growling, or curling their lip will go away as long as you follow these guidelines.
  
  
• If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head and neck. Protect your face.

PROTECTING YOUR DOG FROM BITING

When your dog feels threatened, biting is his only defense. In the dog world, this is acceptable behavior. In the human world, it may be a death sentence. This means that you have to protect your dog from situations in which he is forced to make tough decisions and make the hard decisions for him, so he doesn't have to.

If your dog has exhibited aggressive behaviors around other people, do not take the behavior for granted or make excuses for your dog. Take all necessary precautions to prevent your dog from having the opportunity to bite. Some methods of prevention include:

• Crate the dog in another room during parties or when guests come over. Give your dog a new bone or other long-lasting treat so it is a good experience for him.
  
  
• Do not allow your dog to be off-leash in the front yard and make sure you have a secure fenced yard. Fences should be solid and allow little to no visual access to people walking by. Dogs that can "patrol" from fences and windows have a significantly higher chance of developing territorial aggression.
  
  
• Don't take your fearful or reactive dog to dog parks, dog festivals or any place or activity where large groups of people congregate. Well-meaning people do dumb things around dogs and the more people around your dog, the greater the chance of problems.
  
  
• If you find that people don't believe you when you say your dog is shy, fearful or not friendly, buy a wire basket muzzle and have him wear it on walks. These muzzles do not restrict your dog's ability to eat, drink or breathe, but they send those people a clear sign that your dog is not for petting!
  
  
• Don't wait until your dog has bitten to get help. At the first sign of fear or aggression towards another person, contact a qualified professional who understands that positive behavior methods, and not punishment, will change your dog's association to new people.

DOG BITES DO NOT HAVE TO BE A DEATH SENTENCE

"Once a dog tastes blood...."

Funny, no one ever finishes that sentence. But what is implied is that a dog that has tasted blood will crave it like some four-legged vampire with a tail. This is utter nonsense. A dog that has bitten is more likely to bite only if the owners do nothing to assess the cause of the bite and change the dog's behavior in that situation.

If dog owners intervene immediately and seek qualified professional help, many biting dogs can be saved, depending on the circumstances surrounding the bite and the level of the bite(s).

Any trainer or behaviorist who recommends euthanasia over the phone or internet without taking a full history of the dog, observing the dog in person and requiring a full veterinary exam is grossly negligent, no matter how long they have been in business. Most veterinarians do not receive training on behavior in school and those that do receive only the basics. A responsible veterinarian will refer owners to a qualified professional before recommending or administering euthanasia for a behavior problem.

CONCLUSION

Nearly every dog bite is preventable. Some are preventable on the part of the victim, but all are preventable on the part of the owner. The first step is to become an educated dog owner or parent. Learn about the subtle body language dogs exhibit when stressed or frightened. Teach children that no matter what breed, size or type of dog, all dogs bite if not treated with respect and kindness.

Rather than targeting specific breeds or types of dogs, let's target specific breeders and owners who contribute to the cycle of ignorance that leads to fearful, unsocialized, untrained and dangerous dogs.

Recommended Viewing/Reading

The Language of Dogs DVD, Sarah Kalnajs

Dogs Bite, But Balloons and Slippers Are More Dangerous, Janis Bradley

Fatal Dog Attacks, Karen Delise

The Pit Bull Placebo, Karen Delise

Additional Resources

How to Pet a Dog

Dog Safety Activity Book PDF

Stay Dog Bite Free

Parent Education Pamphlet

Learn to Speak Dog Video