Why Do Some Dogs Bite Humans?

It is unlikely Dogs bite humans without reason. However, it is helpful to remember that what a dog thinks is a good and justifiable reason to bite. This reason is probably not what a human thinks is an appropriate reason.

The most crucial reason a dog intentionally bites a human is to defend itself or others.

The dog bites when a dog perceives a threat from its owner or a member of its pack (which could include the owner’s family, other dogs, or other household pets).

Reasons Why Dogs Bite

Redirected Aggression

Stopping a dog fight is perhaps the most challenging trick. Imagine two dogs fighting and being able to attack when suddenly a hand reaches out and grabs them.

The apparent reaction of any dog will be to turn around and hold the breaker. The best way to break up a fight is to use forceful water blasts and loud noises.

Keep as far away from the mouth as you can if you need to put your hands on a pack of fighting dogs and move swiftly.

Game Bites

Some bites happen when you play with a dog, and the dog becomes overstimulated. Play bites are rarely severe and happen either because the dog forgot that humans don’t have fur and are a bit more sensitive or by pure accident (the dog reached for the toy and accidentally caught your hand).

The best way to avoid play bites is not to play roughly with a dog, especially one you don’t know. Watch the dog and see what it does.

For example, some dogs get excited and grab the same end of the toy as you. Which can lead to an accidental bite if you don’t get your hand out of the way quickly enough.

Startle

A dog may bite or snap when startled or suddenly awakened. People often say, “Don’t wake a sleeping dog.”

Usually, these are quick bites, and the dog won’t even know it has bitten you. Also, don’t sneak up on dogs (or other animals).

A frightened dog might bite, too. Abused dogs bite because they are scared, but it is not uncommon for them to bite when they are afraid of a situation.

For example, some dogs will bite if fireworks are set off nearby or if there is a thunderstorm.

Resource Guarding

Resource guarding is sometimes called “food aggression,” but this is not entirely accurate because it can involve resources other than food.

A dog may protect his favorite toy, his favorite spot on the couch, etc. In some cases, owner protection turns into resource protection (“That’s my lap, and you can’t have it”).

Resource protection must be approached with training; it is best to leave it alone with an unfamiliar animal.

Unfortunately, some owners find this behavior amusing and allow or even encourage it.

Hunting Or Herding Behavior

Breeds with solid prey drives may chase and bite someone (especially a strange child) who runs away from them. Herding dogs may decide to herd the children (or other dogs, you, or birds).

In herding dogs, the behavior is often triggered by boredom (herding dogs are usually brilliant and need a lot of mental stimulation).

Dog Bite From Aggression When They Are Harassed

Dogs have limits, and we don’t always respect them. Pets bite people and children who do not know how to manage their behavior.

Hugging a sleeping dog, blowing air in its face, caressing or pulling its tail, pulling its cheeks, prodding it, and other actions can result in a bite.

How To Prevent Dog Bites

The safest approach to prevent a bite is to handle your pet responsibly. While knowing the most common triggers for a dog bite can help you, the trick to not getting bitten is to observe the dog’s behavior and recognize the warning signs.

Signs of nervousness and fear include constant licking of the nose, erect ears, erect fur on the back, the dog trying to move away from your hand, tail curled between the legs, growling, and showing teeth.

Dog Bite – In Conclusion

There are far too many cases where the person who was bitten had no idea what they had done to trigger this extreme reaction from the dog.

Only after careful questioning by a person with experience and training in dog behavior does the provocation of the person bitten become clear.

A dog should not bite a person unless it has been specifically trained for law enforcement, the military, or a handful of protective sports.

Unfortunately, too many “dog lovers” have no idea about dog behavior and functional training methods. They tend to anthropomorphize dogs and treat them like little people in fur coats.

This is how dog-biting incidents occur. Depending on the dog’s personality, the result of this approach to life with a dog can range from “cute” to dangerously irresponsible.

In the cute variety, owners have a dog that can’t take its eyes off them. This is called separation anxiety.

For the dog, it becomes a problem when the owner has to leave him (for example, when he is hospitalized, moves to a care facility, or has an appointment he can’t keep, etc.).

The nasty little yappy ankle biters are on the other end of the spectrum. These little darlings think they are in charge. In some cases, they aren’t even housebroken.

Again, dogs don’t bite without reason.