Reasons Why Dogs Bite

Dog bites often occur when there is a miscommunication between the dog and the victim. Knowing why dogs bite is important in keeping you and your family safe. The source of dog aggression typically falls within one or more of the following categories.

1. Dominate Aggression.  A dominant dog is not necessarily aggressive. However, a dominant aggressive dog can intimidate, threaten, bully family members.  These dogs and be very dangerous to strangers or those he is not that familiar with. He may bark, growl, bare his teeth, snap or bite because he believes he is in charge. The dog’s behavior is very unpredictable – he may be very friendly one minute then suddenly growl or snap. Usually un-neutered males are the most prone to Dominance aggression. Experiences as a puppy influence aggressiveness as adults, but genetics also plays a key role in this problem.

2. Territorial/Overprotection Aggression.  The protectiveness some people seek when acquiring a dog often proves to be a liability. A dog’s territory may include a house, yard, car, and even the street the dog is standing on. Dogs protect their domain through acts of aggression. The dog stands tall and erect and may bark, growl, lunge or bite. Sudden moves can trigger an attack. The dog is a danger to anyone approaching/entering his space. Territory protection is most often seen in guarding/herding breeds such as rottweilers, German shepherds, and Akitas and usually it are the males of those breeds that are the most aggressive.

3. Fear Aggression.  A dog that reacts to almost any disturbance, such as ringing doorbells, outside noises, and approaching people. The response can be to bark, growl, bare teeth, or bite or a combination of any of these. As a puppy the dog may bark and back away, but at age 2 years the same dog is more likely to lunge at people.  Understandably, dogs can be fearful of unfamiliar, strange, and situations they can perceive as threatening. A dog raised in a quite home with adults will undoubtedly be anxious by when confronted with children who are noisy. The lack of socialization to a wide variety of people and situations may lead to aggressive behavior. A large percentage of bites occur from fear aggressive canines. A dog with fear aggression combined with territorial aggression is even more likely to attack.

4. Possessive Aggression.  Any dog, any age, male or female may bark, growl, bare his teeth, and snap or bite when anyone or another pet gets close, attempts to touch, or tries to take anything from the dog that he considers his, such food, toys, or anything in his possession whether it belongs to the dog or not. Possessive aggression is linked to an instinct – to protect his possessions from other litter-mates or competitors. An overly dominant dog with this instinct will behave aggressively about possessions as will a dog that is overly territorial.

5. Predatory Aggression.  This type of aggression is triggered by movement – almost any kind of motion from passing cars, bikes, motorcycles, or joggers. It is stimulated by a strong hunting and stalking instinct, present in all dogs to a greater or lesser degree. Predatory aggressive dogs typically chase and attack when the victim or objects moves away. Australian shepherds, healers, border collies and other herding dog breeds have an instinct drive to chase.

6. Maternal Aggression.  Even the friendliest, well-trained female dog with puppies will display maternal aggression if she feels that her puppies are in danger or at risk. Maternal aggression in mother dogs is instinctive and directed toward people and animals that come near her pups. She will bark, growl, bite, or do whatever it takes to protect her young. This behavior diminishes as the pups are weaned it stops once the pups are gone or on their own.

7. Redirected Aggression.  An attempt to break up a dog fight or interrupt a dog’s aggression toward a person often leads to injury. Two animals in the middle of a fight are in survival mode and adrenaline is surging. When you reach in and grab the dogs they will either see you as another aggressor or it will frighten them and reflexively they can react by turning to fight or bite you.

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At the Law Office of Mark McClure, we take the time to listen to you and find out what is going on in your life while treating you with dignity and respect.  In these hard times the last thing you need is to feel judged.  You simply need help. We understand.  Dog Bite laws are laws that protect.  They protect you and your family.

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