http://www.care2.com/greenliving/why-dogs-bite.html
Why Dogs Bite
Dog bites are scary, no two ways about it. Big sharp teeth, bared gums, that rumbling dog growl–it’s ironic how man’s best friend can occasionally become so quickly sinister. But there are reasons that dogs bite, a study published in the journal Injury Prevention shows that territorial behavior, anxiety and other medical issues lead dogs to bite (the study focused on dogs that had bitten children).
In the study researchers examined 111 cases of dog bites by 103 dogs (41 different breeds) and found several patterns that related to the dogs’ territorial behaviors, and suggested that these were the main causes of aggression in dogs:
• Young children (under 6 years) were more likely to be bitten when a dog felt the kids were threatening to take the dogs’ food or toys.
• Older children were bitten when the dog felt the kids were encroaching on its territory.
• Children familiar to the dog were more likely to be bitten while the dog was guarding its food.
• Unfamiliar children were more likely to be bitten while the dog was protecting its territory.
Seventy-five percent of the biting dogs studied exhibited anxiety, either by being left by their owners or being exposed to loud noise, such as a thunderstorm or fireworks. Young children in particular tend to be noisy and make unpredictable movements, which could frighten an already anxious dog and cause them to bite the child, the researchers said.
Half of the dogs also had medical conditions, such as eye problems, liver and kidney disease, and diseases that affected their bones and skin. Study leader Illana Reisner of the University of Pennsylvania and her colleagues suggest that pain from these conditions could have pushed the dogs over the edge, causing them to bite.
Next: How to avoid a dog bite.
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50 comments
add your comment »What people forget is dog are animals, not human. They act in a pack, family. They will defend their family, territory as it's their nature. People who treat their dogs like people are setting them up for problems as you can see if you ever watch the Dog Whisper. Great show for getting insites to the canine. People who leave children with dogs alone are asking for trouble. A dog defends itself with a nip or bite. It's their nature. No hands. Even a family dog, unless it accepts the child as part of the pack and sees itself at the bottom of the pack cannot be trusted with kids. It's all understanding the animal. Nipping is not good whether it's a teacup dog or mastiff. My dog was from a pound. I knew, because I'm aware of dogs, that she would be confused in a new house. Had to accept a new leader. She is my protector and didn't except my husband when first dating. She was #2 as far as she knew and he was bottom. This had to be fixed and was with time and patience. Still today, men she is wary about (smart), but doesn't air bite after them anymore. Children, I would never leave alone with her as they want to hug a big dog. A dog takes that as a threat. You can't own a dog, horse, cow, or what ever successfully without understanding that animal. Here's something to try to find your real friend, lock your boyfriend or husband in the trunk of your car with your dog. After an hour open it up and who is happy to see you? LOL
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You rased some very good points, Lisa Bee, and I want to congratulate you on the patience and love you have for your dog!
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For the most part the problem is studies like this are ineffectual. I have watched people at the Humane Society "test" dogs for adoptability. It is a BAD way to test. Dogs reactive differently in the Kennel setting then they do when in your home. Jack is a very good dog, but he is a ONE person sort. In the Kennel setting no one person really dealt with him and he was frightened and well behaved. When we brought him home? He attached to me. Shortly after we got him he became real protective over me. I tried taking him out to socialize him. But when a man stood up he would go into protective mode and bite. Fortunately it was a very understanding man. Jack literally jumped into the air to bite him on the bum! Sounds funny but it wasn't and that was the last time I took him to be social. He didn't enjoy it anyway, he was nervous and wanted to protect me. At home he is fine with family. He has bit a few times. I always discourage this and he gets a swat for it. It doesn't matter. He is determined to protect me. A dog's love for their owner is their basis of protection. We have another dog who loves everyone, and yet when I got mad at a door to door salesman and yelled him, so did Diego. LOL Barked just as ferociously as I have seen any dog. Yet that dog has never bitten or ever growled at anyone. Animals have their own ideas of what is what. You cannot change it, just try to dog proof your life. Studies are ineffectual because of the settings they are done in.
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I would hope people are at least polite when posting a different opinion. We all do think differently and are in agreement at times. Sometimes I feel like some of my posts have been left out, but that's okay. There are so many comments at times. Getting along is good, especially on care 2.
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Daniel, how can you say that??!! People like you infuriate me--you shouldn't be allowed to even walk down the streets because everytime a dog passes by you start thinking 'oh what a waste of space I'd kick it'. ????? It's so heartbreaking that humans don't realize dogs deserve so much respect and utmost care from us since they provide us with unconditional love, something no other human being can and trust me on that one. No, you Daniel know that for a fact and if you deny it then how pitiful.
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I am always amazed at the amount of animosity that posters show to one another in some of these threads.
I believed that Care2 was an instrument to bring people together over common causes....not so. This isn't the first subject thread that I've posted in where some of the posters are going at one another's throats.
This makes me sad.
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And for my part, Jane Q, I will remember that you are interested in no one's thoughts but your own.
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Andrea C. When I need your advice on how to read an article,and how to reply to it...I will ask for it.
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Kabin
Konteyner
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Dogs, like humans, they have feelings too. When provoked, they retailate. If you do not want to get bitten, NEVER provoke a dog.
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