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Dog Bite + Reasons Why Dogs Attack

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I got attacked by a medium sized Terrier Mix on Saturday resulting in a trip to the hospital. I groom dogs for a living and have worked in the animal field most of my adult life, I am also a dog trainer. Sometimes we get bitten. Luckily this one did not break the bone or cause any major damage. He bit me in between the wrist and elbow, and I know what I did wrong. Part of the problem was that I didn’t check the dog in myself. Usually you can read dogs really well during this point and can tell if they’re frightened, or have aggression problems.  I approached the kennel and opened the door. I noticed he was cowering in the corner, I ignored his clear body signals and approached anyway and got attacked. What did I do wrong? How could I have prevented such an attack? Read below for some interesting information and posts.

There is usually a good reason dogs result in biting a human. After all they are mans best friend right? But does he think the way we do? No.

We’ve all heard:

“My dog would never bite”

“It came out of the blue and attacked me”

“We didn’t see it coming, he didn’t give any warning”

“It was totally out of character, my dog is not like that”

Dogs do not think like we do.

I found this wonderful article written by Ryan O’Meara on Feb. 9, 2017. The Anatomy of a Dog Attack

Here is part of the article.

The story begins, with John. He has no wife and children, and for the last 5 years has lived with his best friend a Labrador Retriever named Max. John is excited today because his long time friend from school is visiting today. John decides to work in the garden as he waits for his friend. Max is helping by digging yet more holes in the yard.

John spies his friend coming up the road, and yells, “Hi Henry. Fancy a beer?” Henry yells back, “Sounds just the job, how about this heat?

Max has stopped digging and is watching the exchange and has taken a trip to the gate. Max is thinking – I wonder who this is? Why are they shouting? Henry must be a threat. John obviously wants me to keep an eye out on this stranger that is shouting at John. Max hoists his tail in the air letting John know he is on alert.

Henry is still approaching he must be really brave and he is wearing sunglasses that look like wide staring eyes and is still coming toward the anxious Labrador. Max wonders what his next move since Henry is showing all signs of refusing to listen to Max’s advice.

Now tense and feeling threatened, Max is offered an escape. John jogs inside to fetch a few beers, Max is only to pleased to follow his master. Just then he notices John has forgot to shut the door. At the same time Max hears the gate open, He is still coming! Gathering up his courage thinking he might kill me, but he will never get John. Thinking John has warned you, I have warned you and you keep coming.  Max lunges towards Henry, too late John yells no stop in a panic stricken voice. Acutely tuned to his owner’s emotions and sensing the fear and alarm in John’s voice launches himself into a full attack.

We all know that Henry was no threat to John, but this is what Max saw.

1. Max spots a man walking up to his territory.

2. Max didn’t pay attention to the walker until Henry yelled, and John yelled back. A clear sign of      danger.

3. Max went to the front gate to watch for danger.

4. He signaled by lifting tail high into the air. Telling Henry he was prepared to defend his territory.

5. As Henry gets closer, max again postures and spots Henry’s aggressive behavior, his eyes refusing to avert their gaze.

6. As John refuses runs inside, Max’s thoughts turn to escape like his master, seeking refuge in the house.

7. Too late as Henry enters, and John yells again, he is left no choice but to attack.

There are several different reasons why dogs attack.

1. Dominance Aggression

2. Defensive or Fear Aggression

3. Protective or Territorial Aggression

4. Predatory Aggression

5. Pain inflicted Aggression

6. Punishment inflicted Aggression

7. Redirected Aggression

I got attacked because I ignored the signs of Fear Aggression.

There is also a great article on Cesar Millan’s Website written by Jon Bastain that touches on some ways to prevent an attack.

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Written by Kim_Johnson

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  4. I’ve had good fortune around dogs, possibly because I try to be empathetic to most creatures (one reason I’ve been rehabilitating wildlife for over 50 years). What most people don’t know, though, is that even if they spend a lot of time out in the woods, they are about 100 times more likely to get bitten by a rabid dog than a rabid wild animal and about 700 times more likely to get bit by a non-rabid dog than a wild animal. Yet it is usually the wild animal that gets the bum rap.

    • The biggest thing when approaching a dog you don’t know, or when a dog approaches you is to not stare into the eyes. This means you want to fight. While a quick glance into the eyes, then lower your eyes to the ground, means you respect them, and would not like an altercation. Also a quick look into the eyes and a nod, means what it does to us. Whassup? It is a friendly greeting. You can also yawn, this means i wish you no harm.

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