Dog Bite Awareness Week - 3rd Week of May

Every May the 3rd Week is designated "Dog Bite Awareness Week". The Centers for Disease Control estimate that there are nearly 5 million dog bites each year, 800,000 requiring medical attention. Every day reports of dog attacks find owners saying; "he's such a sweet dog", "we've never had any problems before", or "we can't believe this". There are many resources on the Internet that focus on ways people can protect themselves from unfriendly dogs, but dogs that bite or attack usually provide “warning signs” long before that first incident. To address dog aggression at a preventive level, owners need to understand and look for these “warning signs” in their own pets.

Here are some common items that suggest an aggression problem may be brewing:

• Food or Toy Possessiveness - Dogs that growl or snap at people while eating or playing with toys are likely to graduate to biting and other problems. Isolating the dog during mealtime or ignoring such problems is not a solution, and usually makes matters much worse.
• Dogs that Don't Listen to Their Owners – These dogs generally lack respect for their owners, are poorly controlled, and may make poor decisions that result in injuries.
• Play biting - Common in puppies, this should be corrected early. Dogs over 3-4 months old that continue this behavior don't understand that placing teeth on people is wrong.
• Fears or Phobias – Anxiety can result in a dog that bites out of fear. Many fears can be resolved or minimized, reducing the likelihood of a bite.
• Dogs that Don't Like People or Other Animals - These dogs may suffer from a variety of issues, but they can all lead to bites or aggression.
• Previous Bite History - Any dog that has bitten once is more likely to repeat the act. Subsequent bites often increase in severity, so any bite should be cause for concern.
• Dogs that are Controlling or Dominating - Frequently dogs like this may growl, nip or even challenge owners. They require firm and experienced direction or things can get out of hand very quickly.
• Prey Kills - Many owners think nothing of a dog that kills a squirrel or rabbit. But these kills can increase a dog's prey drive, and frequently precede attacks on larger animals including people.
• Dogs that Enjoy Roaming – Whether allowed or by accident, when dogs roam (especially with other dogs), they can quickly develop high prey drives. This behavior is a common theme in many news accounts of attacks on children and the elderly.

You'll notice that none of these warning signs are specific to any breed!

While this list is not all inclusive, it describes some trends that should raise suspicion of a potential problem. If your own dog has displayed any of these behaviors, assistance from a canine professional can reduce the chances of more serious trouble down the line. Dealing early with any problem behaviors can help you enjoy your dog's company and live a good life together.