Fear and Protection

• Entering a dog’s yard and touching his food bowl, doghouse or bed can cause a dog to become aggressive in watching over his property. A dog also may become surprised and react with fear if you brush up against him or disturb him while he sleeps. Loud noises and sudden movements can frighten dogs because they have a keen sense of hearing.

Signs

• A dog that growls and shows her teeth may be ready to attack. Stiff hair on a dog’s back, laid-back ears and a stiffened body appearance also are signs a dog is ready to bite. Sudden movements such as running, panic such as yelling and direct eye contact with the dog can provoke the attack further. According to a Dumb Friends League website article, moving slowly away while not looking directly at the dog and remaining calm is the best solution for backing away from the animal.

Pain, Illness and Excitement

• A dog that is hurt or ill may associate unwanted contact from you with the cause of his pain or discomfort. He may find the need to protect himself to get you to stop touching him.

  Another reason a dog may bite is out of playful excitement. When excited, a dog may grab at you with his mouth like he does when playing with other dogs. Setting limits is recommended when playing with an unfamiliar dog or sometimes with your own dog if you are not sure how rough the dog will become when excited.

Prevention

• A dog that exhibits aggression should not be petted, even if you are convinced the dog knows you. Other situations to avoid include petting unfamiliar dogs and coming in close contact with dogs that seem “cute,” such as a dog left in someone’s car with an open window or a dog being walked by her owner. Dogs may not know your intention when you approach. If you approach an unfamiliar dog and she bites you, you may be held liable instead of the dog’s owner, depending on the conditions that led to the bite.

Appropriate Action

• If you happen to be bitten by a dog, moving away from the dog slowly, remaining calm and cleaning the wound with soap and water immediately are recommended. Additional suggestions are to look at the dog enough to notice identifying marks such as specific collar, body markings or other identifiers; to see a doctor as soon as possible because dogs carry rabies, other serious diseases and parasites; and to make a report with the animal control office to help identify the dog and to help prevent the dog from biting someone else.