Dog Bite Statistics

Does your dog bite?

Dog bite statistics reveal that 4.7 million people (or 2% of the U.S. population) are bitten by dogs per year. Dog bite insurance typically spends around 1 billion dollars per year on dog bite claims. Surprisingly, many cases of dog bites are not reported to authorities and thus do not contribute to these statistics. Dog bites are currently the second leading cause of injury to children, who comprise a majority of the bitten population. The majority of dog bites occur with unrestrained dogs on the owner's property.

Why Dogs Bite

Does your dog bite? Irrespective of your answer you may be wondering for the reasons and therefore some of the most common explanations for dog bites include:

Excitement

Large, expressive sounds or movements may excite a dog and significantly boost its playfulness. Unfortunately, the dog may be unaware that it has bitten or harmed you if it is excited enough. Remain calm and move slowly around a dog that is easily excited or is known to engage in rough play.

Pain or Sickness

Sometimes a dog is unable to determine why it is sick. It may believe that the one who approaches it has caused harm and so it may initially react in a defensive mode and then in an aggressive manner. As far as people are concerned, dogs prefer to be left alone when injured or sick. Respect an injured or ill dog as you would treat a suffering person and the dog will return the same respect.

Protecting Property

Dogs often become aggressive when defending property of owners. Statistics show that 40% of dog owners purchased their pets for protection. Thus, many of today's pet dogs are specifically chosen to bark or attack those who come too close or appear troublesome to their home or loved ones. Be on the lookout for warnings (e.g., "beware of dog" signs) and walk away from a dog in an unrestricted area.

Fear or Surprise

Sudden, loud noises or movements may frighten a dog and make it believe that it is in danger. A dog that feels threat ene d or trapped will bite to protect itself or establish a way to escape from a frightening situation. Always make sure that the dog sees you before you talk or touch a dog. Try not to yell or move quickly around a dog that is unfamiliar or agitated or frightened.

How to Stop Dog Biting

Dog bite statistics as stated earlier reveal that many dog bites are preventable as they involve unrestrained animals. You can significantly reduce the risk of your dog biting others by following these techniques:

Spay or neuter your dog.

Your dog will be less likely to roam and fight with other dogs if you take this precautionary measure.

Train your Dog

Obedience skills are an important factor in having control over your dog's behaviors, particularly inappropriate ones such as biting.

Socialize your Dog

A well socialized dog will be more at ease around unfamiliar people or animals. It will be more likely to express comfort or happiness rather than anxiety, fear, or uneasiness. If you al low yo ur dog regular access to other canines, then you will be less likely to see your dog biting another dog.

Be Cautious

If you know or believe that your dog will react negatively to a situation, then try to avoid the situation or adjust things so that your dog feels more comfortable. For example, if your dog reacts negatively to people making deliveries or working in or around your home, then keep your dog in another room. If your dog has difficulty in entering crowds, then leave him at home or take him to a less crowded area or park. If your dog is predictably aggressive with people, then muzzle your dog in public. It may earn you some stares, but it will be a necessary step in maintaining safety for your and your pet.

Teach your Dog Appropriate Behavior

Avoid playing aggressive games such as tug of war or wrestling. Do not allow your dog to chew or bite on your hands or arms. Be sure to set limits for your pet's behavior and remain consistent with expectations and consequences. If your do g begins to engage in aggressive or otherwise dangerous behavior, you may need to consult with your veterinarian, a qualified dog trainer, or an animal behaviorist. Your local humane society and animal care and control agency could also help.

Be a Responsible Dog Owner

Obtain a license for your dog if required by state laws and make yourself aware of state and local dog bite laws. You can receive hefty fees for an inability to control your dog, but you may also find your dog confined or destroyed by authorities as a result of aggressive behavior. Provide your dog with regular veterinary care and appropriate amounts of food and exercise. Spend time with your dog as those that spend large amounts of time in isolation are more likely to become dangerous or aggressive toward others. You may want to consult a professional trainer or clinic to help in curbing your dog's biting. PetEducation.com is an online source that will assist you in determining the types of help that are available and th e ones that will best suit your needs.

Whether the consequence is dog bite insurance claims, expensive fines, or confinement or destruction of a dog, the penalties for dog biting can be painful and severe for both owner and pet. We can all do our part to encour age prevention of dog bites and make dog bite statistics reflect on caring and responsible owners.

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