DOG BITE: PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER
A dog’s unique characteristic is their unconditional love. They will still love you even if you hit, slap or kick them but it is important that you treat a dog well to gain the dog’s trust and respect. Dogs and puppies are naturally loving, sweet, adorable and affectionate but it is not a guarantee that the dog will not bite a person even if you are the owner because they could become aggressive.
Biting is very common when the dog is playing and while teething. The dog must learn to socialize before it reaches four months but some breeds especially those large ones are more difficult to control. Guard dogs like Rottweilers, German shepherds and Dobermans are harder to train because they were bred to be more aggressive. It is better that you train your dog as early as possible. But again, if there is no trust, there is no reason for your dog to trust you. Do not punish your dog for house soiling mistakes and accidents because it is not his fault. Let’s learn why dogs bite.
Dog bites when:
• A stranger or any member of the family takes away something from the dog i.e. food, toy
• The dog is disturb when resting
• Someone approach too quickly or closely when the dog is afraid
• Someone touch or approach especially when the dog is injured or in pain
• Someone hit, kick or slap the dog
• They have puppies. Mother dogs are very protective of their pups
Lack of socialization is one major cause why dogs bite. It is important that you let your dog or puppy play with other dogs because when they play, they bite each other and it is when they learn how to control themselves. They perfectly teach each other on proper biting etiquette. Letting them mingle with other dogs will make your dog not fearful with other dogs and will not make your puppies hyperactive and destructive in the home.
Every owner must learn to train their dogs before it reaches adulthood, when a bite could lead to serious injury. Be persistent when training a puppy, make it clear that biting is hurtful and painful to humans. Appreciate your puppy’s good behavior by giving him plenty of praise.
Make sure your puppy gets plenty of exercise and time for play every day. Have quality time with your dog by simply going for a walk. Vaccination is also important to protect your dog from diseases like distemper, rabies and hepatitis. Love your dog as much as you love yourself and be patient in training them not to bite. Remember, consistency is the key.
