The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that about 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with about 20 percent of them -- around 855,000 people -- requiring medical attention. Many communities are passing dangerous dog laws, some of which condemn a dog based on its looks rather than its actions. While all dogs are capable of biting in certain circumstances, some dogs are more likely to bite than others.
Dogs that are not trained are more likely to bite than well-trained dogs. Resource guarding, for example, when a dog feels possessive of a toy or bone, can be a problem in untrained dogs and can lead to a bite if you try to take away the resource they are guarding.
Unsocialized dogs may be timid or fearful, or may perceive strangers and new places as threatening. Either situation may cause a dog to bite, especially if someone makes a quick movement or gets too close.
In extremely stressful situations dogs, like humans, experience a fight or flight response. When a dog is trapped -- either on a leash, in a crate, or backed into a corner -- its flight option is removed, and the only option left is to fight.
Dogs can get overexcited when playing -- or if there's a squirrel outside the window -- and may accidentally bite you if you grab them too quickly, or get your hands too close to their mouths when paying with a toy.
A dog that is in pain may inadvertently bite you when you're trying to help it. This is a reflex action, much like your leg kicking when your knee is tapped with a small hammer.
Training and socializing your puppy will go a long way toward preventing your dog from biting someone. Teaching bite inhibition will minimize the damage your dog causes if it does feel compelled to bite.
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