Decoding Dog Behaviour: Recognizing the Warning Signs to Prevent Bites

Human Reactions to Stay Safe Around Dogs

Attention India
4 Min Read

Natural Fear of Dogs

As human nature dictates, whenever we see a dog, we often experience a sense of fear. We may not openly admit it, but this fear is always present. Just as a dog’s bite is an unexpected event, it’s not guaranteed that every dog will bite. However, it’s never certain whether a dog will bite or not because most people are not familiar with dog behaviour.

Impact of Past Incidents on Dog Behaviour

For example, if a stray dog has been beaten in the past, it may bark and attempt to bite anyone it sees out of fear. There have been numerous incidents where such behaviour is observed.

Unpredictable Dog Bites

Incidents like these are not the only reasons dogs bite. Sometimes dogs bite without any apparent reason, possibly due to instability or other factors such as illness, territorial instincts, or fear. For example, dogs in pain or suffering from an illness may bite as a reaction to discomfort. A dog with an injured leg might bite if someone accidentally touches the sore area.

Additionally, a mother dog may bite to protect her puppies. If someone tries to handle her puppies without her permission, she might respond aggressively.

Furthermore, dogs that haven’t been properly socialized with people and other animals may be more likely to bite. Overexcitement can also lead to biting; dogs can bite during play if they become overly excited and don’t know how to control their behaviour.

Recognizing Warning Signs of a Potential Bite

Now, we will tell you how to understand a dog’s behaviour, which most dogs usually exhibit before biting anyone. So, the next time you encounter a dog—just kidding—you can recognize these signals and stay away from that dog. Some signs that a dog might bite include lunging, growling, snapping, snarling, and flashing teeth.

When a dog’s sclera is visible, it indicates that the dog might bite. The sclera is the white part of the eye, and when it appears like a crescent moon in the dog’s eye, this condition is called “whale eye.”

If a dog is moving slowly away from you, it means the dog wants space and doesn’t want to be touched. If a dog runs away or moves back slowly when you approach, it shows that the dog is unlikely to engage and might bite if pressed.

While licks are generally considered positive for pets, quick licks can indicate that the dog wants to stop the interaction. If a dog freezes, it means they feel like their choices are taken away; this often happens when a dog avoids tight embraces. Another warning sign is if a dog starts to mouth during an interaction. At this point, it’s time to step away; otherwise, the dog might bite you.

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