“Why is my dog biting me?!” Mike wondered.
Mike’s dog, Lila, is usually a sweet, happy dog. But today, after she shied away from and growled at him with her teeth bared, he reached for her, and she bit him. Hard. He now has a bleeding hand and no clue what went wrong.
As loving as she may be, at that moment, something triggered Lila to see Mike’s actions as threatening. Lila was not a bloodthirsty beast looking to attack anything in her path. Lila was scared. First, she tried to move away, then she tried to warn Mike with a growl. Neither worked. So when his hand headed toward her, and there was no more room to get away, she did the only thing left to protect herself—she bit.
We don’t say this to excuse Lila’s behavior. Biting is not acceptable, and it is undoubtedly dangerous. But understanding why your dog is biting is essential to preventing future bites. The dog needs to be trained on the triggers that lead to biting and to react with acceptable behaviors.
Problem solved? Not yet. The humans—dog parents and the rest of the household—need to be trained to recognize and respect warning signs and ensure an atmosphere in which the dog feels secure.
Consequences of Fear Biting
Dog bites are serious business, whether it’s an out-of-control, aggressive dog or a frightened dog defending themselves.
- Liability: If your dog bites someone, you are liable for the cost of injury and/or property damage. Currently, 36 states have strict liability laws addressing dog bites. Depending on local laws, once the bite is reported, the dog may be placed in quarantine.
- Unadoptable: A shelter will not put a dog up for adoption if they are a known biter. They do not have the time or staff to provide extensive training. Some unadoptable dogs are euthanized.
- Loss of Enjoyment: It’s not a great idea to have your dog around people or other dogs when there’s a chance they will bite if someone unintentionally makes a wrong move.
What Causes Fear Biting in Dogs?
The Instinctual Defense Drive
We group dogs’ instinctual behaviors into three categories:
- Prey Drive: hunting, killing, and eating prey;
- Pack Drive: living in groups and reproducing;
- Defense Drive: responding to danger through fight or flight.
Humans and animals alike have an instinct to react to perceived danger by either getting away from it (flight) or staying and fighting it off (fight). Dogs have varying levels of this Defense Drive, such that some are more likely to fight, while others are more prone to fleeing. But they are all capable of both.
The danger your dog perceives may be real—they are being attacked by a dog or human, for example. Often, though, the danger is in their mind. The situation they find themselves in is similar to a past, genuine danger, and they are compelled to defend themselves.
A fearful dog does not want to attack and bite. Instead, they want to get away to a safe place. If that option is not possible, they will escalate to a warning and a bite as a last resort.
Triggers
Fear biting can be triggered by anything that scares your dog, such as:
- Unfamiliar people, dogs, or settings;
- Someone who looks, sounds, or smells like another person who mistreated them in the past;
- Loud sounds like thunder or fireworks;
- Objects with which they were hurt or threatened in the past;
- Sudden moves near them;
- Being ill or injured, and therefore vulnerable;
The Humans’ Role
- Pack Leader: If a pet parent has not established themselves as the pack leader, their dog might take on a leadership role that’s not meant for them. They may bite to protect their people.
- Ignoring the Warnings: People, especially children, may miss warnings their dogs give, such as growling and baring teeth. They continue whatever is scaring the dog and end up bitten.
What if Your Dog Bites You or a Family Member?
When a dog bites their family member, it needs to be dealt with immediately. You do not want the dog to learn that this is how to handle their discomfort. And you certainly don’t want your family, especially children, to be afraid of your dog.
First, get the dog to a safe space, like their crate, then take care of the wound. A bite creates deep punctures and tears that will quickly become infected. Clean it, dress it, and get medical treatment as soon as possible.
Then, you need to invest substantial time, and probably some money, in training right away.
Changing Fear-Biting Behavior
Taking Immediate Action
Because biting is such a serious issue, this may not be training you can handle safely on your own. If you or someone in your home has already been bitten, you may understandably feel some fear and anxiety of your own, which the dog will sense.
We recommend hiring a professional trainer. They know how to zero in on the causes, and they have the techniques to stop the biting.
What You Can Do
The most important thing you and your family can do is understand what triggers fear in your dog and recognize warning signs that the dog may bite—growling, cringing away, baring teeth.
Before they’re fully trained, avoid triggering situations. A fearful dog is most comfortable when they are in familiar surroundings and know what to expect. You can explore new people and places later after training is done.
Learn from the trainer. Understand what your dog is learning and how to maintain the new behavior.
Dog Biting Training
Formal training involves learning alternative reactions to current fear triggers through techniques such as desensitization and counterconditioning. Desensitization progressively decreases sensitivity to that trigger by gradually intensifying exposure to the trigger until it no longer incites fear. Counterconditioning associates something positive with the trigger, gradually reducing the fear connection.
A Parting Reminder
Many dogs bite because they are scared. The good news is that most fear biters can be trained to let go of their fears and learn new, more acceptable ways of reacting. In addition, pet parents and their families can learn to understand their dog’s motivations and create an environment where the dog feels confident and safe.
You can get your sweet, happy dog back!