Has Your Dog Tried to Bite You? Find Out Why
A dog owner might never expect his/her pet to ever lose control and bite him/her. You most likely have seen dogs get angry at other dogs or even with humans. However, you would never imagine getting bit from your own dog. Has your dog tried to bite you? Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be such a big deal.
This article provides information on the potential causes of this problem and possible solutions for it. However, even if there is a solution, this behavior shouldn’t be ignored. You must act quickly and take charge of the situation.
Why would your dog want to bite you?
Dogs and humans have lived together for many years. However, canines have adapted to the norms of human society. This proves that dogs are not aggressive. The fact that your pet has wanted to bite you doesn’t mean that it was part of his nature and there is nothing you could do about it.
Even though, dogs were able to adapt well to human norms and behaviors — their instincts, upbringing and including everything passed down by their ancestors — cannot be taken away from their personality. Despite that, some behaviors can be controlled.
A sense of belonging
On the other hand, keep in mind that dogs have sense of belonging to a pack. Before dogs were domesticated, just like wolves, they lived in packs and had a leader. Although dogs still submit easily to a leader, if they get the impression that the leader isn’t carrying out his role, they will start fighting to become the alpha dog.
Therefore, when it comes to domestic dogs, you have to be the alpha. If the animal gets the impression you are not fit for the role, he will want to take over. How does he do it? Through fights which involve biting.
How do you unknowingly give the impression that you are not a good leader? Perhaps you’re too lenient with your dog. If he believes he can get away with anything, then you will lose your authority over him. He’ll become the new alpha dog.
What to do if your dog tries to bite you
As mentioned above, if your dog tries to bite you, it is due to a lack of authority. To prevent this from happening, or to prevent it from happening again, you will have to set rules and enforce them.
The dog must understand that you are the boss of the house and he has to do what you say. It is also important for other family members to be aware of any rules involving curfews, meals, games and behavior. For example, some rules must be set specifically for the dog, such as where he is allowed to sit, rooms he can enter or anything you consider necessary for your household.
On the other hand, if your adult dog has been acting aggressively, it may be due to a lack of socialization. Even though your adult dog should have socialized with others ever since he was a puppy, it doesn’t mean he cannot start improving his socialization skills as an adult. You can find many socialization tips on this blog. At the same time, you may seek advice from a veterinarian, dog trainer or animal psychologist.
It is important not to make any excuses for your dog’s behavior. From the first time your dog tries to bite you, you must immediately take charge of the situation and prevent it from happening again.
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.