Yes, You Can Avoid a Dog Bite!

Dog Bites: the Statistics

CDC: 4.7 million Americans are bit by a dog each year (roughly 1 dog bite for every 69 people in the USA as of 2020).
Children are the most common victims of dog bites.
1 out of 5 bites becomes infected, requiring medical care.
2018: 27,000 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to a dog bite.

“It Came out of the Blue!”

While many who are bitten by a dog claim the bite “came out of nowhere,” this is rarely true.

Dogs are always communicating through their body language about how they are feeling and their intention.

If the perceived threat is not resolved or removed, the dog’s warnings will increase with added vocalizations like growling.

K9 Body Language Before a Bite

Dogs primarily communicate through age-old body language with other dogs, people and situations. By clearly understanding how K9s communicate with their world, you will be better prepared to prevent or avoid a bite.

Signs that a dog may bite:

~ Snapping and growling - OR -

~ Cowering with a tucked tail

~ Lunging

~ Raised hackles/fur

~ Rigid body posture

~ A wagging tail that is rigid, high and fast

Proactively Prevent a Dog Bite

Avoid direct, fixed eye contact (meant to establish dominance).
Never force your attention/affection upon a dog especially one showing stress, fear or anxiety.
Always allow a dog to approach and sniff you first. Then run under the chin instead of the top of the head which can be seen as threatening.