Dogs are known for being loyal, loving companions; there’s a reason they are known as man’s best friend.
So when dogs or other domestic animals attack people, it can be very alarming and frightening, especially if the dog is usually known to be friendly.
There are several factors that can cause a dog to lash out and attack.
Fear and Anxiety
According to the BBC, some of the most common reasons dogs bite people are fear and stress.
Being around large groups of unfamiliar people, for instance, during the holidays when you may have family members gathering in your house, can make your dog feel anxious and confused.
Children can be especially anxiety-inducing for dogs who are not used to being around kids, as children are often loud and make sudden movements that might put the dog on edge.
Be aware of body language cues that indicate your dog is feeling stressed or afraid, such as baring their teeth, putting their ears back and their tail between their legs, licking their lips, yawning, or getting into a low stance.
A dog who feels scared or threatened might lash out and attack an approaching person, not necessarily out of rage or violence, but simply to protect itself.
Injury or Illness
Certain illnesses, like brain tumors and liver disease, may cause otherwise friendly dogs to become aggressive seemingly out of nowhere.
Pain is another common reason behind aggressive behavior in dogs, so look out for signs of injury in your pet.
It can be difficult to know when an animal is in pain since they can’t tell us verbally, but the sudden onset of aggressive behavior can be an indicator of an injury or illness, so it is important to take your pet to the vet if you notice new aggressive behavior.
Intervening when your dog is suddenly behaving differently could potentially prevent them from biting another dog, a person, or even you.
Lack of Proper Training
Often, aggressive dogs have not been properly trained by their owners.
It is crucial to train your dog at a young age so that it knows how to behave around both people and other dogs.
Since dogs are pack animals naturally, their instinct is to establish an “alpha dog” within the pack.
If you fail to train your dog and establish that you are the one in control, your dog will act out of its natural instincts and take on the alpha role.
Alpha dogs are difficult to control once they’ve adopted this mindset, and they tend to be aggressive towards people and other dogs.
You should never retaliate against an aggressive dog by behaving aggressively back; hitting a dog will just cause fear, which can make a dog’s aggressive behavior even worse.
Leash training, crate training, and training around meals and playtime are all important elements of training a puppy to be properly socialized and not behave aggressively.
There are also several tools that can help with training against aggressive behavior, such as muzzles and prong collars.
What to Do If You’re Attacked by a Dog
Even if you know the warning behaviors to look out for in a dog, you could still be attacked by an unfamiliar dog with a negligent owner.
Try to remain as calm as possible if an aggressive dog confronts you, backing away slowly if you can rather than kicking it or yelling.
If the dog does not back down and ends up biting you, you may be able to hold the dog’s owner liable for any injuries you receive.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries and medical expenses, so you should contact a lawyer specializing in animal attack injuries to get the compensation you deserve.
Fear and Anxiety
According to the BBC, some of the most common reasons dogs bite people are fear and stress.
Being around large groups of unfamiliar people, for instance, during the holidays when you may have family members gathering in your house, can make your dog feel anxious and confused.
Children can be especially anxiety-inducing for dogs who are not used to being around kids, as children are often loud and make sudden movements that might put the dog on edge.
Be aware of body language cues that indicate your dog is feeling stressed or afraid, such as baring their teeth, putting their ears back and their tail between their legs, licking their lips, yawning, or getting into a low stance.
A dog who feels scared or threatened might lash out and attack an approaching person, not necessarily out of rage or violence, but simply to protect itself.
Injury or Illness
Certain illnesses, like brain tumors and liver disease, may cause otherwise friendly dogs to become aggressive seemingly out of nowhere.
Pain is another common reason behind aggressive behavior in dogs, so look out for signs of injury in your pet.
It can be difficult to know when an animal is in pain since they can’t tell us verbally, but the sudden onset of aggressive behavior can be an indicator of an injury or illness, so it is important to take your pet to the vet if you notice new aggressive behavior.
Intervening when your dog is suddenly behaving differently could potentially prevent them from biting another dog, a person, or even you.
Lack of Proper Training
Often, aggressive dogs have not been properly trained by their owners.
It is crucial to train your dog at a young age so that it knows how to behave around both people and other dogs.
Since dogs are pack animals naturally, their instinct is to establish an “alpha dog” within the pack.
If you fail to train your dog and establish that you are the one in control, your dog will act out of its natural instincts and take on the alpha role.
Alpha dogs are difficult to control once they’ve adopted this mindset, and they tend to be aggressive towards people and other dogs.
You should never retaliate against an aggressive dog by behaving aggressively back; hitting a dog will just cause fear, which can make a dog’s aggressive behavior even worse.
Leash training, crate training, and training around meals and playtime are all important elements of training a puppy to be properly socialized and not behave aggressively.
There are also several tools that can help with training against aggressive behavior, such as muzzles and prong collars.
What to Do If You’re Attacked by a Dog
Even if you know the warning behaviors to look out for in a dog, you could still be attacked by an unfamiliar dog with a negligent owner.
Try to remain as calm as possible if an aggressive dog confronts you, backing away slowly if you can rather than kicking it or yelling.
If the dog does not back down and ends up biting you, you may be able to hold the dog’s owner liable for any injuries you receive.
Dog bites can cause serious injuries and medical expenses, so you should contact a lawyer specializing in animal attack injuries to get the compensation you deserve.