dog bites

Dealing With A Dog That Bites

Dogs bite for a number of reasons. Puppies may bite when teething or playing. It’s up to us to teach them what’s acceptable and what is not. Sometimes, dogs develop aggressive tendencies towards people or other pets. This is extremely common. It’s estimated that around 60-70% of pet dogs will growl or bark at strangers or animals they don’t know.

Most dogs will not act aggressively towards their own family members. Dogs that bite the people or animals they live with are much harder to deal with than those that act aggressively only in certain situations.

When Your Dog Bites Their Vet or Groomer

It’s not uncommon for dogs to bite out of fear and when in pain. This frequently occurs at vet offices and grooming salons. New pet owners are often very surprised to learn that their sweet, gently dog has bitten their vet, vet tech, or groomer. While this type of behavior is common, it should not be ignored. Changing vets or grooming salons will not solve the problem.

It’s crucial that you let your vet or groomer know in advance if your dog has ever bitten their caretakers. This allows them to take the necessary precautions to protect both themself and your dog.

Grooming A Dog That Bites

As one of Orange County’s premier grooming salons, we see a lot of dogs every day. Many of these dogs are fearful or become stressed out when being groomed. When armed with the right information, we can help these dogs overcome their fear and many even end up enjoying the grooming process. However, if you do not let us know that your dog might bite, we will not know to take things slow as your dog adjusts to being groomed.

Typically, a dog will bite during specific procedures such as nail trims or brushing. With proper notice, we can usually avoid being bitten. Our groomers take extra time and care when handling dogs that bite. They move slowly and give plenty of positive reinforcement for good behavior. It’s important to note that because of the extra time and effort involved, dogs that bite do cost extra to groom.

You can get your dog used to being groomed at home between professional grooming appointments. Touch their feet, nails, and ears regularly. Over time, your dog should become accustomed to being groomed.

Sometimes, dogs are too aggressive to be handled. Grooming these dogs is risky for both the groomer and the dog. These dogs must be groomed by their veterinarian. This is usually done under sedation.

Why a Dog Might Bite

Just like humans, even the best behaved dog has both good days and bad days. In fact, over the course of a single day a dog can go from feeling totally relaxed and easy-going to tense and cranky. Dog bites occur for a number of different reasons including:

The dog is protecting a possession, its owner, its property or its puppies
Something has frightened or provoked the dog
The dog is old and does not have as much patience as it used to
The dog is injured or sick
Someone has startled or harmed the dog
The dog never learned bite inhibition
Herding breeds tend to nip when attempting to “herd” their family

In order to prevent dog bites you must first learn how to spot the warning signs that a dog is about to bite. These warning signs are always present before a dog bites, however they can be extremely subtle. Sometimes the dog exhibits these warning signs for months or years before the dog finally loses its tolerance and bites, surprising everyone around it. Warning signs that a dog might bite include:

Ears pinned back
Fur along the dog’s back standing up
Whites of eyes showing
Yawning
Freezing in response to touch
Direct intense eye contact from the dog

Preventing dog bites begins at home. If you do not intend to breed your dog, spaying and neutering can decrease the likelihood of bites. Making sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise can help to expend any excess energy that could otherwise be directed towards nervous energy. Playing with your dog helps to prevent bites by reinforcing your bond. However, rough games should always be avoided in order to prevent any dominance issues. Socialization is extremely important but your dog should never be allowed to roam free where they can pose a danger to other people and pets. If you have children, take the time necessary to teach them how to properly act around dogs, what warning signs to watch for and how to respond if a dog attacks.

Claws N Paws Day Spa has been taking care of Orange County’s dogs and cats since 2001. We offer full service pet grooming at our state of the art pet salon in Fountain Valley, California. We also offer mobile pet grooming to all areas of Orange County. For more information, or to schedule your next grooming appointment, please call 714-962-1005 today.

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