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(If your dog has already bitten someone hard enough to cause a serious injury, you need one-on-one help from a professional who can evaluate your dog ASAP. Check the CCPDT or IAABC websites to find a certified professional in your area.)

A lot of people say that when their dog bit someone, it was totally out of the blue. It was a complete surprise and they don't know why it happened.

If you know what to look for, this is rarely the case. Dogs usually bite people when they feel threatened or anxious and there are a handful of very common triggers that cause dogs to feel threatened.

The effect of each of these triggers is cumulative. Your dog might be a little wary of children, a little stand-offish around men, a little hand-shy, and a little skittish around their food bowl, but when a boy come up and reaches for the dog near their food bowl, all of these factors combine to push the dog past their biting threshold and the dog bites the boy.

This should come as no surprise. Being wary, stand-offish, hand-shy or skittish are all WARNING SIGNS that you need to do something about this before it's too.

You can download the PNG version of this file by Right-clicking on the image below, then selecting "Save Image As..." or something similar.

Or you can download the PDF version here: Predict and Prevent Dog Bites.pdf

You are welcome to share this document with anyone. If you'd like to learn more about how to diffuse bite triggers by using classical conditioning to help your dog feel confident and comfortable in any situation, you should keep reading and then enroll in our free course; Six Simple Steps to Solve Your Dog's Behavior Problems.

Or, join the Top Dog Academy to get access to ALL of our online courses, plus our private support community, for just $20/month.

People Triggers

Some types of people are more likely to make dogs feel uncomfortable than other people. Obviously, there are  exceptions, but you should make a special effort to proactively socialize your dog to feel totally comfortable and at ease in the presence of these types of people:

CHILDREN

From babies to teenagers, children are more likely to do strange and silly things that can make dogs excited and anxious. Kids are more likely to grab dogs without paying attention to the dog's body language. Also, children are more vulnerable, so adults are more likely to be anxious when a dog is around children, and that anxiety can contribute to a dog's anxiety.

MEN

There are always exceptions when it comes to any sort of gender-based distinction, but on average, men are more likely to be loud and aggressive, and they are more likely to shout at or physically punish a dog. Once a dog has been scared or hurt by one man, they are quick to generalize and can become fearful and anxious around all men.

UNFAMILIAR PEOPLE & THINGS

Dogs are more likely to be afraid of individual people and types of people who they have not met before. The more new, unfamiliar strangers your dog meets and has positive experiences with, the less wary your dog will be around other new people. Similarly, dogs can get spooked when people are wearing or holding new or unfamiliar things, like costumes, helmets, tools, or instruments. This is particularly true of anything that moves or makes noise.

Handling Triggers

It should come as no surprise that dogs can feel defensive or threatened about being touched. However, there are times when your dog will have to be touched, held, or examined, perhaps as part of a medical procedure, or during grooming. Teach your dog to enjoy being handled and they won't feel anxious about being handled when the need arises.

COLLAR

By far, the most common bite trigger is when a person reaches for a dog's collar. Many dogs learn to dislike, or even fear people reaching for their collar, because this action has become associated with unpleasant things, like a loss of freedom, and end to a fun activity, or even an aversive punishment. That's why it is SO IMPORTANT that you proactively teach your dog to LOVE it when you take hold of their collar. Fortunately, this couldn't be easier to do. Simply take your dog by their collar and then give them a treat. Repeat this over and over again and they will learn to love it when you reach for their collar and they'll actively move towards you when they do, to make it easier for you to take hold of them!

EYE CONTACT / STARING

Some dogs find eye contact to be threatening, especially when they are close to a person. Teach your dog to "Watch Me" on cue and then reward them with treats when they do so.

EARS

Practice handling and looking inside their ears. Make sure you handle BOTH ears and give treats when you do.

MUZZLE / TEETH

Practice looking inside their mouth and cleaning their teeth.  This is essential in case they ever have a dental problem and it's also a great way to help them maintain a gentle mouth. Make sure you give them treats after to help them form a positive association.

PAWS

Some dogs are fine about having their front paws handled, but if you don't remember to handle their back paws they can become sensitive about the. Paw injuries are common and you have to trim your dog's nails so it's important that you teach your dog to enjoy having all four paws, and every last toe touched and handled.

REAR END

The area under the tail and between the legs is a sensitive area that may need medical attention some day, so it's important that your dog isn't anxious about being touched or examined there.  You don't need to touch or examine them extensively, but a gentle pat and a few treats will do a lot to help them feel comfortable if their veterinarian ever needs to examine them.

HUGGING / RESTRAINT

Most dogs will need to be restrained for a medical exam or procedure at some point in their life, either at the vet, or just at home so you can get a look at an injury or other issue. Of course, it's also nice to be able to cuddle your dog! The difference between a hug and restraint is often just a matter of perspective. Teach your dog to enjoy being held and hugged, and they won't mind when the vet tech needs to "hug" them at the clinic.

Guarding Triggers

Dogs can be protective and defensive around the things or places that they like most. It's important that you proactively teach your dog to enjoy it when people come near them, even when they have something of value, or when they are in a favorite place.

VALUED OBJECTS

It's very common and natural for dogs to guard valued objects, especially food items like a bone, chew, or their food bowl. That's why it's essential to teach your dog to feel at ease with people approaching, and even taking away valued objects. With a little practice, you can teach your dog to actually ENJOY relinquishing valued objects, by giving them treats, and then returning the objects more often than not.

SPECIAL PLACES

Dogs can also be protective around their favorite places. Often, dogs have places they like to go to settle down and relax. Often, a dog might go to this sort of place when they are tired, or they want to be alone, which can certainly contribute to a dog feeling uncomfortable about someone approaching. It's good for your dog to have a place where they can settle down quietly when they want to, and you shouldn't bother them all the time, but it's important that your dog feels comfortable about people approaching when they are in there favorite places. Simply go up to them, give them a treat and a pat on the head and walk away.

OTHER TRIGGERS

Dogs can develop a persistent fear or phobia of any situation or stimulus. As dogs get older, they naturally get more fearful and wary of unfamiliar things, and all it takes is a single unpleasant experience for a dog to learn to be afraid of whatever stimulus they happen to associate with the unpleasant experience. If you know that something specific makes your dog feel uncomfortable, deal with it right away. Use treats and classical conditioning to help your dog feel comfortable around this thing.

LEARN MORE

If you'd like to learn more about how to how to use classical conditioning to help your dog feel comfortable and prevent dog bites, you should enroll in our free course; Six Simple Steps to Solve Your Dog's Behavior Problems.

Or, join the Top Dog Academy to get access to ALL of our online courses, plus our private support community, for just $20/month.

Looking for more DADDs (Dunbar Academy Downloadable Documents)? You can find them here.

We have one all about Classical Conditioning.