Dr. Dunbar's Bite Scale
Download the PDF Version: Bite Scale Perspective.pdf
To objectively evaluate bite severity, Dr. Ian Dunbar developed the Bite Scale.
The scale classifies bites based on the amount of damage caused.
Level 1
No skin contact.
Level 2
Teeth touch skin but do not puncture.
Level 3
One or more shallow punctures.
Level 4
Deep punctures and significant tissue damage.
Level 5
Multiple serious bites.
Level 6
Victim dead.
This distinction matters because behavior may look alarming while still causing little or no injury.
Over 99% of Dog Bite Incidents Cause No Serious Injury
One of the most surprising findings from Dr. Dunbar's research is that the vast majority of so-called "dog bites" fall into Levels 1 and 2.
That means:
- No puncture wounds
- No serious injury
- No significant damage
These dogs may be upset, frightened, or out of control.
But they are not dangerous in the sense that most people imagine.
As Dr. Dunbar explains:
"The beauty, the sheer beauty of dog-dog reactivity, is that a good 97% of dogs are safe with their jaws because of bite inhibition."
Bite Inhibition Is Good News
Bite inhibition is a dog's ability to control the force of their bite.
Think about that for a moment.
A dog has incredibly powerful jaws.
If a dog truly intended to inflict serious injury, it usually could.
When a dog chooses not to cause damage—even when frightened, frustrated, or aroused—that tells us something important.
It tells us the dog is exercising restraint.
For example:
- A dog that has been involved in several dog fights but has never seriously injured another dog
- A dog that has snapped at a person without puncturing skin
- A dog that has made contact but caused no meaningful injury
These are all signs that the dog may possess good bite inhibition.
That doesn't mean the behavior is acceptable.
But it does mean the prognosis is often far better than owners realize.
Dangerous Dogs Are Different
Some dogs are genuinely dangerous.
Dogs that have inflicted deep puncture wounds require a very different approach.
Training these dogs is more difficult.
Management becomes more important.
The risk of future injury is significantly higher.
That is not what we're talking about here.
Most reactive dogs never cause serious damage.
Most reactive dogs are not dangerous.
Most reactive dogs can improve dramatically and quickly with proper training and with little risk.
A Note About Bite History
A dog's previous behavior is one of the best predictors of future behavior.
If a dog has never bitten a person or been involved in a fight with another dog, it may be impossible to know with certainty what level of injury that dog would inflict if it did bite. For this reason, all dogs should be managed responsibly and introduced to new situations thoughtfully.
Dogs that have inflicted deep puncture wounds or serious injuries present significant risks and we strongly encourage individualized assessment by a qualified behavior professional.
Why This Matters for Training
Many owners avoid training because they worry their dog will hurt someone.
Ironically, that often makes the problem worse.
Fear spreads.
Triggers multiply.
The dog's world gets smaller.
As Dr. Dunbar points out:
"If the treatment is stressful, how much more stressful is not even trying to resolve this problem today?"
For dogs that are reactive but not dangerous, the opportunity is enormous.
Because these dogs have demonstrated bite inhibition, we can safely begin helping them build confidence, develop better social skills, and learn new responses around other dogs.
The Reactive Dog Toolkit
If your dog barks, growls, lunges, or overreacts around other dogs—but has never inflicted a serious bite injury—there is every reason to be optimistic.
The Reactive Dog Toolkit was specifically designed for dogs like these.
Inside, you'll learn how to:
- Understand the cause of your dog's reactivity
- Change emotional responses instead of suppressing symptoms
- Follow a structured training plan
- Build confidence around other dogs
- Prevent problems from getting worse
