It’s A Dog’s Life —

Dog Bites!

By Mary Jane Anderson

“Behavior and temperament problems develop, surprising though it may seem, because dogs have a strong tendency to grow up to behave like dogs,” reported the Center of Applied Animal Behavior in California. Excessive barking, chewing, house soiling, digging, running away, and biting belong to natural traits in a dog’s character.

Not surprising, dog bites are the second most common health hazard in the United States, with only one out of ten dog bites actually reported to authorities. You might assume that these bites happen in the home or in the yard by overzealous dogs protecting their property, real or imaginary. But, even show dogs have been excused from the show ring because of aggressive behavior.

A dog’s behavior such as growling, snapping, and biting are normal reactions to specific circumstances. A common occurrence is the dog that growls at the owner who picks up the dog’s food bowl, toy, or bone. The dog’s natural instinct comes to the foreground, but the owner is upset; the owner cannot understand why his or her dog did that.

Dogs, as well as humans, have both a good side and a bad side. For example, German shepherds are intelligent dogs. By intelligent, it means that they are suitable for many specific tasks, such as tracking, guiding the blind, guarding, and protecting. The good side of German shepherds are that they are loyal, faithful companions at work or play. However, a German shepherd dog’s good side for work in guarding and protecting becomes a bad side when the dog is for companionship only. Owners then must keep this natural trait of guarding and protecting in the background and encourage the qualities they consider the most important in the foreground, such as exercise by walking, hiking, and playing ball. Then, the dog is not looking for something to do such as guarding the backyard or the house, making it difficult or impossible for people and children to come to visit.

Why do owners endure the bad side of their dogs that they do not enjoy? Some owners might back away from a biting situation while others “correct” their dogs by hitting them. But punishment, in most cases, does not solve the problem. The dogs become very wise and make the best of the situation until it is over and will repeat the behavior when the animal is put in that situation again.

Reliable behavior, such as always coming when called, sit or down, stay for as long as necessary until released, only comes from training. Training comes from a daily, consistent, practical application of obedience exercises. Bad dogs are made, not born; therefore, owners must instruct their dog’s behavior so their dog is not a dog that even thinks of showing teeth when meeting people.