Number of Dog Bites Are on the Rise and It Might Be Thanks to Humans
A record number of people adopted dogs during the pandemic, and during this time not only were we in lockdown, but our dogs were too. A growing number of veterinarians feel that due to this dogs weren't properly socialized as puppies which led to puppies growing into dogs which have a tendency to bite people.
Dog bites have increased steadily since 2021.
CBS News reports, "A new study from the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information shows that a record number of people have been hospitalized because of dog bites.
In 2022, there were an all-time record 48,596 emergency visits for dog bites, a 12% increase from 2021. "
The article also states that, "One of the theories behind the increase is the record number of adoptions during the lockdown. The pandemic also provided less opportunities for owners to socialize their pets."
Now, this is obviously owner error. Your dog can't go out and meet different people and other dogs and drive themselves to obedience school, and it's up to dog owners to make sure their dogs are well disciplined and socialized. This doesn't mean discipling your dog in any aggressive way, but it means teaching them basic commands, and rewarding them for completing these commands.
How To Stop Your Dog From Biting
These tips are designed for owners who have a dog that is biting them, not strangers or visitors. Different states have different procedures when it comes to dog bites, and your best bet is to defer to law enforcement and legal counsel if your dog bites someone.
If your dog bites you or a family member, stop the bleeding with pressure, wash the wound, apply antibacterial ointment and if the bite has broken the skin call your medical provider right away. Remove the dog from the situation and crate them or put them in another room.
Related: Studies Show Bittersweet Reality of People Who Adopted 'Pandemic Puppies'
Even the most well-behaved and docile dog can bite if it is frightened or injured, so your first step should be a trip to your veterinarian to make sure your dog isn't suffering an underlying medical condition. If your dog gets a clean bill of health, it's important to remember that dogs don't usually bite out of malice, it's usually because they are afraid. Think about what happened when your dog bit. Was it a play session that became too rough? Were they startled? Dogs usually have a warning body posture if they are about to bite including growling, raising the fur on their body and snapping. If your dog does this, a firm no should get them to stop if they are familiar with basic obedience commands before it results in a bite.
A dog bite doesn’t necessarily mean the dog is aggressive or that the dog will continue biting people, but you still need to take preventative measures and correct this behavior. A professional dog trainer can work with your dog using training, counter-conditioning, and desensitization to help your dog learn not to bite. Take your dog to basic obedience school again and reinforce their training including basic commands.
As an owner you can not play games with your dog using your hands, especially when they are a puppy and they want to chew everything in sight.
Socialize your dog more frequently. If you are concerned about your dog's aggression, have them fitted for a muzzle, but let your dog to meet and interact with different types of people, including children, old people and other animals. Also expose your dogs to different situations including noisy ones and crowded areas, and learn your dog's body language. If they start to show signs of fear or aggression remove them from the situation.
A certified behaviorist or positive dog trainer will certainly help speed up the training process. Don’t wait until your dog hurts someone; a dog with poor bite inhibition can cause serious wounds if motivated to inflict a bite.
We all love our dogs and want the best fir them, and this includes teaching them not to bite. If your dog does bite someone, they could be taken from you, euthanized and you could end up with costly legal bills, and no dog owner wants any of that.
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