In 2005, over eighteen million dog bites were reported in the United States. In 1990, one million bites were reported. Half of all victims are bitten in the face and 60% of all attacks occur towards children. Dog bites are some of the fastest growing court cases in this country paying out over 1 billion dollars each year in settlement fees. (Source: www.dogbitelaw.com) Clearly, dog attacks have become an epidemic in this country and are on the rise.
Imagine in a spilt second, looking down to see your hand being shaken violently under 350 pounds per square inch of pressure in the jaws of a 180 pound Rottweiler. Your left arm is bleeding profusely and you know the only reaction to give the dog is a sense of calmness for him to release. Now welcome to my job as a professional dog trainer who handles severe aggression cases.
On average, I handle more aggression cases than any other type of training service I offer and that isn't on purpose. For one statistically speaking, dog attacks are rapidly growing. The more people that are acquiring dogs are not training them or understanding their needs and of course the more people that baby their dogs, the more calls I receive. Some of the dogs are sent to me because other behaviorists and trainers give up on them or refuse to take on such cases. I have worked with dogs that are deemed by animal control and court cases as dangerous towards people or other animals and I have worked with dogs that are mistaken for monsters by humans who just don't understand the difference between play and malicious or fearful behavior. Regardless of the scenario, I have handled only a few dogs that I would say are actually mean. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these dogs bite because of human errors but most likely, you won't hear about that part on the news.
I first learned how dogs bite through actually training them to bite for protection work and Schutzhund competitions. I was a young girl dressed in a bite suit doing mock break- ins in Los Angeles when I had dogs jumping out of cars and chasing me down through hallways in the homes of A-list celebrities. I've worked along side sharp shooters, bodyguards and worked for international security firms. To feel a dog bite in a bite suit is one thing but I knew to truly understand a dog's bite, I was going to have to get bit on the skin. It happened and has happened through the years on accident but the mechanics behind dog bites on the skin are where I have received a majority of my best lessons.
Dog aggression can occur for many, many different reasons. The types of aggression can vary or be combined from anything to guarding a sock to not allowing an owner to walk into his house or killing another dog. Some aggression can come from fear, other aggression can come from dominance, pain, not getting enough serotonin to the brain which causes biting without warning, etc, etc.
The common themes in the majority of dog attacks that I see is from lack of leadership, socialization, not enough exercise, no training, tied or chained to a tree, dogs trained to fight, not establishing house-hold rules, lack of food or water, abuse, severe trauma caused by injury or neglect, kids who tease dogs, poor genetics, fear and most commonly- dominance. Impulsivity happens but is not as common in a well- established environment. This is the overall theme: humans cause a majority of dog bites. The actual bite itself is only a small piece of the puzzle.
This is not to say that a few dogs are just really mean but they are few and far between. The fact is that most aggression should be weaned out by proper breeding but this too is not the case. There are a lot of breeders who breed to win- and show dogs that have shown poor temperament early on because the have the right "looks". There are very few breeders that I recommend. The ones that I do recommend, spend a great deal of time performing proper socialization to their puppies, do temperament tests on their own and are ethical towards maintaining the breed's temperament as much as it's looks.
Unfortunately, we humans are busy with jobs, kids, family obligations, etc. Dogs usually get unconditional love from humans because for us, it's like getting a massage. You pet the dog and all your cares go out the window. We look at that cute, cuddly face and just have to kiss and hug it. Americans are no doubt, addicted to their pooches. Of course Fido gets all the best vet care in the world. We spend billions of dollars each year taking him there! He has all the best toys and he's always SO happy to be around you! Can you walk him on a leash with out pulling you down the street though? Does he even go for walks? Has he ever seen anything but your house and the vet's office? What about other dogs? Does he get to go to the dog park every week or hike up a trail? Run on the beach or can he stay in the down position for up to an hour? Most average Americans don't have time for obedience training, exercise, socialization and play but these few things are actually as crucial to dog ownership as food and water.
Everyone wants the "quick fix". The fact is, there are no "quick fixes" with dogs. Dogs are hard work. There is no method that works in a few minutes. There is no one philosophy or solution that solves all dogs or every dog problem. There is no black and white when it comes to your dog. There is only you. You make your dog into whatever he or she is going to be. There are the exceptions, but for most dog problems, this is the hard truth. Once a pet has been euthanized for maiming a child, there is no "I should have taken the time to work with a trainer, socialized her around kids and given her the exercise she needed." When you purchase a pet for life, know what responsibility you are getting into. Don't buy a dog for a stupid reason like "I couldn't resist!" or "My kids wanted him so I gave in."
When we hear of dog bites, you never hear of small dogs biting in the news because they don't pack the same psi punch as the large breeds do. Funny enough though, I usually see more small dog aggression cases that big dog cases. Small dogs can also be easier to spoil. A big dog such as a German Shepherd or Pit Bull, comes with a reputation so these breeds I find will come to me as puppies with responsible owners to prevent any incidents from acuring when they mature. When the large breeds bite though- look out. They have enough pressure in their jaws to break an adult's arm. These kinds of bites usually don't come around all of a sudden however. Dog bites get worse over time. Once a dog learns to bite, it accomplishes a goal. Unless we are dealing with severe abuse, pain, etc., a dog just doesn't go out one day and kill its owner. Usually, there is much more behind the story that leads up to that. For example, a Labrador bites a person out of fear. That person who poses the threat towards the dog, backs off right away and never wants to be around the Lab again. That sends a pretty powerful message into the mind of the dog. Dog bites, person moves away. Next time this dog bites, it requires a trip to the hospital for an open wound and the next time the dog bites it's enough pressure to break a finger. So it starts slowly over time.
Martha Whipple, the lacrosse player in San Francisco who was killed by two Presa Canarios, was a perfect case for this. The dogs had already killed some animals on a farm, barked and growled ferociously at people living in the apartment building where she was living, etc. It was a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.
When a dog bites a person, the chance of infection is very high. Dog's mouths are very dirty. They eat poop, fetch old tennis balls and lick themselves in precarious places. If an open wound has occurred to a part of the body other than the face, doctors will try no to stitch it up because the infection can grow underneath the skin. If a rabid dog bites you, you are in for a long hospital stay. Regardless, your bite will be treated aggressively with antibiotics. Prepare for a strong shot in your rear- end and a strict wound cleaning regimen. X-rays may be taken and depending on severity, you could be having plastic surgery by age ten.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR DOG BITES:
Should you have ignored all the warning signs, hoped the aggression would just magically go away or been an unfortunate good dog owner who acquired a dog who just snapped, this is what you should do:
- Check to make sure the person or animal is all right.
- Get medical attention should the victim or animal need it.
- Don't panic. Remain calm and secure your dog where it cannot pose another threat.
- Apologize, apologize. Do not put the blame on anyone just yet. Examine the situation unless it is obvious, your dog did not start the fight. (Sometimes even this is tricky- dogs can give each other looks, body posture, etc. to send another dog through the roof!)
- Give the victim your information and if possible, take theirs.
- Offer to pay for any medical expenses should the victim or other pet needs it.
- Call the victim the next day to see how they are doing.
- Contact your attorney if needed.
- In severe attack situations, send flowers if appropriate.
- Fax all shot records of your dog to the victim. Don't just say "he has all his shots"- prove it!
- Cooperate with animal control and remain calm. Most states evaluate dogs in quarantine on case-by-case bases. Examining any prior offenses, etc.
- Keep your emotions to yourself, not to your dog.
- Contact a professional dog trainer or behaviorist with experience in this field to begin a recovery process.
HOW TO SURVIVE A DOG ATTACK:
- Way out your options: If you know you can make it to the fence in time, RUN. If you know you can't out run the dog, stand still.
- Try to get something in between you and the canine such as a broom or a barbeque. Umbrellas work really well but it's not always raining…. If the dog is coming after you, let him bite the broom instead. Dog's release stress through their mouths so it's actually good if you can get them to bite something other than you.
- Do not look the dog in the eyes. If you have no other defense, stand completely still with your hands up in the air as if your being arrested.
- Do not yell or scream. Remain calm. If the dog starts to settle down, call for help cautiously.
- Once the dog bites you, try to speak calmly to him or her. This will also help you not to panic.
- Do not fight back when a canine bites. THIS IS THE WORSE THING YOU CAN DO. Most likely the dog will bite you harder and the bites will continue to get increasingly vicious as he or she goes into defense mode. Should you choose to fight, most likely the dog will win.
- Should your arms or hands end up being shaken in the dog's mouth, try to let that body part go limp. Wait until the jaws release again before trying to get your hand or arm back. This is very difficult for people that are in shock. However, it is the best way to prevent and sustain very serious injuries.
- If the dog is leashed, allow the leash to either release at the time of attack or allow the dog to back up as a response to fight or flight mode. Many fear biters will bite and then want to run. The best thing you can do is allow them that extra leash or allow them to run. Cornering one of these dogs will increase the likely hood of another attack.
- After an attack has ended, inspect your body all over for damage and always seek medical attention should your skin be broken, severe bruising, etc.
- The best recommendation for surviving an attack is to not panic. The attack will be over in what seems to be a lifetime but only in a matter of moments.
The primary way to stop any aggression is by preventing it from ever happening. It doesn't matter what breed of dog you have. By completing a basic obedience course, establishing household rules and providing play, exercise and socialization you will be giving your dog a recipe for good mental and physical health. With some cases however, there are psychological problems that can go beyond this recipe but every dog should sustain these fundamental things. Whether you plan to use your dog for protection, therapy, a family companion, etc. Every dog needs these essential outlets in order to thrive just like eating, drinking and breathing. Also, should you see any signs of aggressive behavior in your dog- take immediate action. Do not wait. Contact an expert and remember that not all trainers are qualified in this field. Consult with those that have been in business for many years and have experience with aggression. Remember, dogs are what we make of them. Lastly, never judge a book by its cover. My three German Shepherds are the most highly socialized dogs on the planet. They also can break a person's arm. I would trust my dogs any day however, around a three-year old toddler more that I would trust a Golden Retriever who's never been out of his own back yard.