In real life, we often meet people who are fearful of dogs. Loyal and adorable puppies are seen by these people as “killers.” They are afraid of being bitten by dogs, so they always keep their distance. Actually, their concerns are not unfounded. In fact, dog bite incidents have occurred. So, are dogs really that scary? Why do dogs bite us? Not understanding a dog's warnings: All dogs know that humans are not their food, so usually dogs will not directly or actively attack humans.
When they are disturbed, their instinctive reaction is to avoid, followed by warning. Many people think wagging tails indicate happiness, but actually, when a dog’s tail is lowered and swings left and right, it is a warning. If at this time the dog produces a growling sound in its throat, lowers its front limbs, wrinkles its nose, and shows its teeth, this means it is ready to attack at any moment — you better slowly back away.
Trespassing into a dog’s territory: Dogs consider an area as their territory. If a stranger intrudes in their domain without permission, they will attack — this is the dog's instinct. This instinct is also why dogs are trained as guard dogs, watchdogs, etc. Regardless of size, all dogs have the instinct to guard their territory. When strangers pass by a home, even a Chihuahua weighing only a few pounds will bark to alert and adopt a stance ready to fight the invader; in some countries, placing a sign that reads “Beware of fierce dog” on the house wall makes owners feel more assured than hiring security guards — thieves are unlikely to risk invading a fierce dog’s territory.
When in a stranger dog’s territory, do not try to establish a friendly relationship; just slowly retreat until the dog stops growling. Offending a dog’s “private property”: Bodee is a Pekingese over 9 years old. It has a favorite toy: a squeaky rubber banana, regarded as a treasure that no one can touch. Every guest visiting the owner is told not to tease Bodee with that banana, or they will be bitten.
Every dog has some “private property,” like small toys or chewed bones, which are trivial to humans but very important to dogs. If someone meddles with these, it’s no wonder they get bitten. Unintentionally triggering a dog’s chase instinct: Many parents warn their children that dogs are dangerous and to run quickly if encountering a dog because dogs will bite. When children meet dogs, their parents’ words immediately ring in their minds. So even if the dog shows no aggressive intent and acts friendly, children still feel fearful and run away as instructed.
Dogs have a primitive instinct to chase prey, which even pet dogs harbor in their subconscious. Chasing fleeing things is fun for dogs. So although dogs don’t originally intend to harm children, when they see a child run away, they will chase. It’s easy to imagine that a swift dog chasing a terrified child is effortless. It is almost impossible for the child to outrun the dog, and once caught, the dog may bite from overexcitement.
Being unguarded around neurotic dogs: People bitten in such cases are often dog lovers who cannot resist approaching puppies for petting or hugs. Generally, dogs are friendly to humans, especially stable temperament purebreds. But as the saying goes “In a big forest there are all sorts of birds,” treating a dog with character defects in this way is very dangerous.
People’s vigilance toward dogs is flawed. Generally, people think the bigger the dog, the more dangerous. Indeed, large dogs’ huge bodies exert pressure, but many large dogs like Saint Bernards, Great Danes, Newfoundland dogs, etc., are very friendly. Conversely, some small dogs are more aggressive, and their size makes people less alert, leading to attacks.
How to face a strange dog? When dealing with a strange dog, it’s best to squat in front of the dog to bring your gaze to the dog’s level. Make a fist and slowly extend it from below to the dog, stopping half a meter away. This way, the dog can see your entire movement and will not consider you aggressive. Since the fist has no protrusions, the dog also has no easy target to attack. Usually, the dog will come to sniff your fist.
You can try to pet its chest and chin — these are dog-friendly areas for petting. Do not touch unfamiliar dogs on the head or back; when it can’t see your movements, it will be very anxious. Do not pat a dog’s head — this will cause its vision to shake and hearing to be unclear, possibly making it think you are attacking.
If the dog is giving warnings, do not turn around and run. The best approach is to slowly but continuously back away until you leave the dog’s territory.
The larger your movements, the more the dog perceives you as aggressive. Tips 1: Anti-bite secrets: Do not show fear or cower when seeing a dog, and especially do not run away — composed demeanor will give the dog a good impression. When visiting dog owners, ask if the dog has any taboos; do not touch dog toys or food randomly. When meeting strange dogs on the street being walked by owners, even if you like them, do not immediately go to pet them. Keep a certain distance from strange dogs.
Pay attention to a dog’s behavior when interacting. If the dog emits warning sounds or shows attack postures, stop immediately and slowly leave. Tips 2: In case of a dog bite: If bitten, do not take it lightly but do not panic. First observe the wound; if the skin is not broken and there is no bleeding, the injury is minor and usually heals without treatment. If the wound is broken and bleeding, repeatedly clean the wound with soapy water and go to the hospital immediately for treatment and rabies vaccination.
As long as timely treatment is given, usually there will be no problems.