Dog Bite Prevention and Dog Body Language

Why bites happen on ordinary days

Most bites don't come from a stranger's dog in a dark alley. They happen on a narrow rowhouse sidewalk in Brookland, at a building door in Woodridge, or in your own living room when a child hugs the family dog. DC Health puts it plainly: any dog can bite, and dogs are most likely to bite when they feel threatened.

The ASPCA's page on aggression in dogs adds that dogs rarely bite without some kind of warning first, even if it lasts only a split second. Owners often miss those signs and feel the bite came out of nowhere. The ASPCA also notes that a frightened dog may bite if it is cornered, and that a gentle dog can bite when it is in pain.

Warning signs to watch for

The ASPCA lists a sequence of behaviors that dogs often show before a bite, from mild to serious. Dogs don't always go in order, and they may do several at once. One exception matters on city streets: the ASPCA says chasing behavior aimed at runners, bikes or other animals rarely comes with any warning. If you see the signs below, stop, give the dog room and let it move away. Watch for these:

• Becoming very still and rigid.
• A deep, threatening bark.
• Lunging or charging toward a person without making contact.
• Growling.
• Showing teeth, or a snarl (growling and showing teeth together).
• A snap or a quick nip.

Greeting dogs on DC sidewalks

DC Health's bite prevention advice is short and practical. Never offer your hand for a dog to smell, and never reach toward a person who has a dog, because a stranger's moving hand can feel like a threat. Don't disturb a dog that is eating, sleeping, playing with a toy or caring for puppies, and never pull, hit or tease a dog. Asking the person holding the leash before you say hello costs nothing, and they know if their dog is nervous.

If a dog makes you feel threatened, DC Health says to stay calm, avoid yelling, stand still without turning or running, and avoid eye contact. Back away calmly once the dog leaves. If you fall, curl into a ball and protect your head and neck with your hands. DC Code § 8-1808 says an owner must not let an animal go at large, and DC Health asks you to report dogs running loose to Animal Control or the police. Our guide to DC leash and dog waste rules covers the leash side.

Children and dogs

DC Health warns that young children should never be left alone with dogs, even dogs they know. Children move quickly and like to hug, and a dog may be afraid of being held tightly and may bite. Teach your children to tell an adult when they see a strange dog, not to approach a dog unless an adult they know is with them, and to tell an adult if a dog bites or scratches them.

DC Health also notes that some dogs bite when they feel afraid, so it helps to get a dog used to new people, dogs and places calmly. Our post on structured puppy walking talks about gentle exposure on city walks. Ask your vet when your puppy is ready for sidewalks and other dogs.

If a bite happens in DC

If you are bitten, DC Health says to ask for the owner's name and phone number, wash the wound right away for several minutes with plenty of soap and water, report the bite to animal control, and get medical care from your doctor or the nearest emergency facility. People with chronic health problems should call their doctor right away. Rabies can pass from an animal to a person, so DC Health asks you to contact it for advice whenever contact with an animal breaks the skin.

When a dog or cat bites a person in DC, DC Health says the owner must keep the animal quarantined on their property for 10 days, and DC Animal Control inspects it on the first and last day. Quarantine does not mean the dog is taken away. Separately, DC Code § 8-1901 defines a "potentially dangerous" and a "dangerous" dog by what a dog does without provocation, and those labels carry their own rules.

If your own dog bites someone, DC Health asks you to:

• Secure and control your dog, since the person may be scared and your dog may be excited.
• Give the person your name and phone number.
• Be ready to show proof of your dog's vaccinations, which your vet can provide.
• Report the bite to DC Animal Control at 202-888-PETS (202-888-7387).

Dog-to-dog scuffles on walks

A fight between two leashed dogs can start in a second on a tight sidewalk. The ASPCA explains that people are often bitten when they grab or push fighting dogs, because a dog may turn and bite whoever interferes. It also notes that intact male dogs sometimes challenge other males. If your dog is bitten by another animal, DC Health says to have a vet examine your dog right away, and DC Health may require a quarantine depending on vaccination history.

This is one reason careful walkers think about which dogs share a walk. Our group walks pair dogs based on temperament and energy level, and our services include private walks for dogs that don't do well walking with other dogs. Our guide to group walks vs. solo walks helps you decide which fits your dog.

When a walker is not the next step

If your dog has bitten, or growls and snaps more than before, a walker is not the fix. The ASPCA says to see your vet first to rule out medical causes, then work with a qualified professional, such as a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or a certified applied animal behaviorist. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior's position statement says methods based on force, pain or fear should not be used to train dogs or treat behavior problems, including aggression.

Once your vet or behaviorist has a plan, regular dog walking can fit around it, and a careful walker will follow the plan rather than test your dog. Our guide on how to choose a pet sitter or dog walker lists what to ask before anyone handles a dog with a bite history.