What Happens When a Dog Bites Its Owner?

Dogs use their mouths the way humans use their hands. They explore and learn by tasting things and feeling with their mouths. Dogs, especially puppies, may bite their owners seemingly without reason as part of this learning process; however, there are a number of other causes for dog bites and plenty of reasons to teach your dog that biting is unacceptable.

  1. Reacting to the Bite

    • Immediately after your dog bites you, say "no" or "no biting," but do not hit her. Confine the dog to its crate or another room while you calm down and treat your wound. If the wound is small and your dog is up to date on all vaccinations, you can usually treat the injury at home. Clean the area with hydrogen peroxide. Pat dry and apply topical antibiotic ointment. Cover with a bandage if needed. If the injury is severe or the dog is not current on rabies and other vaccinations, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and seek medical attention immediately.

    Options for Dealing with the Dog

    • Once you have treated the injury, decide how you want to proceed with your dog. If the bite was mild or accidental and unusual for the dog, he will probably respond well to normal training techniques and quickly learn that biting is unacceptable. If the bite was severe or the dog has a history of aggressive behavior, there are other options to consider.

      If you want to keep the dog, seek professional help from an animal behavior expert. Keep the dog away from other people and under close supervision until the problem is solved. You may even consider muzzling the dog when in public.

      Some owners, especially those with children, may decide not to keep an aggressive dog. If you choose to give the dog away, contact a no-kill shelter or rescue agency and disclose the dog bite incident and any other aggressive behavior. In severe cases, the owner may choose to have the dog euthanized by a veterinarian.

    Preventing Future Bites

    • The first step in preventing your dog from biting in the future is to determine and address the reason for biting. An adult dog that has outgrown the puppy "nipping" stage may bite its owner for a number of reasons. Intact male dogs are more likely to bite than female or neutered dogs. Mother dogs often feel very protective of their puppies and may bite anyone who comes near.

      A dog frightened by a loud noise or one that feels insecure about a new situation is prone to bite as a defense mechanism. Dogs in pain often bite when touched. If your dog starts misbehaving suddenly, examine him for lacerations, swelling or dental problems if possible. Seek veterinary attention if you suspect your dog is in pain.

    Training Not to Bite

    • In most cases, you can teach your dog not to bite through basic training principles. When the dog or puppy bites you, consistently use a word such as "no" or other sound to signal that this is unacceptable behavior. Do not jerk your hand away from the dog; to her, this looks like play. Redirect the dog's attention by giving her an acceptable chew toy. Reward her with praise or treats when she chews acceptable items. Repeat this process every time the dog nips. It may take several days with some dogs, but eventually she will learn that biting is unacceptable.

    Aggressive Dogs

    • A dog bite is sometimes a warning sign of escalating aggression. Other signs of aggression include snapping or baring teeth and growling or snarling. It is important to identify and solve the problem as soon as possible, before the dog bites someone else. In most localities, a dog owner is legally liable for a dog bite, especially if the dog has bitten a person in the past. If your dog bites another person, you could face fines, lawsuits or even jail time, and your dog may be removed from the home or euthanized.