Dog Bite Behavior

Trainers hear it all the time: "The dog bit me out of the blue, it gave no warning." The truth is all dogs display numerous warnings before they bite. Though the warning signs leading up to a bite can be subtle, they are similar no matter the breed. Facial and body expressions change, placement of the ears change, even the sound of the bark or growl can indicate that a bite is imminent, that you need to take action to prevent an attack and protect yourself or others. If your dog displays aggression, do not let it slide; call your veterinarian to have a complete examine to rule out pathology (some diseases cause aggression), and make an appointment with a veterinary behaviorist to train your dog.

  1. Aggressive Play

    • When friendly dogs play, they move loosely from one dog to another, and will come to you when called without resisting. If, however, a dog fixates on one dog even though the second dog expresses cooperation (calming signals) by offering a play bow (bowed head, forelegs stretched out) and the first dog's body stiffens, whiskers flare and pupils dilate, it is time to end the playtime. These behaviors indicate increasing arousal in a dog about to aggress. Stiffening, a fixed hard stare and dilated pupils means, "Back off."

    Role Playing Behavior

    • Dogs love to participate in role-playing games where one dog is the predator and the other is the prey. Friendly play exhibits when both dogs volunteer their roles: When Dog 1 assumes the prey role and Dog 2 assumes the predator part. As the predator, a dog lowers its head and neck and moves in slow exaggerated movements as if it were stalking its prey. Dog 1 will typically leap, run away to incite a chase or roll over in submissive play. Dogs at play often exchange those roles. However, if one dog shows uneasiness by tucking its tail, looking back with a worried "furrowed brow" while the other dog appears more intent, indicates pre-bite aggression.

    Resource Guarding

    • When a dog guards a toy, bone or object of high value, it is called resource-guarding and a dog may resort to biting to keep you or another dog from taking it away. Guarding behavior includes a slight lowering of the head and split-second stillness--the dog chewing a bone suddenly stops chewing and becomes perfectly still as you or other animal approaches.

    Defensive Behavior

    • Insecure dogs can display defensive warnings ahead of a bite. When a fearful dog is startled or feels insecure about maintaining a toy or bone, only the hair on the back of the neck stands up. It will hold its ears upright and draw its lips back just enough to expose its incisors and canines. The dog can raise its tail, making short, sharp movements as if it were trembling, the head and neck extended forward and lowered. In an extreme situation, the dog's tail tucks between the legs, the hair stands along the neck, back, and up to the tail and it will growl loudly.

    Offensive Behavior

    • Assertive dogs stand their ground with the head, neck and tail held high, the lips lifted and curled back enough to wrinkle up the nose, while the eyes are fixed in a hard stare. The dog about to strike is silent and motionless. It might lick its nose and the eyes may shift, partially exposing the white part of the eye, a behavior called "whale eye." These are split-second behaviors that can be missed.