How can I tell if a dog will bite?

On Behalf of | Feb 22, 2020 | Dog Attacks |

Dogs rightfully have a place in the heart of many humans, and there are many beloved pets that live out their lives as treasured members of their human families. However, there is also the reality that dogs are still animals, and not all of them are very friendly. In fact, dogs that are aggressive towards humans can potentially cause a lot of damage. While there’s definitely onus on dog owners to control their pups, it is also important to understand the signs that a dog may not be friendly and could potentially bite. According to Petful, it is always best to leave dogs that you are not familiar with alone. 

However, there are some universal signs that a dog is not friendly and may attack. The first is that the dog appears to be stiff and has its ears back against its skull. Dogs that have tucked-in tails and lips tightly together are often scared. Scared animals are more likely to attack. 

If, on the other hand, the dog is upright, tense, and its ears and tail are pointing straight up and hackles raised, this dog is likely trying to intimidate you and show dominance. It may attack if it perceives that you are a danger to it or its territory. 

Generally speaking, if a dog is baring its teeth at you in any form, it is showing aggression. This is not true with every single breed, as certain breeds may show their teeth as a sign of playfulness or pleasure, but for the majority of breeds this is not the case. Again, if you are not familiar with the dog and how it exhibits emotions, it is better to leave the dog alone.