With dogs, aggression is a normal form of communication.  Growling or snapping is used to warn other animals, defend themselves or guard their territory.  It is natural then that when dogs feel that they have given adequate warning they act aggressively.  The problem then lies in miscommunication between dogs and humans.

Dogs will often show aggressive behavior in efforts to bring order as well.  In a pack of dogs, a hierarchical system is created where order is established by aggressive behavior.  With only outward expression dogs can organize themselves without acting upon their aggressive behavior.  When dealing with humans dogs become intimidate or threatened and often use the same tactics to organize and create order.

Spaying or neutering your dog may be one of the best ways to prevent aggressive behavior.  A simple surgery may be the easiest source of prevention for dog’s who possess hostile conduct.  Other forms of preventative measures include socializing the dog by introducing them early on to many people and places and by allowing others to pet and handle them.  Additionally, dogs naturally play rough, but wrestling and rough handling will only encourage dangerous behavior in your dog.  If your dog does handle roughly, express a loud but not angry “oww” to let them know that the behavior is unacceptable.

If your dog is already exhibiting aggressive conduct, then a behavioral specialist might be the best thing.  An expert in dog behavior uses positive reinforcement to understand and train your dog to limit its aggression and resolve its tendencies for roughness.  Although some aggression may be caused by medical circumstances and should be solved by a veterinarian, most aggressive actions can be resolved through behavioral experts.

Many dog lovers are under the false impression that bigger dogs are more aggressive than smaller dogs. While larger dogs are generally more capable of inflicting the greatest amount of harm because of its size, it is very important to understand that all dog breeds, including the smallest and gentlest ones can be equally aggressive and violent.

Types of Aggression

Just as it is important to understand human communication and behavior knowing your dogs signs of communication are important as well.  Below are five types of aggression your dog may display:

1. Protective Aggression – a common trait by many dogs is to protect their owner’s family and home from intruders.
2. Possessive Aggression – similar to protective aggression, except the dog is now protecting their own possessions.  Often these objects include food, toys, shelters, or any object it decides to guard.  A simple trade is perhaps the best way to alleviate this problem.
3. Dominance Aggression – referring back to the use of behavior as a way of forming order and obedience, dogs use aggression to display dominance within other animals.  Occasionally, dogs use dominant behavior towards humans and positive reinforcement should be used to correct the dog’s behavior.
4. Territorial Aggression – often the owner’s home and property are included in the territory the dog decides to protect.  Sometimes the area can be as small as a backyard or as large as a neighborhood.
5. Fear Motivated Aggression – caused by intimidation to new humans or animals which cause the dog to believe it is in danger.  Examples of this form of behavior may be found when a dog bites a human who raises their arm.  Training and positive reinforcement can greatly minimize these traits.

Selecting the Right Puppy

When picking a dog, it is important to watch the behavioral patterns of the dog. Some of the behaviors you should be mindful of include:

• Obvious signs of aggressive behaviors
• Excessive gnawing, snarling and biting
• Extremely shy, timid or nervous

Potentially Aggressive Dog Breeds

Some dogs which are known to be potentially aggressive are Chows Chows, Papillion, Old English Sheep Dogs, Llasa Apso, Rottweiler, Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, Dachshunds, Jack Russell Terriers, Giant Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese and Miniature Pinschers. While they are known to have some behavioral problems, this does not mean that these dogs will bite. Again, dogs can be trained to behave.

There are some dog breeds which are mistakenly considered as aggressive in spite of their gentle and affable nature. Some such breeds are Boxers, Bulldogs, Great Danes, Mastiffs and German Shepherds.

Spending Quality Time with the Master Reduces Dog’s Aggression

While an obedience training school can certainly take your pets discipline to the next level, it is very important to spend some quality time and instruct your pet with key day-to-day behaviors. This practice will ensure enough trust which will reduce your pet’s aggression to a large extent.

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Understanding dogs when they communicate can greatly reduce the occurrence of aggressive actions and potentially dangerous situations.  For dogs that already produce such behavior, experts can become essential elements to training your dog to communicate more effectively.

First Aid for a Dog Bite

If possible and applicable, cleaning and disinfecting the wound is the first step in providing first aid to the victim. The area which is wounded by the dog bite should be washed with soap and warm water. While cleaning the wound, you should take extra care to clean inside the wound as well, granted the wound is not too deep. The soap must also be thoroughly rinsed, as it might lead to irritation during the later stages of the treatment.

Be on the lookout for warning signs around the wound such as redness, heat, swelling and/or pus as these may be signs of greater injuries.

Always seek medication attention when bitten by a dog.

Visiting a Doctor for your Bite

There is a high probability that the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics for the treatment of infection, if there are signs of any. It is also important to determine if the dog was vaccinated for rabies, as the next course of treatment depends mainly on the findings related to rabies.

The doctor may take precautionary measures and treat for rabies in the absence of proof for rabies vaccination. Your physician will also determine if your wound requires any stitches. Depending on the severity of the bite and wound, your physician might recommend emergency medical attention as well.

A physician should be consulted immediately after the dog bite to eliminate any chances of permanent scar, damage or infection.

If you or anyone you know is seriously injured by a dog, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Contact a local dog bite attorney in your area to find out if you have a case.

Symptoms of infection usually spreads quickly. Some of the symptoms include redness of the skin, swelling, pus and / or severe pain, usually within 12-24 hours of the dog attack.

How to Prevent Dog Bite Infection

After being bitten by a dog and if applicable, clean the wounded area with soap and warm water as it can prevent infection, or the spread of infection. Take caution to rinse the soap thoroughly as otherwise soap traces can cause irritation to the wound.

Treatment

A dog bite victim should consult a physician as soon as possible, at least within 8 hours of being bitten. It is very important as early treatment can reduce the risk of infections considerably. Your physician might recommend a course of antibiotic pills to reduce the risk of infections. Alternatively, your physician might also administer a course of intravenous antibiotics. In addition to all this, your doctor can also recommend tetanus and rabies immunization to curtail the risk of infection.

If you or any of your family members have been injured or hurt because of the negligent behavior of a dog owner, you may have the right to seek monetary competition for the pain, suffering, and / or financial loss as a result of the attack. Since dog bite laws differ from state to state, it is best to hire a dog bite attorney who can help you with all legal and financial aspect of your case.

While smaller dogs such as poodles and Chihuahuas are known to be aggressive, they do not seem to be recieving the same amount of negative press as pitbulls and German Shepherds.

However, according to the article, experts did not believe that there was any specific dog breed that was considered to be bad.  The experts went further and stated that any dog can bite if provoked.

Many regions across the U.S. have attempted to restrict or ban certain breeds such as a pit bull or Rottweiler to reduce vicious dog bites and attacks.  Additionally, depending on the city, homeowners who have one of the larger dog breeds such as a German Shepherd, are required to have dog bite insurance coverage through their homeowner insurance of at least $100k to cover any damages in the event the dog attacks.

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Source: KTVN.com

A dog bite lawyer can help you with a professional insight into the dog bite incident. Many dog bite attorneys go one step ahead to provide a free evaluation of the incident, that is, these professionals let you know for free if you have a dog bite case.

Important Factors Which Determine Your Probability of a Dog Bite Case:

• The severity of the injury
• Was there a need to be hospitalized after the dog bite incident?
• Did the dog bite cause you medical expenditure?
• Did the dog bite cause any scar or abrasion?
• Did the dog bite cause any income loss?
• The extent of pain and suffering inflicted due to the dog bite

How much will I be Awarded?

The worth of your dog bite is decided on the basis of different factors related to the incident. A dog bite attorney, after considering all the major factors related to the case can help you determine the worth of your case. And the best part is that most of these attorneys get paid on contingency basis, which do not require you to pay anything unless you recover compensation from the dog owner or his insurance company. It is recommended that you get a free evaluation of your dog bite case from a competent dog bite attorney to maximize the compensation.

Why do dogs bite?

There are many reasons why dogs bite people. The following are some of the reasons that will help explain why or how they are provoked:

1) Dogs are Natural Predators: Majority of the dogs are loving and caring human companions. But it is also a fact that all dogs can be aggravated to bite anyone or anything. Any dog which is made to feel threatened, angry or hurt is bound to attack the onlooker. Nevertheless there are few dogs which have great predatory instincts and are trained to be aggressive in nature, and hence can attack with or without provocation.

2) Dogs Bite to Protect Their Territory: Dogs are highly protective in nature. Not only do dogs protect things they care about, but they are also very protective of their territories. Any threat to their territory or space, and the dog may not hesitate to attack the intruder.

3) Dogs Like to Be Leaders: Dogs like to be the leaders of their packs. It is not uncommon for dogs to prove their dominance over other family members by biting. Any trials of dominance should be curbed during the initial days of training to avoid inconvenience in the future.

There are several other reasons which can make a dog feel insecure, and hence can lead to a dog bite. Owners of dogs should take enough care to reduce instances of dog bites. This can be done by encouraging conscientious dog ownership among the family members of the pet. Since majority of the dog bite cases have children as victims, teaching children the basics of safe behavior around pets can help to prevent most cases of dog bites.

Dogs are generally kind and loving animals but accidents, bad moods, and injuries do happen.  Understanding how to stop this problem comes from first knowing who is at risk.

Children at Greatest Risk

Children are at the highest risk of being bitten by dogs.  Among children, ages 5 to 9 are most likely to receive medical treatment for a bite.  Although the numbers of dog bites to children is decreasing, it is important to know that each year almost 30,000 people undergo reconstructive surgery due to dog bites.  Most of the surgeries are children.

Adults also are at risk for receiving dog bites.  An adult male is more likely to be bitten then an adult female but risks are associated with both genders.

More Dogs = More Bites

Homes with dogs dramatically increase the incidence of dog bites.  As the number of dogs in the home increases so does the likelihood of a bite.  Adults with a dog in their home are 5 times more likely to be bitten by a dog.

Dog Bite Prevention

With the amount of dog bites in America, it is vital that everyone knows how to properly treat dogs.  Understanding dog’s behavior as well as preventative measures will also insure safety around aggressive dogs for both children and adults.  Additionally preparing your home and dog to make the adjustments to new ownerships will increase the safety to both yourself and your family as well as to the dog’s behavior.

There are many ways to prevent dog bites from occurring.  The easiest way is by learning simple tips to help adults and children understand what to do around dogs.  There are two ways to prevent dogs in your home from biting, the first is by preparing your home before the dogs arrive and the second is by preparing the dog to enter your home.

Preparing your home for a new dog:

• Check the dog’s history.  Make sure the dog does not have a history of aggression.  If the dog does have an aggressive history, it is best not to bring them to your home with children.
• Consult a veterinarian or animal breeder to find the right type of dog for your home.  Certain breeds will react better to children, different space requirements, and outdoor situations.
• Spend time with the dog.  Before bringing the dog into your home take your children to see it and spend time with it.  This will alleviate the fears of the children and the apprehension of the dog upon arriving to a new home with new owners.  This is especially useful if toddlers or infants are in the home.  The more time you spend with the dog before bringing them into their new environment the better.

Preparing your dog for a new home:

• Spay or neuter your dog before bringing it into a new home.  By doing this early your dog will become less aggressive which will reduce its tendencies to bite.
• Don’t treat your dog aggressively.  Just as the dog should treat you and your children well, it is important for you treat your dog with equal kindness.  Wrestling or other aggressive games will teach your dog to be rough with you and potentially your children.
• Teach your dog submissive behaviors.  Training your dog to enter your household requires your dog to understand certain commands of obedience.  Examples of submissive behavior include releasing food without growling and rolling over.  Other submissive behavior includes additional obedience commands.
• If your dog begins to become aggressive immediately seek advice from trained animal professionals.  By stopping aggressive behavior early, you can prevent any incidences of future dog bites.

Children and Dogs

Further steps can be taken to help children stay safe around dogs.  The following 5 steps are very basic but should be taught and reviewed with your children regularly:

1. Never approach an unfamiliar dog.
2. Never run or scream when approached by a dog you do not know.  Remain motionless until the dog moves away.
3. Always play with dogs only when supervised by an adult.  If bitten, immediately tell the nearest adult.
4. Never look a dog directly in the eye, disturb them while asleep or eating or pet them without letting them sniff you first.  Care should also be taken when interacting with dogs that are caring for newly born puppies.  Mother’s become protective and aggressive if they feel threatened for their offspring.  The easiest way to prevent problems at this stage is to keep children away from the puppies until the mother allows them to become more independent.
5. If knocked down, roll into a ball and remain still until the dog leaves or an adult approaches.  It is important for children to understand they that should not scream or run away if they are knocked down.  It will only encourage a dog to chase.

Cost of Dog Bites

The 4.5 million dog bites in the U.S. each year should not be ignored.  It is imperative that parents and adults take dog safety seriously to prevent dog bites and decrease aggressive animal behavior.  The current national cost of dog bites per year includes $40.5 million dollars in hospital charges alone.  An additional 25% would need to be added to the hospital cost to include physician services and later doctor’s visits.  The average cost per patient for a hospital visit is nearly $5,000, which does not include the additional costs for medical equipment and additional cost for emergency services the costs for preventative dog bites is staggering.  The Health Care Utilization Project (HCUP) estimates the total medical-related costs of injury for dog bites to be around $235 million per year.

In addition to financial costs to American families affected by dog bites is the emotional and human suffering.  With an average of 17 deaths, 330,000 emergency services and 6,000 hospitalizations per year the human effects cost a significant amount.  Fear caused by the dog bites can effect children for a life time and prevent them from coming near dogs without apprehension and alarm.  Also, the physical disfigurement caused by the bites can cause a loss of confidence and self-worth.

To prevent children and adults from dog bites it is important to then to educate the population about prevention methods.  Knowledge is the greatest tool in minimizing future bites and preventing friends, neighbors and children from being bitten.  The most important element in prevention is mutual respect and understanding when dealing with animals.  Giving dogs time to get to know you and their new surroundings will allow them to adjust to their new homes and the people in them.  By learning the valuable tips mentioned above parents can teach their children how to deal with dogs and prevent aggressive behaviors so they can live peacefully together.   With such high human and economic costs, the impact justifies further efforts to educate both children and adults in preventing aggressive dog behavior and limiting dog bites.

Should You Hire a Dog Bite Attorney?

Many dog bite laws in the U.S. aim to compensate victims for the financial, physical and psychological pain and suffering experienced by the victim. There may also be statute of limitations, which means that you may have a limited amount of time to take your dog bite case to court.

Finding a dog bite attorney in your area is the first step in helping you recoup any financial loss that occurred as a result of the attack. An experienced dog bite attorney can help you recover any future loss (ie time off from work) and help you retrieve the appropriate compensation for the physical and psychological pain that occurred as a result of the attack.

Recently, the dog bite cases in U.S. have increased considerably making it important to understand your liabilities as an owner. It is equally crucial to be aware of the different ways in which you can protect yourself from financial disaster if your pet bites someone.

Dog bite laws differ from state to state. A dog bite lawyer is the best person to contact to understand dog bite laws in your particular jurisdiction. At the same time there are some basic laws which are applicable through most of the U.S.. These laws include:

Strict Liability Laws

As the name implies, strict liability laws hold the owner responsible for all injuries and damages caused by your pet. Some exceptions to this rule are tresspassers, veterinarians or someone who provokes the dog. California, New Jersey and Ohio are some of the states in U.S. which follow the strict liability law concerning dog bites.

One Bite Laws

Many states give their citizens the liberty to be free of liability for their pet’s first bite. That is, you are not held liable for the injuries and damage caused by the first bite of your dog, provided you have not violated any other related law and provided you were not already aware of your dog’s dangerous behavior. Texas and Virginia are couple of the states that use the one bite laws.

Negligence

Majority of the states hold the owner of the pet responsible for all the damages and injuries caused by the pet, which could have been avoided if the owner of the pet had exercised caution and vigilance.

Hiring a competent dog bite lawyer can certainly minimize the loss and hence it would be in your best interest to contact an dog bite attorney immediately after your dog has bitten somebody.

Owners are Responsible and Liable for Dogs

Dog bite laws hold the dog owner responsible for all the injuries caused by the dog, whether the attack took place on public or private property. Depending on the state that you live in, your local jurisdiction may hold the dog owner responsible for any damages incurred if the dog trespassed. This part of the law makes the dog owner responsible for limiting the dog to his own territory, or else the owner will be held responsible for the damages and losses.

Negligence

If the pet owner happens to overlook the dangerous behavior of the dog, and if dog injurs a person or another animal, then the owner of the pet may be held liable for the dog’s actions. The legal term which is commonly used for the owner’s knowledge of the foreseeable harm due to the pet is ‘scienter’.

There are different ways of establishing a scienter, and it is the responsibility of the dog bite lawyer to determine whether or not you will be entitled to monetary compensation for the attack.

Dog bite laws in U.S. differs from state to state. Many states hold owners responsible for the injury or damage, irrespective of the dog’s behavior in the past. That means that the dog owner may be held responsible for the dog’s action even if the dog has not exhibited any aggressive behavior in the past. Research and retain a qualified dog bite attorney for any of your legal or monetary dog bite related issues.

It is estimated that an experienced dog bite attorney can recover 66% more than what would have been recovered without the attorney’s intervention. Additionally, many dog bite lawyers works on a contingency basis, which means that there is no out of pocket expense unless you settle or win your case.

The following are some examples of when you may want to consider hiring a dog bite attorney:

• The dog injurs you or your family. When you or someone you know is bit by a dog, you run the risk of developing severe pain and/or infection. Additionally, you run the risk of financial loss as a result the attack because of missed work or medical expenses. Depending on the state, you may also be compensated for the physical and psychological pain, as well as future financial loss, as a result of the dog bite. You should seek a qualified dog bite attorney to learn more if you have a case.
• The dog bites your pet. In addition to people, dogs can also bite your pets such as dog, cat or any other domesticated animal. As with humans, these dog bites can lead to severe injuries and infections, which in turn would result in huge expenses for you in the form of veterinary bills.

Dog bite laws may differ from state to state. By hiring the right dog bite attorney who has a thorough knowledge of your legal and monetary rights, you are taking the necessary steps to ensure that your rights are protected and that you will be compensated accordingly.