I’ve been bitten by a number of dogs.
It’s not that I’m a poor canine handler, however I’ve dealt with a few thousand dogs, as well as when you work with dogs all day, sooner or later you’re going to get bitten.
I’ve worked as a canine walker as well as pet sitter as well as likewise at a boarding kennel, in addition to fostering dogs.
I believed I’d share a few of the errors I’ve made (there are method much more than 5), since it’s always a great concept for us “dog people” to stop as well as evaluation exactly how to behave around dogs.
Please share any type of errors you’ve made as well. If we can avoid even one canine bite, it will be worth it.
Mistakes I’ve made that led to canine bites
1. Knowingly pushing a dog’s limits.
This is where I’ve gotten in difficulty numerous times. I’m conscious of the dog’s prospective aggression, as well as I push the dog’s limits.
Unfortunately, we canine enthusiasts in some cases like to believe that “oh, dogs like me” or “oh, I understand dogs.” Well, yes, however if we understand dogs, then we requirement to respect them as well as keep in mind the truth that dogs can bite us, as well as they will.
For example, a good friend asked me to find over as well as provide treats to her fear-aggressive dog. All was going fine with this up until I chose “just to try” to pet the dog. Well, that was an extremely dumb as well as unfair idea, as well as I got what I deserved.
2. stepping as well close to a dog’s food bowl.
I was bitten in the ankle while stepping as well close to dog’s food bowl while she was eating.
This occurred at the boarding kennel I worked at. I’m the one who provided her the food in her pen, as well as then I must’ve stepped over the bowl while counting on leave.
I didn’t understand this canine extremely well, as well as she didn’t understand me. I should’ve understood to location her bowl away from where I’d be walking to get out of her pen.
You may recall one more time when I composed about getting unfairly close to a rescue dog’s food bowl.
See my post: exactly how to avoid a puppy’s food aggression.
3. getting up close as well as personal.
Thankfully, this hasn’t resulted in a canine biting me that I recall, however I’ve been growled at oh so numerous times for providing dogs hugs or just getting as well close to their risk-free location such as a kennel.
Once a canine growls at me, I feel extremely poor for my impolite behavior. Thankfully, the dogs have always had great communication skills as well as chose to caution me very first rather than bite.
Lesson: Be cautious about which dogs you hug or put your deal with close to. even if the canine understands you, he may not be comfortable with you putting your arms over him or around him. This is truly invasive habits on our part, as well as fortunately many dogs put up with it well.
4. putting as well much count on in others.
Sometimes I count on other canine people to make wise options around the dogs I’m handling, as well as this backfires.
For example, grown adults would in some cases reach out to pet my fear-aggressive foster canine without asking. He’s the white canine you see in the pics.
This resulted in a nip much more than once, as well as while nobody has any type of companies petting a canine without asking, I’m still accountable for the canine I’m handling.
5. rough play as well as dogs snatching toys or treats.
My canine Ace has nipped my hand unintentionally while trying to get his rope toy from me, however only after I’ve gotten him additional excited.
I’ve likewise put my hands in the mix between Ace as well as my parents’ canine Elsie while they were playing tug of war as well as I obviously chose to join.
What a dumb thing to do.
When dogs are thrilled as well as grabbing with their mouths, of program they can accidently bite our hands.
Seriously, I might go on as well as on with the errors I’ve made, however I’ll keep the listing to just five items. Please share your own examples if you have any. Or possibly things you’ve seen other people do.
Have you made any type of dumb errors around dogs?
What guidance do you have for others around dogs? let me understand in the comments.
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