Levels 1 and 2, which include no bites to teeth touching skin but with no punctures, are the most common. In between are Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5, describing various degrees of damage caused by bites. The scale runs from Level 1 where the dog may be showing aggressive behavior but without any contact to the skin to Level 6 where the dog has killed someone. Ian Dunbar, the noted expert on dog behavior, created a scale to assess and classify dog bites. There are many different scenarios where individual dogs may feel the need to bite and every dog and every scenario is unique.īites can range from an air snap, such as the one Sisko used, to very serious bites that cause death. In fact, more dog bites are the result of fear than of aggression. Many dogs will bite when they are frightened or cornered with no means of escape. Dogs can bite to protect what is theirs or when they feel they are threatened. It was a definite reaffirmation that even the best dogs, even well-trained dogs, can bite in certain situations.ĭogs will bite when they are hurt, as Sisko demonstrated, or when they are sick. He had hurt himself, so we went back to our campsite to take care of him. I was able to use his leash to muzzle him so that we could check his paw. It was an air snap, he didn't touch her, but it was a clear warning that he was hurt and was willing to defend and protect that paw. My friend was closest to him so went to check on his paw and when she touched it he snapped at her. However, shortly he began limping and then holding up his paw. He continued to run so I assumed all was well. He yelped but immediately pulled his paw free. One day while hiking, Sisko, one of my Australian Shepherds, was running around in an area where the dogs could be off leash and at some point got a rear paw stuck between two rocks. We had a great camping spot and dogs and humans both were having a great time. We were up in the mountains, about 6000 feet elevation, under the redwoods, and several hours from home. Several years ago my dogs and I went camping with a friend and her dogs.
The reality is, though, that any dog, every dog, is capable of biting. Most dog owners feel that their dog will never bite a human. In addition, potential alterations in intraspecies communication, other social behaviors, and welfare need to be explored in more detail.Talking to dog owners about dog bites and the need to introduce a muzzle is hard very hard.īut it's a discussion I have several times a week. The results of this survey indicate a need to educate dog owners on muzzle fit and training protocols to reduce negative effects on dog welfare. Observed physical damage of either fur or skin and effects on thermoregulation and the ocular or gastrointestinal tract were reported by 161 (12.9%) owners. Negative effects on the behavior when wearing a muzzle were reported by 19.6% of owners and labeled with the terms ‘insecure, apathetic, dull, passive, distressed, anxious, unwell, agitated, nervous, tense, sad, or miserable.’ Changes in the dog behavior were perceived as an advantage with respect to inability to access food (41.9%) and when used for veterinary visits (30.9%). Using food during muzzle training significantly decreased levels of passive avoidance during fastening and increased the likelihood of dogs actively putting their nose into the muzzle. The muzzle introduction technique (habituation, short training, intense training, no preparation) used significantly impacted on adverse behaviors observed when wearing a muzzle for the first time and on the ongoing behavior when muzzled such as trying to pull the muzzle off, rubbing the nose against objects, or freezing.
Although basket-type muzzles (made of BioThane, plastic, wire) were used most often, only 71.3% reported a fit not clearly impairing dog welfare. Public transport and crowded public places were situations where muzzles were used most often. Around half of the owners stated that their dog wears a muzzle only when mandatory by legislation (47.8%) and/or when necessary to prevent a bite (47.5%). Of 1,862 respondents, only 21.6% indicated their dog never wears a muzzle (average age: 5.8 ± 3.6 years). Hence, this study collected data via an online survey on the frequency and circumstances of muzzle use and observed effects on dogs when wearing a muzzle by also incorporating training techniques and muzzle types used. However, detailed information on an ideal type of muzzle, muzzle fit, introduction techniques to wearing a muzzle, and effects of muzzle use on the physical condition and behavior of dogs is very limited. Ongoing discussions within different national authorities are trying to balance the safety of the public against welfare of dogs when being walked. Specific situations and legal requirements in some countries require dogs to wear a muzzle on a regular basis.