Dog bites can lead to serious injuries. When interacting with someone’s dog or with your own dog, it is crucial to know the signs that may come ahead of a dog bite. Most animals give some form of warning in advance. According to the Spruce Pets, it may be a matter of humans not recognizing those signs.
A major mistake that people make when interacting with dogs is assuming that a wagging tail is always a good sign. Too often dog bite victims claim that the dog wagged its tail until the second it bit. Dogs can wag their tails in times of stress. The way to tell the difference is in how its body moves. A happy dog will move its entire body when wagging its tail, whereas an aggressive or fearful dog will remain rigid.
This rigid posture is always a telltale sign of aggression. It is a warning that the dog could bite at any moment. Dogs may also turn their heads or avert their gaze while licking their lips and yawning. These are anxious signs that you should look out for in a nervous animal.
The more obvious signs include fearful cowering, whale-eyeing and other fear responses. If a dog acts afraid, it is best not to approach or push the dog into a more uncomfortable situation. Keep in mind that a fearful dog is also a defensive dog. While growling and snapping are warning signs, they are also the most obvious. When a dog growls and snaps, most people know not to approach the dog. However, people become more confused when it comes to stiffened body language and tail wagging.
