Why dogs bite children

Studies show that boys aged 5 to 9 are bitten by dogs five times more than any other group of people.

The loud, energetic, and sometimes aggressive actions of boys can mimic the behavior of young dogs during play.

Dogs usually bite each other when playing, and the faster and louder children behave, the more stimulated dogs can become.

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Furthermore, dogs also bite when they dislike the way someone is playing with them.

Observe a dog’s behavior for signs of frustration:

• a turned back

• lying down

• a curled lip

• obvious growling.

Children often tug on dogs’ ears, pull their tails, or jump on their backs, which some dogs may tolerate, but others can grow tired of quickly.

To be safe, learn more about children-pet interactions, including teaching kids how to care for and behave around pets, as well as choosing the right dog for your family.

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WHY DOGS BITE

Due to the rising number of dogs biting children, researchers in Philadelphia conducted a study to understand the reasons behind it.

They examined 111 cases of dog bites involving 103 dogs from 41 different breeds over four years.

The study revealed notable patterns: Usually dogs exhibited territorial behavior, anxiety, or medical issues when the biting incidents occurred.

These findings were reported in the medical journal Injury Prevention.

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While adults may use common sense and avoid touching a dog in pain, kids might not be able to recognize when a dog is hurting.

The primary cause of aggression in dogs is territorial behavior.

• Dogs are more likely to bite children under 6 years old when they perceived the kids as a threat to take their food or toys.

• Older children are bitten when dogs felt the kids were intruding on their territory.

A dog is more likely to bite children they knew while guarding their food.

They are also more likely to bite unfamiliar children while protecting their territory.

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This article was compiled with the help of Artificial Intelligence