Many people own dogs, but not all of them will properly train their dogs. In these instances, it is more likely for their dog to bite someone including you. While it is their responsibility to train their dog, there are behaviors you can take to avoid being bitten.
Be Mindful of Your Body Language
When you are around a dog you are unfamiliar with, you can avoid being bitten by being mindful of your body language. It is important that you make an effort to relax your body. You can also soften your expression and don’t maintain direct eye contact. This behavior can be intimidating to dogs. A dog may also become threatened if you approach them head on or lean over them. Instead, turn your body to the side to appear less threatening and crouch down to their level. The way you act around a dog can have a major impact on their reaction to you, so you should make an effort to appear calm and non-threatening.
Know the Signs of Aggressive Behavior
You can also avoid being bitten if you can identify aggressive behavior in dogs. Recognizing this behavior can help you know when you should walk away or leave a dog alone. There are several types of body language you can observe in a dog that indicate aggressive behavior. In the face, they will likely wrinkle their muzzle, tighten their muscles, or show their teeth while growling. The rest of their body may become stiff or rigid. Their tail may also be held straight up and the hair on their back wil stand up. Dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior may also stare directly ahead. If you recognize any of this behavior, you should give the dog some space and not irritate it further.
Don’t Antagonize the Dog
While many dog bites can result from a lack of training, there are also many dog bites that are caused by the behavior of the person who is bitten. If you antagonize a dog and it bites you, then you can’t exactly hold the owner responsible. You should never tease or startle a dog. Don’t bother it while it’s eating or sleeping. Don’t chase a dog and don’t get between a dog and its owner. Be respectful of the dog and this can help you avoid any injury.
In a dog bite case, it can be difficult to determine the party at fault. For your benefit, you should make it a habit to avoid being the cause of a dog bite. Your actions can help you to stay safe and avoid being at fault in the event you are bitten.
Contacting a personal injury lawyer can help you in your dog bite case.