Norfolk dog trainer says socialising pets can help reduce chances of biting
Dogs Trust says 71% of owners wrongly believe they are more likely to be bitten by a dog they don’t know than by their own pet
Last updated 12th Sep 2024
A dog trainer in Norfolk is telling us that owners need to make sure their pets are well socialised throughout their lives - to help reduce the chances of them biting somebody.
Work from a national charity shows that three quarters of those who have dogs don't recognise some of the early warning signs that could prevent them from attacking others.
"Lip licking and excessive yawning are two"
Damion Vicent is from 'Fetch Dog Walking and Training', based near Norwich.
He told us what can prompt our pets to act in this way: "There is usually a stimulus which is causing the reaction.
"That could be that they are 'resource guarding' something like a toy, a chew or even you, the owner. If they take themselves away into a quiet space, that's their way of saying they need some space."
He told us more about what we should be keeping an eye out for: "Lip licking and excessive yawning are two.
"The third is something called 'Whale Eye', which is where a dog will turn itself away but continue to look at you from the side of its eye."
The main findings of this work:
According to a National Dog Survey by Dogs Trust:
-71% of owners wrongly believe they are more likely to be bitten by a dog they don’t know than by their own pet.
-76% are unable to correctly read dog body language, misunderstanding the subtle signs that their pets are stressed or worried.
-Owners should look out for subtle changes in body language, such as their ears going back, tension in their body, or their tail tucked under.
What does the data show?
Data from NHS Digital shows that 9,277 people needed hospital treatment for a dog bite between 2022 and last year- the highest number recorded since 2012.