Dog biting its owner? What to do if my dog bit me

There is no doubt that having a dog in our lives is one of those experiences that teaches you what love truly is; that adorable gaze and the feeling that our dog's life revolves entirely around us satisfies our very human need to be at the centre of another being's world — whether that being is a person or a dog hardly matters. But what happens if we have a dog that bites its owner? Does the idyll shatter? Will our relationship change forever? Will we be forced to fear our best friend?

Absolutely not. It is perfectly natural to feel upset, but there is no need to worry — our beloved dog will never do anything with the intention of hurting us. If a dog bites its owner, there is an underlying issue; we need to find it and resolve it, and in doing so everything will return to normal and our love story can continue undisturbed for all the time we have left to share together.

If the dog that bites its owner is vaccinated

Just to put our minds at ease, it is worth clarifying that if our dog bites us there is no reason to be overly concerned about our health. The greatest danger — rabies — has been eradicated in our country, so no vaccine for this disease is needed. What is important, however, is to disinfect the dog bite straight away: the best course of action is to wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, then disinfect it with hydrogen peroxide.

If the bite is not very deep, it is sufficient to visit your family doctor and assess whether or not a course of antibiotics is necessary. If, on the other hand, the dog bite is extensive, it is definitely preferable to go to the emergency room and have the wound sutured if needed. We should also mention, for the sake of clarity, that if the person who has been bitten has not had a tetanus vaccine, getting a tetanus shot is always a good idea — even when it is your own dog — given that a dog's mouth harbours bacteria that could cause infections.

What to do if my dog has bitten me

The first thing to consider when a dog bites its owner is the animal's age. It is well known that puppies have a tendency to nibble at everything and everyone. This is because, much like young children who put everything in their mouths, they use this method to explore — to discover new things and learn how to manage their emotions. If we play with a puppy, they will start to get over-excited and nibble at our hands; this is perfectly normal, but it is important to help the little one understand that this is not the right way to communicate with us.

Scolding them or using a threatening tone or attitude is not a good idea — it would only hurt their feelings. They are young and need to be guided. An excellent solution for a puppy that bites is to say a firm "no" straight away, look at them with a reproachful expression that they will pick up on immediately, stand up and gently move their mouth away from our hand, then offer them a dog chew toy — something that absolutely cannot be missing from a home that has a dog, whatever the dog's age. In this way, the puppy will understand that they can bite their toy, and we can reward and cuddle them so they learn that this behaviour pleases us, in contrast to when they were biting our hand.

If my dog has bitten me and is not a puppy

But if the dog is not really a puppy, what happens when it is our adult companion who bites us? There are several reasons why an adult dog may bite its owner, and none of them are the dog's fault. If our dog has not been trained properly, they may tend to believe they are the alpha of the household. Many dog breeds are naturally dominant by nature, and if we do not teach them in the right way who is in charge, they may try to overpower us — and if they perceive a reaction from us that they can interpret as a threat, they may bite.

So if my dog bites me, what could I do? Well, we could very likely turn to a dog trainer — a knowledgeable professional who can help us manage our dog, who may simply have a somewhat challenging temperament. Much more often, however, a dog bite is a reaction to something that is happening in that very moment. For example, if the dog is deeply focused on some activity and we approach from behind without warning, we risk startling them — in which case the bite is their instinctive reaction to a sudden perceived threat.

There are also certain moments when a dog simply does not want to be disturbed — for example, while eating. It can happen that we make the mistake of trying to take away their bowl while they are eating, even just to add more food. The dog interprets this behaviour as a direct attack, as if we were attempting to steal their food — their source of sustenance. In this case, too, the mistake is ours, and their reaction will once again be purely instinctive.

What to do if we have a dog that bites its owner

How do you teach a dog not to bite? There are some steps we can take to prevent our dog from biting us, and the first of these is to keep our own behaviour in check. We must never forget that our beloved dog — the one who looks at us with unconditional love in their eyes — is still an animal, and it is therefore essential to teach them how to live alongside us. First and foremost, never let them intimidate us: we are the owners and they are our loyal companion, who must obey and show respect. In return, they will receive all our affection and all the love we can give.

Let us teach our dog to be comfortable around people from puppyhood; it is important that they feel part of the pack and are not afraid of strangers. Let us try not to use an overly aggressive approach with our dog when they do something wrong — by now we all know that violence breeds more violence. However, let us not make the mistake of letting them believe that everything is permitted; if their way of playing becomes too aggressive, we should stop playing with them so that they understand they are doing something wrong. Let us not disturb them while they are eating or sleeping — if it is true that we must expect their respect, it is equally true that we are called to respect them in return. A dog is not a soft toy to be fussed over whenever we feel like it; they are a living being with a heart and a character, and this must always be taken into account.

A disobedient or aggressive dog

If our dog tends to be disobedient or aggressive, it may be due to something that happened to them when they were young. Let us not hesitate to seek help from someone who has made dog training their profession. Let us raise them using the same principles one would use to raise a child — giving them a great deal of love, but also rules to follow. Let us never lose sight of the household hierarchy and make sure they never forget it either. And let us never hit them — never, under any circumstances. Love brings love, rules bring discipline, and a well-trained dog brings happiness.