What are the reasons why dogs like to bite people

When we are caught off guard by the sharp teeth of a dog, the pain in our bodies and the shock in our hearts intertwine. Looking at the innocent and confused eyes of the dog again, apart from anger, there is more confusion and worry. Why do dogs bite people? The reason behind this not only concerns the behavioral health of dogs, but also determines whether we can coexist harmoniously with them. As the closest companion of dogs, it is necessary for us to explore the truth behind dog bites with professional knowledge and full care.

During the puppy stage, biting people is often their way of exploring the world. Puppies are like human babies, curious about everything around them. In their cognition, the mouth is an important exploration tool. By gnawing and licking, they can understand the shape, texture, and taste of objects. When puppies play with their peers, they also simulate biting actions, which is their unique social interaction. If the puppy is not properly guided at this stage, it may extend this exploration and interactive behavior to interact with humans. For example, when puppies are excited, they may lightly bite our hands and feet with their teeth. In their eyes, this is an expression of friendliness and playfulness, but for us, it can easily cause harm.

The period of tooth replacement is also a high-risk period for dog biting behavior. Generally speaking, puppies enter the tooth replacement period from 3 to 6 months old and continue until around 8 months old. During this period, the dog's baby teeth gradually fall out, permanent teeth begin to grow, and the gums become itchy and painful. To alleviate this discomfort, dogs will search for things to bite on, and our hands, feet, and clothing may become their targets. Watching the dog anxiously gnaw on everything around us due to discomfort during the tooth replacement period, we feel both heartbroken and helpless.

Many times, dogs bite people to attract our attention. Dogs have a deep emotional dependence on their owners and crave constant companionship and care from them. When they feel ignored, they may attract our attention through extreme ways such as biting people. For example, when we are focused on our phones or other tasks for a long time and ignore our dog's calls and affectionate behavior, the dog may suddenly come over and bite our pants, trying to make us stop what we are doing and play with them.

Fear and self-defense are also important reasons why dogs bite people. Dogs have a very keen sense of hearing and smell, and can feel fearful of unfamiliar sounds, smells, and environments. When they feel their safety is threatened, they instinctively choose to bite people to protect themselves. For example, when a dog encounters a stranger who suddenly approaches or hears a loud noise, it may bite someone out of fear. In addition, dogs that have been abused or traumatized in the past are filled with fear and anxiety, and remain vigilant about people and things around them, making them more prone to biting behavior.

Dogs with strong territorial awareness may also bite people in order to defend their territory. In the cognition of dogs, the space they live in, such as their kennel, yard, and even their owner, is their territory. When they feel their territory is being violated, they will warn the other party by growling and showing their teeth. If the other party does not leave, the dog may launch an attack. For example, when a stranger enters a home, a dog may perceive its territory as threatened and bite them.

Health issues cannot be ignored either. When a dog is unwell, it may become irritable and easily bite people. For example, dogs with oral diseases, due to gum pain, will be more sensitive and hostile towards people or objects near their mouths. Diseases such as gastrointestinal discomfort and arthritis can also cause emotional instability in dogs due to pain, increasing the risk of biting.

In the face of dog biting behavior, we cannot simply punish them, but need to deeply understand the reasons behind it and take targeted measures. For the exploration and biting behavior of puppies during tooth replacement, we can provide them with sufficient grinding toys to guide their attention to the toys. When dogs engage in biting behavior, make a stop sound in a timely manner to tell them that this behavior is not allowed. For dogs that bite people in order to attract attention, we should provide them with sufficient companionship and care. When the dog gains our attention in the right way, we should give timely praise and rewards. For dogs that bite people due to fear and self-defense, we need to help them overcome their fear and gradually adapt to new environments and things. For dogs with strong territorial awareness, we need to provide appropriate training to help them understand which behaviors are appropriate. At the same time, regularly take dogs to the veterinarian to ensure their physical health and reduce biting behavior caused by discomfort.

Dogs are our most loyal companions in life, providing us with unconditional love and companionship. When they exhibit biting behavior, we should approach it with understanding and tolerance, using professional knowledge and patience to help them break this bad habit. Let's work together to create a safe and harmonious living environment for dogs, and continue to write warm and beautiful stories between humans and dogs.