When talking with clients, especially those with children or ones with little animal experience, the following information may help them to avoid being bitten by a dog.

Tip #1. Approach all dogs with safety in mind.

When moving into a dog’s territory, always enter with caution, especially when it’s not familiar with you.

Never approach a dog that can’t see you, not even one that is tied up or confined behind a fence. If you must be in its area, calmly get its attention and then let it sniff you before moving any closer.

Tip #2. Never disturb a dog.

Whenever possible, if the animal is asleep or focused on something else, leave it alone.

Never interrupt or bother a dog that is, for example:

• Eating
• Caring for its puppies
• Chewing on a toy or a bone.

Tip #3. Never tease a dog.

Dogs don’t understand teasing. Never attempt to play with them by taking away their treats, food, or toys.

Teach children to be gentle and to never:

• Yank on the ears, tail or legs
• Try to sit on the animal
• Pull its hair
• Look in its mouth
• Get down in its face to hug or give it a kiss. 

Tip #4. Watch for observable physical changes.

When a dog is feeling tense or uncomfortable, it may express the way it feels through body language. The following physical changes should be taken as a warning that the animal is feeling either threatened or uncomfortable and may bite:

• A dog may show signs of aggression, including:
  • Intense stare
  • Ears held up and forward
  • Hair along the ridge of its back and tail stands up
  • Tail may stiffen and be held straight up (Keep in mind, though, that some dogs wag their tails when aggressive.)
  • Tense body
  • Bared teeth
  • Growling
  • Lunging when secured on a line or behind a fence
  • Barking
  • Moving forward with a stiffened gait
• A dog that is scared or feeling anxious may be observed to:
  • Crouch to the ground
  • Lower its head
  • Lick its lips repeatedly
  • Tuck its tail between its legs
  • Flatten its ears back
  • Yawn
  • Look away
  • Roll over on its back, exposing its stomach
  • Slowly turn and try to move away.

    Keep in mind that an animal that feels it is being threatened and has no other options than to defend itself may bite.

    Tip #5. What to do when you feel a dog is going to attack

    When in a situation with an approaching animal that seems ready to bite, remember that a dog’s natural instinct is to chase.

• Never turn your back on an aggressive animal or try to run away.
• Do not scream; stay as quiet as possible
• Try not to move and keep your hands at your sides
• Watch the animal, but avoid making eye contact.

Children may be taught to “act like a tree.” Remaining motionless until the animal loses interest will help to prevent being bitten. Once the animal loses interest and you are no longer drawing its attention, slowly back away until you have moved out of its line of sight.

Tip #6. Protect yourself during an attack.

When attacked, put anything that you can between you and the animal. “Feed” the animal your coat, book bag, purse, groceries in an attempt to divert its attention from you.

If you are pulled or fall down to the ground, protect yourself by:

• Curling into a ball, pulling your knees up to protect your stomach
• Interlocking your fingers behind your neck to protect it while covering your ears with your forearms
• Remaining motionless
• Not screaming.

Helping clients understand why they need to remain aware of their environment, as well as how to watch for signs that could indicate animal aggression, may help them to prevent being bitten by a dog.

Your Covetrus representative has suggestions for helping clients with their pets, contact us at 855.724.3461.