As I conducted a thorough review of the literature on dog bites for this article, I discovered an interesting observation: the dog owner, trainer or breeder is more often than not, responsible for the presence of the factors that determine whether or not a dog will bite under specific circumstances. And, it's also human interaction that ultimately results in the dog's aggression. I suppose this could be the root of the adage "There's no such thing as a bad dog, only bad dog owners."
Causes
If you have a good handle on why a dog may bite you, you can often take the necessary precautions. So let's take a look at the reasons a dog may bite you.
Fear, surprise
Fear aggression can be caused by unexpected quick movements, loud noises, approaching the dog from a blind side, or abruptly waking a sleeping dog. Dogs that are already in an anxious or nervous state are more prone to biting from fear aggression. It's the "flight or fight" instinct. Not given the proper time or avenue to escape from the source of fear or surprise, the "fight" reaction will dominate. Children are most prone to being victimized by a fear biter because they don't understand the proper way to approach a dog.
Excitement, over exuberance
Rough housing with your dog is fun. Fun for you and your dog. However, when play gets too rough, the dog may begin playing with you the same way he plays with other dogs. Lacking hands, dogs resort to their mouth to grab. As the dog gets more and more excited, he may unintentionally bite his human playmate. Again, being the intelligent animal, it's up to us to know when play gets out of hand. Another scenario that may lead to an unintentional bite is an overly exuberant greeting. Again, a dog needs to be properly trained to exhibit restraint when company arrives.
Pain from sickness or injury
Pain causes confusion in a dog. Anyone who approaches a sick or injured dog risks being perceived as the source of the pain, and the dog may bite to stop the pain. When a dog is in pain, he doesn't understand where the pain comes from. If you touch him, he may think you are causing the pain and he could bite you to stop the pain. Senior dogs who are often afflicted with painful joints or teeth are very prone to pain-elicited aggression. In general, they'll have a lower tolerance to normally accepted, even welcomed behaviors of their human family members.
Protecting possessions or territory
Dominance aggression is aggressive behavior usually directed to family members who take something from the dog, or pet, hug, pick the dog up, or disturb the dog while it is resting.
Protective or territorial aggression can cause a dog to bite when an intruder (stranger or otherwise) encroaches or grabs a toy, bone, food bowl, blanket or any prized possession from the dog's personal space. Dogs will protect anything important to them or their own territory - like their bed, yard, house, even his car when he's riding in it. Dogs that are properly socialized will be less prone to dominance aggression, but to minimize the chances of being bitten by an overly protective dog, use common sense when approaching dogs.
Poorly trained, socialized and maintained or subjected to abuse and neglect
Dogs have the capacity more than most other species to display an exceptional synergistic relationship with humans. That is, they truly will display extreme loyalty towards an owner who in turn provides the dog with not just its basic needs, but does it with kindness and attentiveness. Conversely, dogs who have not been exposed to the nurturing of a loving home, who have not had a stable environment do not always tap into this capacity for loyalty. Without socialization, obedience training, and plain old love and affection, the wild instincts of survival will dominate. Dogs that have had to defend themselves against abuse and fend for themselves due to abandonment, will have a stronger tendency to bite.
Other causes
Sometimes we overestimate a dog's level of tolerance towards touching (especially ears, nose, tails). Children in particular also will innocently disturb a sleeping dog. A mother with puppies can exhibit overly protective aggression. If a dog is agitated by an unobvious disturbance and we approach we may be bitten from redirected aggression. All of these are scenarios that could result in a dog bite.
Warning Signs
Hopefully as a devoted owner, you will eventually be able to read your dog's moods. But these warning signs are useful to know when you approach an unfamiliar dog. This list isn't comprehensive but it includes the signs I consider most prevalent and the easiest to interpret.
The no-brainer sign - when a dog is growling or showing its teeth. Something is obviously troubling this dog. If its you doing something to the dog - stop doing it and give the dog his space.
Look for ears that are laid back against the dogs head, stiff legs if the dog is laying down, or the hair on the dog's nape of the neck is raised up. The dog is trying to warn you that he feels threatened and may feel the need to protect himself against approaching humans.
Dogs in numbers need to be approached more cautiously due to the pack mentality. Docile dogs have been known to become vicious when under the influence of other dogs.
A dog alone in his yard without the owner in sight can more easily exhibit dominance aggression or become very protective.
Some breeds, due to their "purpose in life" as prescribed by misguided owners are more prone towards aggressive behavior. Usually because they've been encouraged or trained to be so. Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Akitas, and Chows to name a few.
Tethered dogs are normally more prone to aggression probably because they feel less able to flee from a threat, so they resort to a defensive posture.
Forgive the profiling here, but facts do indicate that males bite more than females, and unneutered males more than neutered males.
Unfamiliarity certainly contributes to the incidence of dog bites. A dog new to a home, or a person new to the home that has had a dog resident for a period of time increases the chance that a bite will occur. As a rule-of-thumb, newness is normally considered within the first two or three months.
Once you pinpoint the reason or reasons for your dog's tendency to bite, you're in a good position to correct the negative behavior. Biting can be corrected in many cases. There are plenty of resources available to train you to train your dog to be well behaved. I provide a link to such a resource below. Good luck.
Make the experience of adopting an older dog - or even a pup - a positive one for you and your dog. Begin training your new family member immediately. For information on the most comprehensive, economical and easy-to-use dog training manual I've found, visit this post on my blog - DogsRpeople2: Secrets to Dog Training! It's available for immediate download.
I created my blog to reach and encourage others who may be considering dog adoption. It provides visitors with actionable information, wonderful stories about successful adoptions, resources that will enable them to help others; and, even the opportunity to post pictures and a story of their own dog. I invite you to visit and join the conversation - http://butdogsrpeople2.blogspot.com/.
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