Dogs are considered man’s best friend but this does not mean that they are always going to act the way you think they will. Whether you are walking around a neighborhood in Prince Georges, visiting someone who has a dog or encounter a dog being walked by its owner, it’s important to know the signs of a potential bite.
Petful.com points out that there are several behaviors or signs a dog uses to send a message that you should keep your distance. These include the following:
- Growling low in the throat
- Barking
- Showing its teeth
- Staring down the person or animal
- Standing with chest thrust outward and legs at a longer space from each other
While these are obvious visual signs, there are more behaviors that you should also be on the lookout for. If a dog is wagging its tail in a stiff manner or is holding its tail high, it could be feeling threatened. This is a sign that the dog is feeling a lot of energy. Other signs may include yawning, which is a way for the dog to show its teeth, fur standing up on the back, licking of the lips, and acting in a manner that would be considered non-social.
Some dogs are capable of biting without giving any obvious signs. This could be a result of the dog’s training. For example, when dogs bark or growl, their owners may have corrected them. Yet, this is how dogs communicate with other dogs and humans they don’t know. The dogs may learn not to bark or growl, but the training has not taught them that biting is unacceptable. Therefore, they may lash out without any vocal sign.