Erin Askeland is an expert dog trainer and behavior expert. He works at Camp Bow Wow and has given us a list of signs showing when a dog is likely to bite. See below:
• Lip licking, yawning, wide eyes, and spiked fur: These are all are indicators of a stressed dog. It is important to always asses the exact situation.
• Growling and snapping: Never try to get a dog to stop growling; we WANT it to growl, as it lets us know that he/she is uncomfortable.
• A stiff wagging rail: A dog that is experiencing stress will wag its tail in a stiff manner.
• Averting their gaze: Avoidance behavior indicates that the dog is not comfortable with the particular situation.
• Cowering or tail tucking: This behavior indicates that a dog is fearful.
• Backing away or hiding: Whether the dog backs itself into a corner or tries to hide (under a chair, table, bed, crate, etc.), this is a clear indication that the dog is uncomfortable and trying to escape.
Whether it’s from stress, fear, or simple anger, sometimes dogs simply want to lash out. It’s not because they are vicious or cruel, they just need to express their stress. After all, they may be our fur kids but they are also animals!
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