Dec 1, 20245 min read

Understanding Dog Bites: A Trainer's Perspective on Aggression, Euthanasia, and Treat-Free Training

Updated: Dec 11, 2024

“A dog is not a baby, and it is unhealthy for the dog when a human loves the dog to death.”

-Brad Pattison

A small white dog bears his teeth as a warning that he may bite. The treat is real for dog bites even when trying to put on a dog collar and leash. — A small white dog bears his teeth as a warning that he may bite. The threat is real for dog bites even when trying to put on a dog collar and leash.

This blog has a slightly different angle than most blogs written in the past. Welcome to Brad and Lexie’s dog training world. I was inspired to put this together due to a short conversation I had with an elderly lady in an elevator. As we stood quietly in the elevator, the elderly woman stood still, looking down to Rocket. Upon making eye contact with Rocket, her hand moved slowly towards her. Rocket reciprocated moving the same distance towards the frail fingers. Her words spoke to Rocket and her tail began to wag, Bodhi stood up and moved forward to receive a pat on his head. While speaking to the dogs, her voice soothing and delicate. These words followed “You’re not going to bite me”, tails wagging and a soft tongue lick from Bodhi greeted her hand. A joyful giggle and smile creased her aging face. Bodhi stood still as her fingers and palm landed on his head embracing gentle pats.

Six words, “You’re not going to bite me”, inspired this blog about dog bites.

Many people do not realize the dangers and challenges training dogs.

The statistics surrounding dog bites and subsequent euthanasia provide important insights into the challenges of managing dog aggression and the decisions faced by owners and professionals.

Dog Bites and Dog Trainers

There is no specific percentage of dog trainers bitten by dogs, but dog bites remain a significant issue in the U.S. and Canada. Over the past 15 years, dog bites have been consistent, with around 4.5 million bites annually in the U.S., and 1 in 5 of these requiring medical attention. Many bites occur due to inadequate training, poor socialization, or behavioural issues that escalate over time.

Euthanasia Due to Biting Dogs

The number of dogs euthanized due to aggression or biting varies by region and depends on policies, resources, and public attitudes. Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of dogs in North America are euthanized annually for behavioural reasons, including biting or attacks. A survey of veterinary professionals revealed that aggression is one of the leading causes of euthanasia when behavioural interventions fail, or safety risks are deemed too high for families or the community.

Other Factors in Euthanasia Decisions

Behavioural euthanasia is often considered when dogs pose significant risks to humans or other animals, especially if they cannot be safely managed or rehabilitated. Key factors include:

Severity and predictability of the aggression.
The owner's ability to manage the dog's behaviour safely.
Quality of life for the dog and household members.

In cases of extreme aggression, where intervention options like dog training or medication fail, euthanasia may be deemed a last resort by professionals, particularly to prevent severe injury or fatalities.

Paw Planning

Animal Wised

Clinician's Brief

Percentage of Dog Groomers Bitten:

Studies and industry surveys suggest that 30% to 50% of dog groomers report being bitten at least once during their careers.
Approximately 1 in 5 groomers experience a bite-related injury annually that requires medical attention or disrupts work.
Severity of Bites:
Most bites are minor injuries, such as scratches or superficial puncture wounds.
However, severe bites causing deep tissue damage, nerve injury, or infection occur less frequently but can have long-term effects and require professional medical care.
Frequency of Aggressive Incidents:
Groomers frequently encounter dogs exhibiting aggressive behaviour (barking, lunging, or biting) due to fear, anxiety, or past trauma.
The frequency of such incidents can range from 10% to 25% of appointments, depending on the clientele and the groomer’s experience.

 Dog Bites in General: In the U.S., approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur annually, with about 20% requiring medical attention. Children and those unfamiliar with a dog are most likely to be bitten.

Daily Dog Stuff

 Dog Training Industry Context: The U.S. dog training industry continues to grow, with various approaches such as treat-based training. However, safety practices among trainers and pet owners influence bite risks. The frequency of bites to trainers specifically is not tracked separately in most studies

 General Risks with Treat-Based Training: Some experts highlight that mismanaged treat training (e.g., inconsistent signals or rewarding aggressive behaviour) will increase the risk of bites. However, professional trainers often mitigate this through proper techniques and behaviour analysis. Treat based trainers often bait a dog with food hoping to bandage solution the issue. The issue of aggression can never be resolved with treats. Behaviour modification and a full commitment from the dog owner is imperitive for a chance of success.

In Mexico, it is estimated that around 100,000 to 150,000 people are bitten by dogs annually, though exact numbers can vary due to underreporting. The majority of these incidents involve stray dogs, but a significant percentage also involves dogs within the family or neighbourhood. Studies suggest that children and elderly individuals are at the highest risk of being bitten due to their smaller size and behaviour patterns that might provoke a dog's defensive instincts.

Mexico News Daily

Maho | Prentice, LLP

Globally and in Mexico, approximately 77% of dog bite incidents occur with dogs known to the victim, such as family pets or neighbours' dogs. While specific statistics for Mexico's age distribution aren't detailed, similar data from the U.S. indicates that children under 9 years old are most commonly affected, especially in the 0-4 age group, where severe bites are more prevalent. It is reasonable to infer a similar trend for Mexico.

DogsBite.org - Some dogs don't let go

Among dog bite victims, studies consistently show that a family’s own dog is responsible in a considerable percentage of cases. This highlights the importance of educating families about proper dog training, supervision, and care to minimize risks.

Most dog bites are preventable. In a society of social media dog trainers who have little to no experience, who recycle content and are not educated dog trainers. It’s no wonder why dog owners are having difficulties training the dog they always wanted.

Seek out a dog trainer who does not use dog treats to bribe the dog. At the end of the day my clients prefer the family dog, likes them. Instead of a bribe of food for the reason to listen. Dog’s require leadership, structure not routine, alpha not beta. End the phrase fur baby and recognize the dog as an animal first.

At the end of the day, we chose the dog, the dog did not choose you. A dog is a potential lethal weapon and will cause harm if not treated and with respect, trained and understood that the dog is an animal first not a fur baby or cuddle bunny.