Once Bitten, Not Shy

Years ago I dated someone who worked at an insurance company. This was back when I was working in a corporate office and pet sitting was just a side hustle. When I told him that I stay in people’s homes with their pets, he immediately asked if I had ever been bitten by a dog. I told him that I had (only one bite at that point in time). He was emphatic when he explained that millions of dollars per year is spent on homeowner’s insurance claims for dog bites. He said it is one of their most frequent payouts.

If you have read my book, Your Pets Are Fine …and Other Lies: True Adventures in Pet Sitting, you know that I have had a few dog bites in my years as a pet sitter. Even the most calm and well trained dogs can bite when you least expect it.  See this photo below? Ball time is a happy time for a dog, and I learned the hard way that it is also a dangerous time for humans, or at least for me it was (read chapter 13 in the above mentioned book and maybe you can avoid a dog bite!).
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In doing a little research, I came across this article that cites dog related injuries and bites are suffered by over 4.5 million people in this country annually. And no doubt that number has gone up since dog adoptions increased during the COVID pandemic. According to State Farm Insurance and the Insurance Information Institute, $797 million was paid out in 2019 to cover dog bite and dog-related injury claims in the United States alone. 

The top 5 states with the highest number of insurance claims for dog-related injuries are: Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida and the number one state for dog claims is, you guessed it, California. Are you surprised? I am not. Californians love their dogs and the mild weather there makes it easy for any breed of dog to be comfortable there any time of the year.

Statistics aside, what are some basic things you can you do right now to prevent dog-related injuries?

Be Alert
I was jogging around Ladybird lake in Austin on a recent evening and I nearly tripped over two dogs who were chasing each other from the nearby off-leash park. Even domesticated animals can get a little wild and rambunctious in certain settings, and especially when playing with other dogs. Watch your dog so you can intervene if behaviors take a turn, this involves other animals too.

Don’t  Assume
Your dog might seem as docile as they come, but even the sweetest pets can have their moments  too.  Your new neighbor comes over with her toddlers for a play date. Your dog can pick up on the nervous energy from children or their excited energy too. Sometimes this makes dogs uneasy, or even fearful and that is prime time for an incident to occur. Be diligent about safety. Look for panting, hair-raising, shifting eyes, fixation, whimpering, tail changes and other signs that your dog might be stressed or uneasy.    

Aging Dogs Can Change
Just like humans, dog’s temperaments can change as they age. Don’t be in denial about this. Dogs can become old and grouchy just like grandpa! Use special care with senior dogs. If you see or sense that your dog is uncomfortable or becoming agitated, don’t wait until it is too late – separate your dog from the source. Or simply give a “timeout” to your dog in a bedroom, kennel or backyard space. This might seem punishing, but it is ultimately to protect others and your dog and avoid a bad situation!
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Train Your Dog
It is a lot easier to control your dog’s response and behavior if your dog has undergone some training. Positive reinforcement works great for teaching your animals what to do, what not to do, and how to respond to your commands. Training costs can be reasonable, or you can even do it yourself at home. It will take a time commitment if you want to do it right. I’d highly recommend some basic training for your dog, it can come in handy during iffy situations and help you avoid incidents with other dogs and other people.

There you have it – with some basic training, awareness and observation you can be better equipped to help your dog avoid an incident or injury.  Dogs can change over time, and they can also generally be unpredictable. Whether in the puppy years, at the dog park meeting new friends, or in the slower senior years, dogs are awesome, and we can help them keep that reputation by steering them clear of situations that might not bring out the best in them. We owe them that.

-Yvonne