What Signals a Dog Is About to Attack?

By 
• ANGELA CHEN

Getty Images/Flickr RF

Nearly 5 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year, according to the American Humane Association. Dog trainer Victoria Stilwell says most dog attacks are "perfect storms of human failure that could have been prevented." So how can you tell doggy playfulness from a prelude to an attack? Ms. Stilwell, chief executive of Atlanta-based Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training and host of Animal Planet show "It's Me or the Dog," offers some advice on how to read dog behavior to avoid an attack on a person or other dog.

Where and When

People are usually attacked on private property by a dog they know. "It happens when the relative has brought his dog over, or it happens at a friend's house," says Ms. Stilwell. "We just let our guard down here."

Warning Signs

Obvious signs include barking, growling, if the dog's ears are flat or suddenly prick up. Some dogs salivate when they are stressed, others cower.

The tricky thing is that many behaviors that seem friendly can be misleading. "A wagging tail doesn't always mean that the dog is happy," says Ms. Stilwell. "Dogs will wag their tails when they are upset or over-aroused." Similarly, if an unfamiliar dog rolls on its back to expose its belly, it doesn't necessarily want to be petted. It might be asking you to move away.

A dog that attacks is often acting out of fear, says Ms. Stilwell. Those signs of fear may include a dog yawning, turning its head away when someone approaches, tensing up or staring.

Some dogs will slightly lift one front paw in what Ms. Stilwell calls "the anticipatory paw," because it shows that they think something negative is about to happen.

Mouth signals

Another subtle warning sign is when a dog slightly lifts its lip to show teeth. Also, flat tongues are relaxed; curved at the sides means there is tension.

Bite Response

"If a dog is on a child and you're pulling it off, you're making the wound on that child deeper," Ms. Stilwell says.

Instead, "take a coat or T-shirt and put it over the dog's head," she says. When dogs can't see, they panic and open their mouths.

Dogs Attacking Dogs

Ms. Stilwell says she always carries treats when walking her dog. "If I see a dog coming toward mine and I don't like the look of it, I'll take a bunch of treats and throw them far away," she adds. "Nine times out of 10 they go get the food."