Do you know WHY dogs bite? We can stay safe around dogs by helping dogs feel safe around us!

1. The dog may get too excited. The noises and movements you make when you play are very exciting to dogs. When dogs play with other dogs, they often play roughly with their sharp teeth and claws. Sometimes dogs forget that they can't play the same way with you. And because dogs don't have hands, they use their mouths to grab with! A dog could hurt you by accident, just by being too excited.
   What you should do: Play gently and calmly with dogs. If a dog gets too excited, freeze and walk away. Take a time-out to give you both a chance to calm down.
2. The dog may feel angry because he is protecting something or someone. A dog will protect anything that is important to him: his toys, his bed, his bowls, his people, his yard, his house, his car. If you come near something that a dog feels is off-limits to you, the dog may bite to make you leave his "stuff" alone!
   What you should do: Don't go into a yard where there is a dog you don't know. Don't reach through a car window or a fence to pet a dog. Don't pet a dog that is tied up. And don't touch a dog's "stuff"!
3. The dog may be in pain (hurt or sick). When a dog is in pain, he doesn't understand where the pain comes from. If you touch him, he may think that you are causing the pain and will bite you to stop the pain.
   What you should do: If a dog is acting like it is sick or hurt, leave him alone — even if the dog belongs to your family.
4. The dog may feel scared or surprised. Quick movements and sudden or loud noises are scary for dogs, and they may bite to protect themselves. Strangers can also frighten dogs. A dog doesn't want to be touched by a stranger, and neither do you! But if a dog thinks you are a stranger who might hurt him, he may not know how to get away. So he will protect himself by biting.
   What you should do: When you are around a dog, be quiet and move slowly. And don't be a stranger — ask the dog's owner for permission before you touch.

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