All dogs have the potential to bite, even if they haven’t shown aggressive behaviour before. It’s the pet owners responsibility to mitigate this behaviour with training.

Recent research revealed that there had been a huge rise in online users searching for ‘dog bite’, ‘dog bite lawyer’, and ‘dog attack’ since the pandemic puppy boom. These findings suggest more people are seeking advice on rectifying their dog’s aggressive behaviour or what to do after a dog attack.

If your dog bites someone, not only could they cause serious harm to the victim, but the dog could be reported, and you might face legal ramifications.

In this guide, Benchmark Kennels have collated advice for preventing this behavioural problem from developing, identifying the signs your dog is about to bite, and what to do if it occurs.

What can cause dogs to bite?

Biting is often a natural instinctive response to threatening situations, such as if a dog is startled, attacked by another dog or exposed to loud noise.

Other possible causes for dogs biting can include:

• Protecting their territory if someone disrupts their toys, food, or puppies
• Becoming overly excited when playing
• Being bothered while in pain from an illness or injury
• Not being spayed or neutered

A lack of training can cause dogs to feel anxious or scared in social situations, which can cause them to react aggressively.

If aggressive behaviour occurs suddenly, seek advice from a veterinarian in case there is a medical cause.

How to tell if your dog is about to bite

Recognising your dog’s body language and how it changes based on how their feeling, will help you defuse a situation if they become aggressive.

Here are some warning signs to look out for that your dog is about to bite:

• Baring teeth
• Raised hackles
• Growling
• Rigid and quick tail wagging
• A stiffened body posture

If your dog becomes aggressive when you’re alone, stay calm, don’t make any sudden movements and slowly back away. Don’t look them in the eye, smile at them, or show your back to them either.

If you’re in a public place and there is a risk your dog could bite another animal or person, approach them very carefully and remove them from the situation.

Aggression in dogs often stems from fear or anxiety, so it’s helpful to identify the body language for these emotions too, such as:

• Cowering
• Avoiding eye contact
• Lowering their body
• Hanging their head low
• Pointing their ears back

If your dog expresses signs of distress, calmly and confidently move them to a more comforting environment.

Training methods to prevent dog bites

The best way to prevent a dog from biting in the future is through training them as a puppy as soon as you bring them home, which is usually at eight weeks old.

Socialisation

Dogs should typically be socialised from four to 12 weeks old when their brains are more flexible and receptive. This technique will help them feel comfortable around new people, other dogs, and in new situations without becoming frightened.

Obedience training

If your dog is obedient, you’re more likely to have control over a challenging situation that may make them stressed, scared, or angry. By using basic commands, you can keep your dog out of trouble.

Positive reinforcement

Punishing your dog for bad behaviour is likely to encourage aggression, mistrust, and anxiety. Instead, reward your dog for good behaviour with treats, verbal praise, petting, or playtime and strengthen your bond in the process.

Working with a professional dog behaviourist is a great way to implement these training techniques and minimise bad habits from forming. It’s especially beneficial to work with a trainer if you’re looking to retrain and remedy poor behaviour.

What to do if your dog does bite

If your dog bites you, don’t pull away, as this can increase their aggression. Try putting an object between you and the dog that they can latch onto instead. Avoid making loud noises and don’t hit them, as this will just aggravate the dog further.

Confine the dog to their crate, kennel or another room. Then, clean the wound with soap and warm water. If the bite is deep, painful, inflamed, or discoloured, seek medical attention.

If your dog has bitten somebody else, help the victim as soon as you have safely removed the dog from the situation. Depending on the severity of the bite, you may need to call for an ambulance.

Once the wound has been seen to, exchange contact details with the injured person, as it’ll help your case if you’re cooperative. If your dog was provoked, get the contact details of witnesses as well to support your defence.

Your dog’s behaviour will be held to a higher standard in the future. So, you’ll need to put precautions in place to prevent your dog from biting again.

Keep your dog on a leash until you’re confident they’re comfortable around unfamiliar people and dogs, will listen to commands, and aren’t likely to become aggressive. However, always keep dogs on a lead on private land, where there’s livestock, and in areas with signs stipulating the requirement.

Does your dog need a place to retreat to when stressed?

Benchmark Kennels provide a range of outdoor kennels that your dog can use as a den and retreat to when they feel overwhelmed by guests, loud noises, or other animals. Providing your dog with a ‘safe space’ where they can have uninterrupted alone time is especially beneficial if they struggle with anxiety.

The secure and insulated kennels can be customised to suit your dog’s shape, size, and breed, to maximise their comfort.

For more information on our range of kennels, contact a member of our friendly team via phone. If you have everything you need, order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal kennel from our website today.

During the UK lockdown, many people used their unexpected free time to welcome a new pet into their home, creating a puppy boom. However, the restrictions made training dogs challenging, which has led to a rise in behavioural problems.

As well as younger puppies, the change in routine has also likely impacted the behaviour of adult dogs. As well as exercise and social interaction suddenly becoming limited, the dogs were also gaining much more time with their owners than usual.

To identify which bad habits among dogs have worsened, Benchmark Kennels found the average monthly search volume for terms relevant to dog behaviour from July 2019 to 2020 and from July 2020 to June 2021.

The research revealed that the search volume for some of the terms had surged during this timeframe. This increase suggests that now restrictions have been lifted, more people are looking for advice to remedy their dog’s bad habits than in previous years.

So, what behavioural problems have dogs developed during lockdown, and how can you fix them?

Aggression

The average search volume for ‘dog aggression training’ from July 2020 to June 2021 was 588 per month, a 93% surge from the previous year. There was also an 81% growth in the average monthly searches for ‘dog aggression’.

Hostile behaviour, such as growling, baring teeth, and long and hard stares, needs addressing quickly with the help of a professional behaviourist. Otherwise, the aggression can worsen and lead to attacks against other dogs or people.

If you haven’t socialised your dog correctly, they’ll likely be afraid of any new experiences, sounds, people, or dogs, which can cause them to react defensively and aggressively. They may respond territorially to new guests in the house too.

A frustrated dog can also express signs of anger if they’re left alone or restrained for too long. You shouldn’t leave adult dogs alone for longer than four hours, but you can’t leave puppies for more than 30 to 60 minutes.

Disobedience

The phrase ‘dog obedience training’ had an average monthly search volume of 756 from July 2020 to June 2021, an 83% rise from the previous year.

Obedience training ensures your dog responds to commands, so you can keep them safe and out of trouble. If your dog has become defiant, you’ll likely need to begin the process again or try different methods.

If left unaddressed, disobedience can lead to a wide range of behavioural problems, including:

• Aggression
• Jumping
• Excessive barking
• Leash pulling

Working with a professional dog trainer is often the most successful way to teach pups obedience, but this wasn’t an option for many owners through lockdown.

Problem barking

Although barking is a standard form of communication for dogs, it can become embarrassing and stressful if it occurs constantly and at inappropriate moments.

The research found that the average monthly search volume for ‘how to stop dog barking’ was 3,767 between July 2020 and June 2021, increasing by 1,209 since the previous year.

To determine the best solution to reduce barking to a manageable level, you’ll need to identify the cause and patterns.

Your dog may be alerting you to new sights and sounds outside, demanding food and toys, or feeling over-excited. The excessive barking may also be out of loneliness, boredom, or separation anxiety if they’re alone too often without enough exercise and mental stimulation.

On top of this, problem barking can indicate poor socialisation if it’s a reaction to the presence of unfamiliar people and dogs.

Nervousness

It’s normal for dogs to experience occasional anxiety, such as when loud noises occur unexpectedly or attending the vets. However, if your dog is commonly nervous, there’s likely a problem that you need to address.

There was an average monthly search volume of 1,181 for ‘nervous dog’ from July 2020 to June 2021, growing by 18% from the previous year.

Lockdown ending likely had an impact on nervousness among dogs. If you were furloughed or working from home, allowing you to spend a lot of time with your dog, it likely came as a shock when your routine returned to normal.

Nervous dog behaviour can consist of:

• Trembling
• Cowering
• Avoiding eye contact
• Yawning
• Tail between the legs
• Loss of appetite

You can calm your dog’s anxiety by taking them for more walks, equipping them with mentally stimulating toys, and avoiding punishing them. Also, try to re-build the pup’s confidence by rewarding independent behaviour, teaching them new tricks and practising behaviour they already know.

As well as this, it’s helpful to provide nervous dogs with a safe place, such as a crate or outdoor kennel, that they can retreat to of their own choosing when feeling overwhelmed and need alone time.

Biting

There are many reasons why a dog may bite, including feeling territorial, afraid, angry, or over-excited, but it’s usually due to a lack of training. However, biting can lead to troubling situations. Under The Dangerous Dog Act, it’s illegal for dogs to be ‘out of control’ and bite someone.

The research uncovered the search rate for ‘dog bite’ was already high, with an average of 3,058 per month. The volume increased by 17% over a year, reaching 3,608. Worryingly, the search volume for ‘dog bite lawyer’ also saw a 51% growth.

To prevent your dog from biting, undergo obedience training and keep them on a leash until you’re confident they will respond to commands and stay calm.

Various dog behavioural problems appear to have worsened since lockdown, which is likely a consequence of the uptick of people getting dogs during a time without access to training classes and the opportunity to socialise puppies.

If you need assistance with re-training your dog, work with a professional dog behaviourist. Also, get your dog checked out by a veterinarian to rule out any medical causes.

Cheryl Sampson, Marketing Manager at Benchmark Kennels, said: “As dog training classes and private sessions were off-limit through lockdown, it’s no wonder bad habits have increased.

“Social distancing also made socialising puppies extremely difficult, which may have caused aggressive or nervous behaviour when around new people or animals.

“After adjusting to spending more time with their owners through lockdown, and then being apart again, some dogs may have developed separation anxiety too.

“It’s incredibly frustrating for owners who are trying their best to train their puppy but are struggling to achieve the intended results due to circumstances out of their control.

“You can fix many behavioural problems over time, but it’ll take dedication. There are several DIY methods owners can try if the poor habits are mild. If the dog is out of control and the problems are severe, it’ll be much more effective to work with a professional trainer.”

About Benchmark Kennels

Benchmark Kennels manufacture bespoke outdoor kennels to suit dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes. The kennels are built using various materials from wooden to WPC eco-thermal kennels with extra insulation.

The kennel retailers are trusted suppliers to the National Trust, Balmoral estate, the royal family of Abu Dhabi, Country estates, top dog breeders and pet owners nationwide.

You can order a kennel directly from our website or get in touch with us for further advice on the best kennel for your dog’s needs.

Benchmark Kennels manufacture bespoke dog kennels to suit dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes. You can customise your outdoor kennel to be as luxurious or minimalist as required, built using various materials from wooden to WPC eco-thermal kennels with extra insulation. You can order a kennel directly from our website or get in touch with us for further advice on the best kennel for your dog’s needs.

Barking is a normal form of communication among dogs, but it can become destructive if it happens continuously and at inappropriate times. While you can’t completely stop your dog from barking, you can reduce it to a manageable level.

Benchmark Kennels has put together a guide on the possible causes of excessive dog barking, how to mitigate the problem and teach the pup to be quiet when necessary.

Why is your dog barking?

To successfully treat your dog’s problem barking, you’ll first need to track when and where it usually occurs to identify potential triggers. There are many reasons your dog may be barking, as it can signify various emotions or actions.

Loneliness

Your dog may bark out of frustration if they’re alone for too long. You shouldn’t leave adult dogs on their own for more than four hours and puppies alone for longer than 30 to 60 minutes.

To mitigate your dog’s loneliness, arrange for a dog sitter or walker to keep them company if you aren’t home all day. Alternatively, book them in at a doggy daycare or training session.

Fitting a pet camera also lets you keep an eye on your dog and speak to them to help you stay connected even when you aren’t home.

Boredom

Barking can also be a sign of boredom, which you can solve by taking the dog for walks and spending time outdoors with them more often. To keep the pup entertained while alone, equip them with mentally stimulating puzzles and toys.

Attention

Dogs often bark to get their owner’s attention, which may be due to boredom, separation anxiety or fear. However, a desire for attention is often just part of being a social animal and is more prominent in some breeds.

To discourage your dog from barking for attention, first identify why they’re exhibiting this behaviour and follow the advice from the relevant category.

Also, ignore the pup until they become calm and quiet. Even negative attention, such as telling the dog to stop barking will entertain this behaviour.

Demand barking

Dogs often bark as a way to demand items such as food and toys. If it’s worked before, they’ll keep doing it. So, instead, ignore them until the barking has stopped, and then reward them with the item once they’re calm.

Although, try not to confuse demand barking for them telling you they need the toilet.

Excitement

If your dog reacts excitedly to you coming home by barking and jumping, don’t respond until they calm down to avoid encouraging this behaviour.

Alert barking

Dogs often bark to let you know something is there, whether that be a person, another animal, or noise, which may be out of fear, excitement, or protectiveness. If the alert barking occurs continuously, it can be annoying for you and your neighbours.

For a temporary fix, block their view by closing the blinds or curtains, drown out the outside noise with the radio, and move the furniture so they can’t reach the window.

However, to treat this problem long-term, engage in active training that encourages the pup to associate these sights and sounds positively.

For example, when someone walks by the house, use a command to distract the dog before they bark and give them a treat. Eventually, this training will help them develop a habit of looking at you as an alert instead of barking.

Reactive barking

If your dog barks when they encounter a person or another dog, they may be scared or anxious, often due to poor socialisation.

To change their emotional response to social situations, practice greetings with a friend or trainer and another dog as followed:

• If your dog isn’t already barking and pulling on the leash, approach the owner and dog.
• If your dog begins barking, stop and redirect their attention to you with the command’ quiet’, a treat, or by calling their name.
• If they are calm again, continue the approach.
• If your dog is still over-excited, turn and walk away and continue trying to calm them down.

To minimise the dog’s barking when a guest approaches your home, train them to positively associate the doorbell by practising with a friend and giving the dog a treat when the noise occurs.

It can also be helpful to provide the pup with a dedicated space, such as a crate or an outdoor kennel, that they can retreat to if they become overwhelmed by guests. To encourage the pup to use the area, make it enticing and comfortable with blankets, toys, food, water, and a bed.

What not to do

When trying to combat excessive barking, it’s crucial to avoid specific responses and methods that can worsen the problem.

It’s important not to shout at your dog when they bark, as they’ll think you’re shouting back, which will cause them to carry on. The dog also won’t understand why you’re shouting, causing them anxiety.

If your dog likes being outside, don’t keep them in the garden for too long if they’re continuously barking, as this will only anger your neighbours.

Never use a shock collar on your dog to try and control their behaviour, as this is extremely cruel.

When you begin training, don’t expect a sudden improvement as it can take a while to undo this behaviour, with the timescale depending on your dog’s personality, breed, and age and the problem’s cause and severity.

While it often helps to ignore your barking dog until they become calm, don’t ignore the problem and treat it as soon as possible. When left unaddressed, barking can lead to aggressive behaviour.

If you need assistance with reducing your dog’s barking, contact a professional behaviourist. Excessive barking can sometimes be a symptom of a medical problem, so also get your dog checked by a veterinarian.

Need an outdoor kennel to ease your dog’s stress and anxiety?

Outdoor kennels are the perfect place for your dog to seek some peace and quiet when you’re entertaining guests. Benchmark Kennels offer a range of secure, insulated, and spacious kennels that you can customise to your dog’s size and shape.

For more information on the bespoke kennels, contact the Benchmark Kennels team via phone. You can also order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal kennel directly through the website.