Why My Dog Bit Me And Drew Blood?

The Short Answer is:

It may be that your dog loves you back by giving you play nips, treating you as part of the pack. It is also possible that they might become carried away with their play, react in fear, or be under some other circumstances that cause them to bite too hard and draw blood.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Why My Dog Bit Me And Drew Blood?“.

You’ll feel shocked and more than a little hurt when you see dog bite drew blood instantly for the first time.

Psychological wounds are just as important as physical wounds. Its hard to imagine that you used to be best friends and now hes turned against you. What could have happened? Why? What should I do now?

Your first priority should be to take care of your injury and then see how your dog is doing. A dog may bite you for several reasons.

The majority of problems can be resolved but you should also consider the possibility of placing your dog in another home. You may also consider having him put down but this should be your last resort.

My dog bit me and drew blood What should I do? 

The wound needs to be treated right away. If your dog has been injured by a slamming door wash the wound with warm water and mild soap.

Once the wound has been cleaned it should be disinfected. Regardless of whether its your dog or not his mouth can still carry pathogens.

Pour some hydrogen peroxide or iodine solution over the wound if you have them available. They are not as painful as medicinal alcohol. You can stop the bleeding with a clean cloth. 

Dress the wound with a sterile bandage after the bleeding has stopped. 

See a doctor as soon as possible. In the event that this is not possible make sure to change the bandage every few hours and reapply antiseptic ointment. You should be on the lookout for signs of infection such as redness swelling or pus. 

My Dog Bit Me and Drew Blood do I need a Tetanus Shot?

If you are bitten by a dog you should see a doctor immediately. Consider going to the ER if your family physician cannot see you especially if you have an unpleasant ailment wound. When a dogs mouth is contaminated with soil you are at risk of developing tetanus. 

Your doctor will determine whether or not you need a tetanus shot. If you havenot had a tetanus shot in the past ten years you may need one. 

Normally a child under 10 or 11 years old will be protected from tetanus since they get their tetanus shots in their infancy. 

Do I need a rabies shot?

You can get bitten by your dog or by a street mutt depending on what bit you. You may not need to administer a rabies shot to your dog if he has had his rabies shots. 

Infected dogs are most likely to be feral animals but it isnot impossible for a domesticated animal to get rabies. 

Since you cannot know whether the dog was vaccinated against rabies or when it was your doctor is likely to recommend a rabies shot to you if you were bitten by a street dog. Because Rabies is a dangerous disease that causes gruesome deaths its best to get a shot. 

How should I deal with my dog immediately? 

To begin with remain calm. You’ll need some time to comprehend why your dog bit you if its his first offense.

A physical or verbal reprimand may be counterproductive. You might be perceived as aggressive by the dog which could escalate the situation.

Giving your dog a break is the best thing you can do. Take him to a secluded room if possible or crate him if its not possible.

Simply leave him where he is and close the laundry room door behind you if you feel the dog would not allow you to lock him in.

Do not provoke your dog into doing something he does not want to do such as biting again by provoking him with something he does not want to do. 

Why do dogs bite their owners?

Its time to sit down and consider the reasons behind your dogs sudden aggressive behavior after you have both calmed down. 

Dominance

Dogs who bite assert their dominance as a way to assert their power. The dog may have thought that biting you would keep you in line if he sees himself as the pack leader. Thats okay. It is likely that this dangerous idea would not have entered his head if he had received the right training.

Territoriality

When you get too close to territorial biters they become aggressive. He may have thought you were going to take away his food bowl or favorite toy so he defended what was rightfully his.

Fear

A dog that has been abused in the past is more prone to this type of bite. You should not be surprised if your dog bites you if it came from a shelter. Maybe he was triggered by something in your voice or gesture even if you werenot threatening in any way. A dog will also bite when startled especially if it is sleeping.

Medical problem

Unwittingly touching a sore spot could make your dog bite you if he is not well. He does not understand why hes hurting because hes an elderly dog with a hip problem. Touching him might lead him to conclude you are to blame which will cause him to become aggressive. Dogs are not the only ones who do this. If we have a headache or feel unwell many people are not very pleasant to be around except for the fact that we do not bark. 

Playful bites

If your puppy bites you you cannot blame it. Its normal for young dogs to test their teeth since they are very playful. However you should not allow them to bite. Its time to teach him to obey if he seems to enjoy biting

Stranger danger

Your dog may have been defending you and your house if he attacks a stranger. This could cause you a lot of problems and you should be extra nice to the victim to avoid a lawsuit. Retraining your dog might be in order as well. 

How can I stop my dog from biting?

More training more training more training. You should teach him that biting is not okay if its a puppy or a really young animal.

Make a loud yelp and show your displeasure when he bites you even if he does not draw blood. You should not punish the dog for biting you.

When violence is used it only makes violence worse. Simply ignore the dog for a few minutes. Leave the room if necessary.

When you do come back make sure to point to your hand with a sad face so he understands he just injured his best friend.

With age a dogs obedience training will have to be updated. Reviewing the basic rules is essential. If you do not think you can handle it on your own take your dog to a professional trainer. 

What are some of the best ways to rebuild trust?

You should keep your grudges to yourself. After treating your wound treat your dog as usual. Remorse is common in dogs. You should accept a paw placed on your hand by your dog as an apology. Understanding what caused the incident will help you accept an apology. When a dog bites without a behavioral issue and for a valid reason the only solution is to encourage good behavior. 

Reward your dog with a pat on the head or even a small treat if he stays calm in stressful circumstances. 

Will he bite again?

In the absence of appropriate measures its likely that he will bite again. Assume that your dog was in pain when the incident occurred. However that does not mean you should tolerate his reaction. 

If it was a dominance issue it should be handled immediately. Make sure he knows that no matter how big or strong he is you’re the pack leader. 

Should I use a muzzle?

It should not be necessary to muzzle dogs in the house. Muzzles are not natural and they are not pleasant. This is also a sign that something is seriously wrong in your relationship. Whats the point of having a dog if you can not trust him? 

If you are concerned about your small children not being able to trust your dog you might want to use a muzzle on them. That will only be a temporary solution though. In order to raise obedient children and dogs you will need to train them both. Small children cannot be allowed to pull at the dogs hair and expect it to tolerate it. Some dogs are very patient with small children but sometimes thats enough. 

Should the dog be put down?

Taking this decision lightly is not an option. A dog that becomes too aggressive and injures or kills someone might have to be put down in some countries. However that is an extreme case.

If you have any questions about animal behavior you should see an expert. Putting the dog down might be the best option if they feel the dog has a serious mental issue. 

Its best to exhaust all other options before considering such a solution such as more training and hiring an expert to resolve your dogs behavior issues. You may also consider relocating your pet. Another type of environment may make him behave better. The problem remains. Any problems you have had with your dog should always be disclosed to the new owner. 

What breeds of dog most commonly bite people?

Most people believe that large dogs are the ones who bite more frequently but thats not necessarily the case. Chihuahuas are very high on the list of top dog biters even though they can cause little damage.

Here are some of the most prodigious biters.

• Chihuahua
• This bulldog
• Bulldogs (English)
• Bull Pit
• Dogs German Shepherds
• Shepherds of Australia
• A.P.Lhasa Apso
• There are many varieties of Terriers especially the Jack Russell Terrier

There is no doubt that irresponsible owners often train their large dogs to bite. Many people buy bulldogs or Rottweilers just to have a fearsome bodyguard or to impress their friends and its not fair to blame the dog for his education.

Conclusion

You should seek medical attention as soon as possible if you are bitten by a dog and lose blood. Tetanus and/or rabies shots may be necessary in certain cases.

After you have dealt with that you should try to figure out why your dog reacted aggressively.

Perhaps he felt threatened or startled perhaps he was in pain. Alternatively you can simply accept the fact that your dog did not receive the training he needed.

To teach your dog some manners see a behavior expert or hire a good trainer. 

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.