My Dog Bit Me

Treat the Wound First

1. Wash immediately. Run warm water over the wound for 5 minutes. Use mild soap to clean in and around the bite.
2. Control bleeding. Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. Elevate the area if possible.
3. Disinfect. Apply an antiseptic like povidone-iodine (Betadine) or hydrogen peroxide. Pat dry.
4. Bandage loosely. Cover with a sterile bandage. Do not seal the wound tightly -- puncture wounds need airflow to prevent anaerobic bacteria from growing.
5. Watch for infection. Over the next 24 to 48 hours, watch for increasing redness, swelling, warmth, pus, red streaks extending from the wound, or fever.

Assess the Severity

• Scratch or scrape (no broken skin): Clean and monitor. No medical attention needed unless it becomes infected.
• Single shallow puncture: Clean thoroughly. See a doctor if it is on the hand or face, or if you are immunocompromised.
• Deep puncture wound: See a doctor. Deep punctures can trap bacteria under the skin and are the highest infection risk.
• Laceration or tear: See a doctor. May need stitches, antibiotics, or both. However, many dog bite wounds are left open (not stitched) to reduce infection risk.
• Multiple bites or severe mauling: Go to the emergency room.

Why Your Dog Bit You

Dogs do not bite out of spite or malice. There is always a reason, even if it is not obvious to you in the moment. Understanding the trigger is essential.

• Pain: You may have touched an area that hurts. Dogs with arthritis, ear infections, dental pain, or hidden injuries may bite when the painful area is touched. This is the most commonly missed cause.
• Fear: The dog felt trapped, cornered, or threatened. This can happen during grooming, nail trims, vet visits, or when a dog is approached while sleeping.
• Resource guarding: The dog was protecting food, a toy, a bone, a sleeping spot, or even a person. This is a natural behavior that can be managed with training.
• Startle response: You woke the dog suddenly, approached from behind, or moved too quickly. Older dogs and deaf dogs are more prone to startle bites.
• Redirected aggression: The dog was excited or agitated by something else (another dog, a squirrel, a doorbell) and redirected onto whoever was closest.
• Maternal instinct: Mother dogs with puppies can become protective and bite people who get too close to the litter.

What NOT to Do

• Do not punish the dog. Hitting, yelling, or "alpha rolling" a dog that just bit will increase fear and make future bites more likely, not less.
• Do not force confrontation. Do not immediately try to "show the dog who is boss" by doing the same thing that triggered the bite.
• Do not surrender the dog without understanding the cause. Most bites are situational and preventable once you know the trigger.

What to Do Next

1. Write down exactly what happened. What was the dog doing? What were you doing? Where did the bite occur? Was there food, a toy, or another animal involved?
2. Schedule a vet visit. Rule out pain as the cause. A full physical exam can uncover hidden injuries, dental problems, or conditions the dog has been hiding.
3. Consult a certified behaviorist. Not a TV trainer -- look for a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or a veterinary behaviorist (DACVB). They can assess the situation and create a management plan.
4. Manage the environment. Until you understand the trigger, avoid situations that could provoke another bite. If it was resource guarding, do not reach for the food bowl. If it was a startle, wake the dog gently from a distance.