I’m a vet – five warning signs your dog could turn dangerous and bite someone, and you need to watch small breeds too

A VET has shared the warning signs a canine may become so aggressive that it bites.

The tips come ahead of pet lovers’ annual reminder that dogs aren’t just for Christmas and that they should think carefully before buying animals as a gift. 

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Those who are sure about their decision to go ahead with getting a puppy should be aware that not every cute dog may be suitable for a family home.

Dr. Sara Ochoa, who lives in Louisiana, has been practicing veterinary medicine for the past five years and is a regular contributor to the blog Hound Games.

She told The U.S. Sun that you can tell if a dog might act out before it happens, by observing its behavior.

“Things like how the dog holds itself and the sounds it makes can be clues,” Dr. Sara said.

“A dog that looks tense all over with its fur sticking up or teeth showing is more likely to snap. 

“Staring real hard without blinking could mean trouble too. Growling is also a warning the dog is getting mad.

“Some dogs seem scared a lot. They may duck down low or tuck their tail between their legs when they feel threatened. 

“Trying to squeeze behind furniture or hiding could mean they aren’t comfortable.

“Paying attention to how a pup acts and watching its body will help you know when it’s feeling aggressive. 

“Staying calm and keeping space may help things not to escalate if a dog seems on edge.”

Using Fido as a generic dog name, she added: “The more you observe Fido’s mannerisms, the better you’ll get at spotting signs something could kick off before it does.”

The vet advised pet owners to take note of how their dog holds itself, revealing that hunching over or baring its teeth could also be warning signs.

She said aggressive dogs may snap at the air, growl, or suddenly jump towards you while snarling.

“Sometimes a dog’s mood seems to change where it gets more nervous or on edge more than usual,” she said.

“Being stressed a lot can sometimes make a dog lash out, but different dogs do things their own way. 

“What sets one off may not bother another furball.

“It’s best to learn your own pup’s tells so you know when they getting hot under the collar before something kicks off. 

“Staying alert to your pooch’s vibes will help keep everyone feeling safe.”

Dr. Sara said there isn’t one breed that’s more likely to be aggressive than others – despite pit bulls, rottweilers, Shepherds, and large types getting a bad name.

She revealed that the way the puppy was raised is more telling than the breed alone.

She recommends getting to the root cause of any aggression to fix it, adding not getting enough playtime and poor training could be triggering.

“Any dog can lash out if not trained up or brought up in a good home,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if a dog is little or big. 

“What matters most is how they were treated as a pup and if their owner trained them well on what’s OK and not OK. 

“A calm, loving home is best for any breed.

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“As long as a pup gets treated with kindness from the start, it likely won’t turn mean just cause of how they look. 

“It’s on the owner to raise their pup to feel secure so no one has to worry about bad behavior.

“There are things you can do to help a pup not act so snippy. 

“Getting them used to other dogs and folks from a young age through socializing helps relax them. 

“Rewarding good behavior works better than punishing the bad. Throw a party for your pup whenever they act nice.

“Sticking with lovingly training them every day also works. Some pups need extra help though if they took things too far. 

“A pro dog coach could maybe turn things around for an aggressive furball through kindness and patience. 

“It’s best not to go it alone if the behavior is very bad.

“Getting expert guidance could save a pup from getting put down later on if things don’t improve.”

Dr. Sara shared advice on what to do if a dog bite looks bad.

“For small nips just clean with soap and water,” she said. “Then slap on some medicine cream and cover with a fresh band aid.

“For bites that won’t stop bleeding or look real deep, get help right away. 

“It’s also smart to check that all the dog’s shots are up to date. Rabies shots are really important they stay current just in case. 

“You never know what critters the pooch got close to before they took a chomp out of you. 

“Better safe than sorry when Fido breaks the no-bite rule.”

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