Have you ever been bitten by a dog?

Question

I was bitten on my leg by a Rottweiler on Saturday and after speaking to other people about it they said I would probably be scared of dogs now. Has your experience made you scared of dogs?

Answer 1

I was bitten when I was a kid. by a golden retriever, and chased and bit by a lab. whoda thunk these 2 breeds, huh?
am I scared of dogs? no. I have been around dogs since I was a baby, and bred and raised lots of different dogs, including purebreeds and pedigreed mutts.
I am the owner of a rottie now, and he is a great dog. however, the owner should be smacked of that dog that bit you for not controlling his dog.
I am more cautious, and aware when a dog I do not know is around, but not scared. Unless they are charging me, fangs bared and looking for my carotid artery, then no.
*and haven't experience that lately. thank goodness!
I have been chased by dogs when I am running, (exercising, not running away...just to clear that up), but I am not scared of them, because they usually stop and run home before they get too far. and because they are used to most people running by.
I would suggest being cautious around dogs you don't know, and since I don't know what happened when you were bit, I can't say more than that.
**One thing that may help you dealing with any anxiety or fear of dogs you may have, is to see dogs in a controlled environment, such as an obedience class, dog show, agility or other kind of contests in which the dogs' owners are a little more concerned with the behavior of their dog. just be around them and see how it goes. this doesn't mean you have to pet them or even acknowledge them. just watch them. might help.
*I hope you will not let one bad experience linger long, and give yourself time to digest and reflect on this episode.
just remember that most dogs are great, and would rather shake your hand or lick you than bite you...
and sometimes talking to someone helps, too.
I wish you well, and hope you get better soon!

Answer 2

I have got bitten, but I am not at all scared of dogs. Accidents can happen, don't worry. Dogs are animals, some of them may made a mistake. So are humans. Will you never get into a new relationship if a boyfriend breaks your heart? I don't think so. Nothing changes because a dog bit you once. It doesn't mean that all the dogs you were not afraid until now changed character! You may be more careful under the same circumstances though (e.g. I have stopped trying to break up dogs while they are fighting, because this is how I was bitten!lol).

Answer 3

First off: I hope you are okay and that your bite wound is healing well.

I have been bitten many times as I adopt rescue dogs who tend to have issues and are often very scared, but I was never bitten by a dog when I was a child or teen. Being bitten at a younger age is always more traumatic. I have owned 2 Rotties, and neither of them bit me, it has always been the smaller dogs that get me. My experiences have not made me scared of dogs, but it has made me aware of how much damage even a tiny dog can do. I hope that you do not allow your scary experience make you fearful of dogs, especially of Rottweilers. Dogs are wonderful, and if one bites, there usually is a reason for it even if we do not know why. Talk to a counselor about what happened to you, that can help lessen your anxiety. You might also go to your local animal control shelter and talk to the people there about it. If you have the time to volunteer at the shelter, it could be great therapy for you. Plus you could give a sad doggy a few moments of love. Please do not let this bad, bad experience turn you off doggies. Good luck to you and I hope you are all healed very soon.

Answer 4

I was attacked by a large dog when I was five.

The dog was owned by irresponsible people, and often roamed the neighborhood freely. My friends and I had been playing in the front yard of my home when it approached us, and the dog immedietly lunged for me. I screamed when it knocked me to the ground. My friends ran across the street to their mother, who came and chased the dog away before it had a chance to do any serious damage. I was bitten once on the arm, but it wasn't a serious wound.

Today, I own two large breed dogs. When I was growing up, even after the incident, I never felt afraid of dogs. I think somehow I felt that it wasn't dogs in general that had harmed me, it was that dog alone. I felt that it would be wrong to group all dogs into one category, when it had only been that one stray who had ever shown aggression towards me.

Perhaps I think this way because I never got seriously hurt, and I feel lucky in that respect. However, try to think of any and all good experiences you have had with dogs, and remember that a dog is what it's owner makes it to be. Treated right and responsibly, a dog is man's best friend. Treated wrongly or with bad intentions, a dog can be a dangerous creature.

Answer 5

I got bitten by a Border Collie and a Boxer but I've never been scared of dogs and never will be. I also got bitten by a pony but again I'm not scared of them.
The only thing that will make you scared is what other people are telling you, if they tell you you'll be scared, then eventually you will be because its psychological. Dont be scared, go out and find as many dogs as you can and talk to the owners, fuss them and pet them. I dont see why this particular incident should change you at all

Answer 6

I was bitten by a standard poodle as a young child. It left a permanent scar on my hand, and actually it did make me scared of that breed for a long time. I think when this happens to a child, the fear of dogs is greater. Just like I can not stand grape juice from having yucky tasting medicine mixed with it when I was a child. LOL I was bit by a mastiff that I took in for boarding right in front of its owner. It was not a terrible bite, but did take some skin off my upper arm. That was a fear bite. I was just bitten last weekend by a German Shepherd that I had in for boarding. This was a fear bite as well, it did not break skin but I have a nice bruise on my forearm shaped like her mouth! LOL I have been bitten a few times by my own dogs when I have been stupid enough not to watch myself when breaking up a few fights. Those were all misdirected agression. The majority of us that have been involved in dog training over the years know that getting bitten is bound to happen eventually. The one breed that I do not trust is the Akita breed when it comes to this. The Akita will normally give no warning before they bite.

Answer 7

I have been bitten many times, just nips. I am not afraid of them. There are some breeds, especially the yappy hyper ones that I don't particularly like, but I'm not afraid of them. And there are breeds that I don't think should be trusted into the hands of just anyone in the general population because they are too strong, to dominant and too dangerous if people don't control them.

Most dogs, except those nasty little yippy things, behave in a certain manner. You can almost always back down one dog. Just look it straight in the eye with a dominant stance, advance on it without hesitation, and it will usually back off to give way unless it is being territorial.

Answer 8

I have worked in the pest control business for 8 years. I have been bitten several times. Shoot, I even had to go to the hospital for stitches the one time. But, I am not afraid of dogs. I actually stood between a cop with a gun and a pitt bull that I never met before. (That is a long story!) I love dogs and understand that sometimes they will bite. You will probably be more cautious around them for a while, like I was, but I doubt if you will become afraid.

Answer 9

Just depends on how traumatic the experience was. Young children who are bitten are most likely to be fearful afterwards.
I worked in a vet clinic and got bit a few times. Once my friends dog bit me on the chin. I am not scared, I can usually pinpoint the reason the incident occurred.

There were a couple dogs that came to our clinic that were just mean. Had to be muzzled and although I never was bitten, the look in their eyes made me tremble inside.

Answer 10

Bitten? jeez - yeah! I rescue Danes that have been abused, injured, abandoned and starved. We rescued and ENTIRE family of Danes that were basically feral. Caught on catch sticks forced into kennels and severely damaged mentally and physically. I was bitten, for the first time, just getting one out of the transport. I was a bad bite but I didn't take it personally - He was terrified. Once he got into the kennel with his mother and brother his attitude changed immediately. Mother would stand between him and anyone. In 3 days he was taking treats and giving kisses and all was well. It almost seemed he was apologetic about biting me. He was a wonderful example of how dogs can rehabilitate under loving circumstances.

I've also been bitten by my OWN Dane stopping a fight - my fault but every experience only enlightens me on how much more I need to learn and respect as well as be attentive to developing situations. Afraid...NEVER - that is one thing they'll always key on and your fear will be your reality.