Why You Should Never Approach a Dog While Eating or Sleeping
Key Takeaways:
Approaching a dog while it is eating or sleeping significantly increases the risk of a dog bite attack. During meals, dogs may engage in resource guarding – a natural instinct to protect valued items like food – which can escalate into snapping or biting. When a dog is resting or asleep, its guard mode is lowered, but its ability to react is also reduced. Startling it can trigger a defensive bite. If you or someone you care about have been injured in a dog bite attack, consulting a qualified dog bite lawyer early can preserve your rights and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
If you’re unfamiliar with dog behavior, you may find yourself surprised by a dog growling as it ate or taken aback if you lean over a napping dog and receive a painful snap. These behaviors are natural for dogs and stem from the way they’re wired. Understanding why these behaviors occur can help you act appropriately around a dog that is eating or sleeping so that you can avoid a preventable dog bite.
Eating Triggers a Dog’s Resource Guarding Instinct
Approaching a dog during its mealtime can trigger a phenomenon called food aggression or resource guarding. This is a natural behavior that occurs when a dog becomes protective of food, toys, space or other valued items.
Dogs instinctively view interference with eating as a risk of losing this valuable resource and when you approach an unfamiliar dog while it is feeding, the risk of a dog bite attack goes up. For this reason, you should always take a dog’s aggressive behavior while eating seriously.
How to Recognize Signs a Dog Is Uncomfortable Around Food
A dog that feels uncomfortable around food may display certain cues meant to communicate that they want you to stay back. When these signs aren’t heeded, there’s a greater risk the dog will resort to aggression. Recognizing these signs can reduce the dog’s stress and prevent an avoidable dog bite during mealtime.
Dogs will often start by exhibiting mild indicators that they’re uneasy about someone being near their food. These may include:
- Suddenly eating faster, gulping or swallowing quickly when someone approaches
- Freezing, stiffening or holding a rigid posture while hovering over the bowl
- Stopping eating and staring at the person who is nearby
- Lowered tail, pinned-back ears or showing the whites of their eyes
If these subtle signs are ignored, a dog may escalate its warning signs in the following manner:
- Growling, snarling or baring teeth when someone gets too close
- Raised hackles or a lowered head positioned protectively over the bowl
- Lunging or snapping if someone tries to remove food or touch the dish
These responses are due to anxiety and resource protection instincts, not aggression. If you see a dog exhibit any of these signs, step away calmly and give it space. By respecting the dog’s space, you can help it feel safer while eating and de-escalate the situation.
Sleeping Dogs Are Prone to Act Defensively
While it may seem counterintuitive that a restful dog would suddenly bite, the risk is real and often underappreciated. A dog that’s asleep or in a deep resting phase may be startled when someone touches or approaches it unexpectedly. A startled dog may react defensively and attack. In these instances, the dog bite attack stems from fear or surprise rather than aggression.
Behavioral studies show that dogs may become defensive around their resting space, and something as simple as moving past them, stepping over them or trying to move them from their bed can be enough to trigger a defensive response. In addition, dogs that are older, in pain or have diminished sensory perception may be more prone to reacting aggressively in sleeping/waking transitions.
How to Prevent a Dog Bite During Meals or Sleeping
In most instances, dog bite attacks during mealtime or while sleeping are avoidable. The following precautions will help you avoid triggering a dog that is eating or sleeping:
- Never Approach a Dog That’s Eating – Let the dog finish its meal in peace, and supervise children in the area so that they stay clear
- Respect a Dog’s Sleeping/Resting Space – Do not lean over, wake suddenly or move a dog without ensuring the dog is fully awake and knows you are present
- Teach Children Awareness – Show them how to observe a dog’s body language to detect signs that it may be engaging in resource guarding or be startled after waking
- Establish Safe Feeding and Resting Areas for Your Dog – Dog owners should feed their pets in quiet, low-traffic zones and give them a space to rest undisturbed by others
Pushchak Law Can Help After a Dog Bite
If you’ve been injured in a dog bite attack, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages. Colorado adheres to strict liability in dog bite cases. This means the dog’s owner is liable for your damages even if negligence didn’t cause the dog bite. In situations where your actions while a dog was eating or sleeping triggered an aggressive reaction, you may still be eligible for compensation. At Pushchak Law, we’ll make sure your rights are protected.
Brian Pushchak has made dog bite cases a primary focus of his practice. He understands the legal and medical issues associated with these cases, and he can help ensure your damages reflect the total extent of your loss. This area of specialization will give you the edge you need when seeking to maximize the value of your compensation.
Mr. Pushchak has developed a unique Informed Decisions™ Approach focused on helping you achieve the best possible outcome to your case. He understands that client education and open communication are critical to providing the high-quality representation you deserve. Mr. Pushchak will take the time to discuss your goals for the case and explain your options in detail. While he’ll always recommend the best strategy to achieve your desired outcome, you will have the final say on how we handle your case. This process keeps you in control at all times and ensures we remain aligned with your goals.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Pushchak Law serves clients in Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.
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