Why Almost All Dog Owners Believe Their Dogs Won’t Bite?

In daily life, we often hear dog owners say with confidence, “My dog won’t bite!” As if their dog is always gentle and never aggressive. However, behind this belief lie deeper and more interesting reasons.

Emotional Bond and Cognitive Bias

Dog owners usually have a strong emotional bond with their pets. From the moment a dog enters the home, the owner spends time and energy caring for it. Over time, the dog shows affection by wagging its tail, asking for cuddles, or waiting at the door.

This close connection can cause bias. Owners often remember the cute and calm moments, like their dog sleeping by their feet or playing happily. But they may ignore signs of aggression. Just like how parents overlook their child’s faults, dog owners may truly believe their dog is always gentle and won’t bite.

Calm Behavior in Familiar Settings

Dogs behave calmly in familiar places and around people they know. At home, they feel safe and trust their owners and family members. This makes them less likely to show aggression.

For example, when a friend of owner visit, the dog may greet them with a wagging tail. Owners see this and feel sure their dog is friendly. However, a dog’s behavior can change in new places or when it feels scared. However, owners may overlook this, judging the dog solely by its behaviour at home.

Misunderstanding Dog Behavior

Many owners don’t fully understand dog body language. When dogs feel nervous or threatened, they exhibit signs such as growling, baring their teeth, or tucking their tail.

Some owners may think these are normal or harmless actions, such as “talking” or “acting cute,” and fail to take appropriate action. When a bite does happen, they are shocked and confused. This is often due to misreading the warning signs and wrongly believing their dog would never bite.

Social Pressure and Self-Defense

Owning a dog is seen as a kind and responsible act. People see dogs as good companions. So when others express worry about being bitten, owners may defend their dogs.

Saying “my dog won’t bite” helps protect the dog’s image and the owner’s reputation. They don’t want others to think they are careless.

But just because most owners say their dog won’t bite doesn’t mean it’s true. Owners should understand their dog’s potential for aggression, train it effectively, and remain vigilant around strangers or other animals.

Likewise, others should not rely only on the owner’s word. It’s important to keep a safe distance and protect yourself when near any dog.