Dog Bite Legal Center News

Warning signs of a dog bite

September 2003

Stephanie Shain, spokesperson for Humane Society of the United States, provides several warning signs that may signify that a dog is getting ready to bite. These warning signs include:

• the dog is growling
• the dog's ears pulled all the way back
• the dog's hair is raised up
• the dog is looking directly at you
• the dog has lowered its tail and is wagging it slowly
• the dog is standing forward and up on its toes

Ms. Shain stated because dogs can wag their tales as a warning sign, it is important to teach a child that a wagging tale does not always mean a dog is friendly or happy.