Bite mark from a Maltese puppy. (Photo courtesy of Julianna at Flickr)
To date, I have been bitten by small dogs four times while working at Kelsey’s Dog House. In every case, the bite was minor. I could put some antibiotic ointment and a small bandage on the wound and then go back to work. This is a pretty good track record considering I work and play with hundreds of different dogs each year. In each case in which I was bitten, I believe I did something to instigate the bite. On the other hand, those who believe a dog should not bite, no matter what, have a defensible argument. So who is right? Or more appropriately, what is right? Are there some circumstances in which it is okay for a dog to bite? The answers are straight ahead. (more…)