A dog bite is always a shock, whether it involves your own dog or a stranger’s. At Tassu & Tassu pet hotel, we work daily with dozens of different dogs, so safety is the foundation of our operations. Our experience has shown that most bites could be prevented if we learn to understand dog language and respect their needs.<\/p>\n
Biting does not happen out of the blue. It is a dog’s last resort to communicate when more subtle signals have not been heard or understood. We will now go through what to do if a dog bites and provide tips for preventing dangerous situations.<\/p>\n
In a biting situation, the most important thing is to act quickly but calmly. Panic worsens the situation for both people and the dog.<\/p>\n
1. Ensure the safety of the person and provide first aid<\/strong><\/p>\n The safety of the person is always the priority. Calmly separate the dog and the bitten person. Take the dog to another room or outside on a lead to calm down.<\/p>\n Immediately assess the extent of the injury. Even a small scratch requires careful treatment due to the risk of infection.<\/p>\n 2. Calm the situation<\/strong><\/p>\n Once first aid has been administered, calm both the people and the dog. Do not punish the dog by shouting or physically. This only increases the dog’s stress and fear and may exacerbate behavioural issues. The dog does not associate the punishment with the bite that occurred moments earlier, but only with your current behaviour.<\/p>\n Biting is a dog’s cry for help. It is not a sign of malice, but usually a reaction to a frightening or unpleasant situation. By identifying the most common reasons, we can better anticipate and avoid dangerous situations.<\/p>\n At our pet hotel, we constantly see how sensitively dogs communicate their discomfort. A dog bite is often the culmination of a series of smaller signals that preceded it. The most common reasons for biting include:<\/p>\n Fortunately, bites can almost always be prevented in advance. This requires learning dog body language and creating safe routines.<\/p>\n Before biting, a dog almost always gives warning signs. Learn to recognise these calming signals that the dog uses to communicate its discomfort:<\/p>\n Growling is a particularly important message. It is the dog’s clear request: ”Stop, I am uncomfortable.” Never punish a dog for growling. If a dog learns that growling does not help, it may skip straight to biting next time without warning.<\/p>\n Teach the whole family, including children, to give the dog its own space. Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping or eating. Provide the dog with its own safe place, such as a bed or open crate, where it can retreat and not be disturbed.<\/p>\n In the daily operations of the pet hotel and daycare, safety is the foundation of our work. Since there are constantly dogs of various sizes and temperaments in the pack, we have refined our processes to minimise conflicts and ensure the well-being of every pet.<\/p>\n We divide the dogs in daycare into small, supervised groups based on size and temperament. For example, for more timid individuals, such as many rescue dogs, we provide their own space and calm. Continuous supervision ensures that we can intervene in situations before they escalate.<\/p>\n Providing safe and professional care is a matter of honour for us. Whether it is daycare during the workday or longer accommodation during a holiday, you can trust that your dog is in capable hands with us. Our location in Helsinki, with good transport connections \u2013 near Raide-Jokeri and the train station \u2013 makes bringing and picking up your pet easy, even when heading to the airport or port.<\/p>\n If you are looking for a safe and stimulating care environment for your dog, where its needs are understood, please contact us or book an appointment directly through our booking system. We also offer additional services, such as nail trimming and bathing, during the care period.<\/p>\n Book an appointment for care<\/a> or ask more about our services<\/a>.<\/p>\n Yes, the behaviour of a biting dog can and should be changed. However, it requires commitment and often the help of a professional. First, the root cause of the biting must be identified, such as pain or fear. Training based on positive reinforcement and controlled desensitisation exercises help the dog learn new, safer ways to react. The most important thing is to proceed at the dog’s pace and to forget punishment-based methods that only exacerbate the problem.<\/p>\n Damages caused by a dog to third parties are usually covered by the dog owner’s liability insurance, which is included in most home insurance policies. However, it typically does not cover injuries to family members. Always check the terms with your own insurance company, as practices vary. The dog owner is almost invariably responsible for damages caused by their pet.<\/p>\n Safe coexistence between a child and a dog requires clear rules. Teach your child to always ask the owner for permission before petting a strange dog. Show how to approach a dog calmly from the side and allow it to sniff their hand first. The most important rule is to give the dog peace while it is eating, sleeping, or in its own space. Never leave a child and a dog alone together without supervision.<\/p>\n In a professional daycare, such as at Tassu & Tassu, safety is at the core of everything. The risk is minimised through a careful introduction process, where we assess each dog’s suitability for the group. Dogs are divided into small, compatible packs, and our trained animal caregivers continuously supervise their activities. This allows us to intervene in even minor tensions immediately, making daycare a safe and socially enriching experience.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A dog bite is always a shock, whether it involves your own dog or a stranger’s. At Tassu & Tassu pet hotel, we work daily with dozens of different dogs, so safety is the foundation of our operations. 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Why does a dog bite? Understand the reasons behind the behaviour<\/h2>\n
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Preventing dog bites \u2013 professional tips<\/h2>\n
Recognise the dog’s stress signals<\/h3>\n
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Respect the dog’s space and resources<\/h3>\n
How do we at Tassu & Tassu ensure safety?<\/h3>\n
\nFrequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Can the behaviour of a biting dog be changed?<\/h3>\n
Does insurance cover damages caused by a dog bite?<\/h3>\n
How are children taught to interact with dogs?<\/h3>\n
Is dog daycare safe in terms of bites?<\/h3>\n