The #1 Mistake People Make With Their “Friendly” Dog That Leads to Bites
The #1 Mistake People Make With Their “Friendly” Dog That Leads to Bites
How many times have you heard someone say: “Don’t worry, he’s friendly!” right before their dog jumps, growls, or worse, bites?
We hear it every week. And it’s almost always the same mistake: owners assume “friendly” means safe in every situation.
Why “Friendly” Doesn’t Always Mean Safe
A dog can be loving, goofy, and gentle with their family… and still bite when they’re stressed, fearful, or guarding something they value.
The problem is that owners confuse “my dog has never bitten me” with “my dog will never bite anyone.” That’s a dangerous assumption.
Here’s what really happens:
The dog is pushed past their comfort zone (like a stranger hugging them).
The dog gives warning signals like stiff body, side-eye, growl.
The owner ignores it because “he’s friendly.”
The dog learns the only way to be heard is to bite.
Common Scenarios Where “Friendly” Dogs Bite
Kids hugging or climbing on them - dogs tolerate until they don’t.
Food or toy guarding, even a family-friendly Lab, can snap if his bone is touched.
Overstimulation at parties or dog parks. There’s too much chaos, not enough structure.
On-leash frustration: the “friendly” dog who pulls to greet others can lunge if restrained.
The Fix: Proper Training
The solution isn’t to label your dog “bad” or live in fear. It’s about setting them up for success.
Proper training is here. You don’t have to live in fear that those behaviors will surface at any moment. It’s important to address the behaviors and corrective behaviors and not one from the behaviors.
What We See at Bullys Behaven
Almost every aggression case we work with started with an owner who said: “He’s never done this before… he’s always been friendly.”
Friendly dogs bite when they’re misunderstood. With the right structure, training, and leadership, those bites can be prevented and your dog can truly be safe, not just “friendly.”
Ready to Prevent Problems Before They Start?
At Bullys Behaven, we specialize in helping families across New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Staten Island understand their dogs better, prevent bites, and rebuild trust. Whether your dog has already had an incident or you want to stop one before it happens, we can help.
Contact us today to talk about the right program for your dog.
