Golden Retriever Biting Statistics

Dogs being aggressive and biting people are occasionally on the news. But many believe these accidents will never happen with a Golden retriever. Golden retriever biting statistics are low. Goldens are known for being loyal and super friendly. However, do they bite? If you have toddlers in your home, and you are looking for the perfect breed that can be integrated into your home, you must pick a dog that will never bite your loved ones.

The question is, will Golden retrievers bite humans? The answer to this is yes. Although this breed is generally known for its friendly and warm temperament, bad behavior can show up if they are improperly trained. This is further aggravated if they are abused and traumatized. A Golden retriever is like any other dog; if they are not treated properly, they could become a biter.

A majority of people choose a Golden retriever over other breeds because they are highly trainable and work well with families. Ensuring that your puppy is trained properly is the most crucial thing you should undertake to make sure that no biting accidents happen.

Golden Retriever Data – Golden Retriever Biting Statistics

According to statistics, the Golden retriever rarely makes an appearance on records of breeds most likely to bite. Golden retriever biting statistics are low.

Statistics were collated from 1984 to 2014 of reported attacks by dogs. The Golden retriever ranks 30th in the list with only 11 attacks in a period of 30 years.

That will be one Golden retriever attack every couple of years.

Bite Force

You might be wondering next how strong a golden retriever’s bite is. Their bite force is around 190 psi. However, this is only an estimate. There are no extensive studies on the bite force of well-known breeds. However, to compare with humans, a person can only have a 150-psi bite force using their molars.

Golden retrievers were bred to have a soft bite. It is a genetic characteristic of the Golden breed.

Keep in mind, goldens were originally utilized as hunting dogs, and they were bred to retrieve things. They are required to go and pick up game such as waterfowl and retrieve it for their hunter undamaged. Golden retriever biting statistics are low.

Goldens know that their bite is not their strongest feature, and because of this, they never react by biting.

Reasons Golden Retrievers Bite – Golden Retriever Biting Statistics

According to experts, the top reason for aggressive behavior in dogs happen, no matter the breed, is owners mishandling them. It may also be due to bad training and neglect and abuse of the dog.

When you apply training and care for your Golden retriever, you can eliminate any biting that might occur.

However, bites may still occur. In this case, it is most likely a reaction to the following circumstances:

Threatened

Your dog might feel attacked and threatened. They may also be undergoing physical pain. It normally occurs when children hold them unintentionally and hurt the dog while playing.

Breeders

You might also want to check if your puppy came from a shady breeder. Was it socialized poorly? If your puppy did not get the best care and maintenance in his early years or suffered some trauma or abuse, they might be fearful and distrustful of people for the rest of their life.

DNA

You might also want to examine the DNA of your dog. Is your Golden purebred, or is there a mix with another breed known to exhibit aggressive behavior? In some cases, an animal looks exactly like a purebred, but it is actually a crossbreed. If you obtain your puppy from an unknown lineage, there is a possibility that there are aggressive qualities in their gene that are not a true expression of the Golden retriever breed.

Age

Try to factor in if your dog is a senior or very young. Senior dogs, as well as puppies, are likelier to bite. In young puppies, the biting behavior must be trained out of them. When it comes to older dogs, they struggle with sight and hearing, making them likelier to act in self-defense if they misjudge a situation.

All of these are factors that might explain why a gentle and even-tempered Golden retriever may suddenly attack by biting.

Training a Golden Retriever Puppy From Biting

Playful biting is the typical behavior of any puppy, no matter the breed. But keep in mind that biting doesn’t mean your puppy is bad. They are just exhibiting the normal behavior of a puppy.

Fortunately, a Golden retriever is effortless to train. It is recommended that you train your Golden retriever puppy at once. Prevent them from developing other bad habits in addition to biting. It would be best if you established rules of proper behavior at an early age.

The most crucial thing to keep in mind is your puppy should never receive rewards in the form of food or attention after they bite. It serves as positive reinforcement.

The best way to train your puppy is to be aware of when they are likely to bite. Make sure to be ready when it happens.

When they bite, please respond with a strong no and immediately ignore them. You withdraw your attention and send a message that this behavior is unacceptable, and you will not tolerate it further.

Another option is to provide your puppy with a chew toy when they become nippy and mouthy.

Trainers recommend applying this training utilizing a spray with a bitter solution that you can put on your hand or arm to train your dog on biting’s negative effects.

No matter what technique you choose, the most crucial thing to remember is to be consistent.

Keep in mind that your Golden puppy wants to learn. That little furball wants to please you, and they want to hear those pleasant words: good dog.

Golden Retriever Biting Precautions

If you still have worries about aggressive behavior, make sure to apply the following safety measures:

Keep in mind that any dog has the potential to bite, no matter the breed. But overall, Golden retriever biting statistics are low.

Instruct young children about safe behavior, especially around unknown and aggressive animals. Remember the statistic, 50% of the bite victims are children.

If a strange dog approaches you, make sure to stop and don’t move. Don’t make loud noises or panic; it will only worsen the situation.

If you meet an aggressive dog on the street, avoid direct eye contact as much as possible.

Instead, make sure to utilize your strong authoritative voice and say no or go home. Wait until the dog leaves.

Don’t run. If you need to come near an aggressive dog, make sure to walk on by calmly.

Final thoughts

Golden retrievers are known for their gentle and loving temperament. Golden retriever biting statistics are low. It is the reason many dog lovers choose this breed. Thus, it is disconcerting if this breed suddenly bites and attacks aggressively. Ensure you have full knowledge of your Golden retriever to know the reasons behind behavior inconsistent with the breed. A good way to make sure that your Golden retriever will never bite in their lifetime is to choose a reputable breeder in the first place. Make sure that the puppy you bring home is properly socialized and comes from a good lineage.