When walking around in public, a person may not immediately notice the variety of expressions and emotions an animal has. A person jogging in a park or visiting a place of business can encounter a variety of dogs.
Understanding subtle gestures that show whether a dog is ready to bite could help you after a serious injury.
Movements and stillness
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a dog that is standing still may actually feel angry instead of calm. If the dog is following you with its eyes and baring its teeth while doing so, it could signal that it is watching you with the intent to attack.
Although some owners may insist that their dog is calm and ready to play, people should take careful notice of the posture and stiffness of the animal.
Increased interactions and opened mouth
After this initial interaction, a dog may try to tug or pull a person without biting down right away. Although the skin is not broken and there is no injury, the person may see the teeth of the animal. Increasingly intense moments of the dog pressing its muzzle against them may also happen.
Short and sudden nipping
Before biting down and dragging a person, a dog may attempt to lightly nip at them to see what will happen next. A person may notice this dog latching onto them for a short amount of time without breaking their skin.
Staying aware of what dogs look like when they are angry is important when trying to avoid a bite injury.
