Dogs can bite for a number of reasons. This is important for pet owners to understand prior to introducing a dog into an environment with young children. Dogs are considered pack animals and much of their behavior is based on these instincts.
Because of their size relative to young children, they may consider themselves superior. They may try to exert this instinct by displaying protective behavior toward a territory, possession, or person.
Children, younger ones under the age of five in particular, oftentimes do not understand the concept of boundaries when it comes to animals or humans. This becomes most evident when it relates to dogs that are familiar to the child, such as household dogs or dogs belonging to close friends. The combination of an overprotective dog and a child who does not understand boundaries can lead to a big problem
