Why do dogs bite joggers?
Gordon Fadel
2025-06-28 06:16:10
Count answers: 7
Dogs can seemingly go from loving companions to beastly maneaters at the drop of a hat. For runners, joggers, and bikers who have been chased or even attacked by a dog while out in the park or on the sidewalk, the cause is the dog’s animalistic prey drive. Dogs in the wild would have to chase down their prey before it got away, and seeing someone running or a bike whizzing by quickly can trigger that instinct, according to renowned animal trainer Cesar Milan. Dogs actually become conditioned to this behavior. Initially, the dog just barks at the jogger; this is his way of defending his territory from the encroaching threat. When the jogger keeps on running, this reinforces the dog—he believes he is the reason that the jogger keeps on running. Over time, this same response will cause dogs to become even bolder, and they may begin to rush toward or chase the jogger. If the excitement becomes overwhelming, the dog may attack the jogger.
Read also
- How to stop a dog chasing joggers?
- How to stop a dog from chasing bikes?
- How to deal with dogs as a jogger?
- Why do dogs run after joggers?
- How to train a dog not to chase?
- Why do dogs chase cyclists?
- Why do dogs chase people on bikes?
- What is the defense against dogs while jogging?
- Why does my dog chase bicycles?