PawNation: What causes a dog to bite someone?

Darlene Arden: Any number of factors can cause a dog to bite, but fear is often the reason. Sometimes it's redirected aggression. Pain is another. Most dog bites are by family dogs. Most people don't realize that they must supervise children with pets and teach their children how to behave around dogs - their own and someone else's. Children tend to talk loudly, swoop down on dogs and move suddenly. No dog can understand what it could have done to elicit that sort of response from a small human. Children often tug, poke, prod, climb on and otherwise cause pain. A dog has no choice but to clamp down in pain, and then the dog is blamed for the bite. Before the age of 7, children don't fully understand that they can inflict pain.

Other bites can come from trespassing on someone's property and the dog seeing it as a threat to his territory. Staring at a dog is considered a challenge. Don't look a strange dog in the eye. Sometimes there is an organic problem, like an underlying brain tumor, that can cause a dog to bite. And some dog breeds are better around children than others.

PN: Are certain breeds more prone to biting?

DA: Anything with teeth will bite. The more provoked the dog, the more likely the bite. That's the problem with the Pit Bull bans. If you look at the old "Little Rascals" movies, the kids' dog was a Pit Bull. But drug dealers and criminals who use them for dog fighting train them to bite. As the saying goes: Punish the deed, not the breed.

PN: Should "play biting" in a puppy always be discouraged, or is it a normal part of development?

DA: The only ones puppies should be allowed to play bite are their mother and littermates, because they are the only ones who can truly teach bite inhibition. Never let a puppy bite your fingers. If the puppy does bite, yelp like a puppy and then hand him an appropriate toy and praise him lavishly when he takes it. Puppies teethe and so they need a variety of things - hard toys, soft toys, etc. - to chew. They do not, however, need your fingers, and you will only encourage a biting problem later on. Stop it before it starts.

PN: What is the best and safest way to non-threateningly approach a dog?

DA: Don't look the dog in the eye. Turn your head to the side. Move slowly. Ask if you may pet the dog. If the owners aren't there, don't go on their property to pet the dog. Don't pat the dog on the head, because that appears to the dog that he is about to be hit. Instead, close your hand into a fist and let the dog sniff your knuckles. If he seems okay with that, you can gently scratch him under the chin and then move your hand around slowly until you're petting him behind the ear. Be gentle.

PN: What are the warning signs of an aggressive dog?

DA: There are different types of aggression, but generally speaking, watch for a dog who becomes rigid and very still. The dog may lunge without making contact, bark threateningly, he may mouth a person or animal in attempt to establish control, bare his teeth, punch with his nose, snarl (growl and show teeth), his mouth may snap, he might nip quickly without leaving a mark, or bite leaving a bruise, he may leave puncture wounds, he may hold on and shake. His eyes may narrow. He may raise his hackles. Never make the assumption that a dog is friendly, especially if you see a display of any of these behaviors.

PN: How should I behave around a dog that already appears agitated?

DA: Stand still and look away from the dog. You might try yawning. Sometimes dogs yawn because they yawn, and other times it's used as a calming signal to calm himself or someone else. He should recognize your yawn as a sign that you are OK. Don't make any sudden moves. Don't run away from the dog. Teach children to act like a tree. And if the dog lunges, drop down to a fetal position and cover your head with your hands.

PN: If I must approach an aggressive dog for some reason - i.e., if it's hurt and needs help - how can I best protect myself?

DA: Even a sweet dog will bite if he's injured. He's in pain and afraid. Muzzle the dog before you do anything else to assure that you're not bitten. Be aware of his body language. Approach slowly and talk in a gently, reassuring voice. No eye contact. Ignore a wagging tail because it doesn't always mean that a dog is friendly. He can wag his tail while attacking you.

PN: If a dog bites someone, does it mean the dog needs behavioral training?

DA: The dog needs a complete veterinary workup, including a neurological workup and complete thyroid panel to determine if the aggression is illness-induced. That said, all dogs need positive training. I recommend operant conditioning (clicker training) to build the bond, or lure and reward if someone physically can't work with the clicker. No dog should be left untrained. It's not fair to the dog or owner.

PN: What should I do if a dog bites me?

DA: Always be sure that your dog is up to date on his vaccinations. He can pass along disease with a bite. Put a clean towel over the bite to stop the bleeding. Elevate the injured area, wash the injured area daily and apply an antibiotic ointment daily. See a doctor, who will want to know if the dog has had all of his shots and if he's up to date on his vaccinations, especially rabies. Your doctor can tell how deep the bite is and treat you appropriately. Dog bites must be reported.

PN: What should I do if my dog bites someone else?

Need a little cute in your life? We all do. There's nothing wrong with getting a warm and fuzzy fix on a daily basis. That's why we're here, with a dose of the most aww-inducing animal pictures on the Web this week.

IT'S ALL ABOUT ME

A dog is seen performing in the Moscow Cat Theatre show in Russia. The theater was recently re-opened after a top-to-bottom renovation. Awesome!

I WILL GET YOU

At the Houston Zoo in Texas, a leopard named Kadu is seen playing with a root ball (with a thawed rat inside) as a form of enrichment. The carnivores at the zoo are encouraged to work for their food. 

DARLING DOLPHIN

At Dolfinarium Harderwijk in the Netherlands, children look at a dolphin swimming by. So cool!

EXTRA PUG-TERRESTRIAL 

Peke the Pug is pictured as E.T. at the Milwaukee Pug Fest in Franklin, Wis., after winning first place in the costume contest. The annual event helps pay for medical and dental bills for rescued pugs.

MONKEY BABY

At the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York, a baby paras monkey has been born to new mother Becca. This is the fifth baby paras monkey born at the zoo. So cute!

PLEASED TO MEET YOU

Moose the baby fennec fox meets the county executive at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in New York. 

A RHINO WAY OF LIFE

A male white rhinoceros calf is seen walking alongside his mother at the Taronga Zoo in Australia. Very adorable!

ALL THAT JAZZ

In Saint-Louis, Senegal, people and animals congregate together on a fishing beach while attending the 21st edition of the annual Jazz Festival.

PARCHED BABY

An adorable monkey is photographed drinking water from a tank tap on a very hot day in Allahabad, India. 

TURTLE TIME

Acupuncturist Claire McManus watches a pair of beautiful sea turtles who are recovering from a stranding at the New England Aquarium in Quincy, Mass. 

AMAZING LITTLE AARDVARK

At the Antwerpen Zoo in Belgium, a baby aardvark is receiving around-the-clock TLC from keepers. The sex of the cub is unknown, and the youngster needs to be fed every three hours. What a cutie!

IT'S POLLINATING TIME

A beautiful photograph shows a bee collecting pollen from a red flower in Baghdad. 

WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE?

A beautiful Siberian tiger gets up close and personal with the camera in his enclosure at the zoo in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. 

MAGNIFICENT MANATEE

At the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Md., a manatee is pictured looking very adorable. Unfortunately, there are fewer than 5,000 manatees left in the southeast region of the U.S. 

CUTE CHICK

A baby chick is seen being held during the 5th annual BlogPaws 2013 conference in Virginia. BlogPaws organizes the conference for pet bloggers to gather and meet with their pets. 

JAZZY JAVAN BABY

In North Carolina's Greensboro Science Center, an endangered Javan gibbon newborn named Duke is being fed by a bottle. Isn't he adorable?

ROYAL RUFFS

The Norwegian royal family poses for a picture with their family dog, Milly Kakao, as they celebrate Norway National Day in Asker, Norway.

MONKEY BUSINESS

Gorgeous 7-week-old lemur twins take a ride on their mother's back at the zoo in Erfurt, Germany. 

LEMUR LOVE

At the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, a baby red-bellied lemur is pictured riding on the back of its mother, Gizmo. Can you spot the little cutie?

The Fat-Blasting Doggy Workout Circuit

If you don't live near a dog-friendly class--and aren't into running with your canine--you can still get in on the fit-pet action. Montgomery created this 30-minute circuit, which alternates between cardio and body-weight training moves, to give you and your canine a heart-pumping full-body workout.

Rover's reverse lunges with paw
Tell your dog to sit. Then face him with your feet together. Step back with one foot so that your front leg is bent at a 90-degree angle with your knee directly above your ankle. At the bottom of each lunge, ask your dog for his paw to "shake." Release the dog's paw as you stand to return to your starting position. Repeat on the other side, and ask your dog for his other paw. Repeat for 20 reps. NOTE: If your dog doesn't know how to "shake"--or won't do it 20 times--pat him on the head instead.

Sit-and-stay side shuffles

Holding the leash so your dog moves with you, perform a side shuffle across the room or workout area. Then, facing the same direction, shuffle back to your starting position. Repeat 10 times.

RELATED: 21 Ways To Make Fitness More Fun

Paws push ups

Ask your dog to sit or lie down next to you while you get into pushup position. Keeping your abs tight, and elbows tucked into your sides, lower your body until it hovers above the ground, then push back up. Do as many as you can, dropping from your toes to your knees if needed. While you recover, have your dog do five Doggy Push Ups: Tell him to sit, then lay down five times. 

Waggin' wall sit

With your back against a wall, sit so your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. If your dog is small, hold him.

RELATED: 5 More Fun Ways To Exercise With Your Pet

If your dog is large, ask him to put his paws on your lap to increase the challenge. Hold the wall sit for up to one minute.

High-paw knees

Perform high knees back and forth across the room or outdoor space while your dog walks or jogs next to you. Repeat for one minute.

SCOTTY

Scotty is a champion Corgi, a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show alumnus and a normally very active dog with herding titles under his collar. So when he suddenly lost his usual bounce, his owner, Mari Carroll of Westport, Conn., grew concerned. Then one day in 2011, Scotty fainted, keeling over in front of Carroll. She rushed him to his veterinarian for an EKG that showed Scotty was suffering from heart failure. He was transferred to specialists at CUVS who implanted a pacemaker.

"They saved his life," Carroll said.

Scotty has a human pacemaker, but instead of being planted in the chest cavity as is done with humans, it's in his neck and connected to his heart from there. After six weeks of crate rest following his surgery, Scotty got his bounce back and continues to play with his dog friends like any other normal dog.

MR. BLUE POWELL

Mr. Blue Powell, a 135-pound Newfoundland therapy dog, lost the use of his legs after tearing ligaments in both his knees. The corrective surgery known as a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) was particularly challenging for a dog of his size and weight, and involved realigning bones with plates and screws to bypass the torn ligaments.

"He's my bionic boy," said Mr. Blue's owner, Addie Powell, marveling how his procedure has put Mr. Blue back on his feet and allows him to live pain free. Mr. Blue is back at work and recently visited children in Sandy Hook after the school shootings.

DAVE

When a 16-year-old female orange tabby named Dave was brought into the CUVS emergency room suffering from diarrhea, vomiting and with blood in her feces, doctors diagnosed that she was in a severe state of shock, but were unable to determine the initial cause. Tests revealed she was very anemic and had virtually no platelets in her blood, which explained why it wasn't clotting. Most animals in this condition do not survive. 

Fortunately for the tabby, doctors went to work on her and she received several blood transfusions to help rectify her blood-clotting problem. Dave won her battle. She is back to her usual purring, playful self.

LUCKY

Animal-rescue volunteer Eric Bellows found Lucky wandering the streets of Los Angeles with gunshot wounds in his legs. While a local veterinarian was treating these wounds, it turned out that both his right front and left rear legs were both painfully and chronically luxated, or dislocated, due to his previous injuries from abuse. He was flown to the CUVS facility for further treatment. While operating to resolve Lucky's orthopedic issues, doctors further discovered that he had heartworms. While heartworm extraction is a common operation when the heartworms are lodged in the heart, Lucky's case was more complicated because worms were in the pulmonary artery.

Doctors managed to extract the worms and implant plates into each leg so that Lucky would be able to walk pain-free. To complete the happy ending to Lucky's story, a CUVS staff member adopted him. 

TEDDY

In 2011, a 5-year-old poodle mix named Teddy was hit by a vehicle and dragged a considerable distance on the asphalt, which ripped all the skin off his lower body. Owners Nina and Alan Fuchsberg rushed him to the emergency room at CUVS, where he underwent multiple blood transfusions and skin grafts, and spent four weeks in the intensive care unit. Swathed in heavy bandages, the little dog fought on bravely to full recovery.

Today, Teddy's hair is back to its former Poodle-ish grandeur. He showed off his medal with a big doggy smile.

HENRY

A King Charles Spaniel named Henry was rushed to the emergency room after he was involved in an auto accident and hit by two cars. According to owner Suzanne Cingari, the doctors on duty claimed that the little dog's injuries were among the most severe they had seen. Henry sustained multiple, severe pelvic fractures, as well as major damage to several organs. He spent 10 days in the ICU, where doctors used a state-of-the-art, vacuum-assisted wound closure system to help heal his injuries. Now completely healed, Henry enjoyed all the fun (and treats) when he attended the reunion to receive his medal.

FLUFF

At 11 weeks old, a Burmese kitten named Fluff weighed only 1.5 pounds and appeared to be half the size of her littermates. While they bounced around and thrived, she remained lethargic and non-responsive. Her owner, Kirstin Gard, refused to give up on her, and sought help from critical care specialist Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, who diagnosed a rare congenital abnormality known as congenital hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce a hormone essential for normal growth, metabolism and function.

"This condition is extremely rare and most veterinarians will never see a case in their lifetime," explained Mazzaferro. "Fortunately, once diagnosed, the condition is easily managed with thyroid hormone supplementation."

Fluff caught up with her littermates and is now a fully active and very playful member of the Gard household.

BO

Usually a very bouncy Labrador, Bo was diagnosed with hepatic lymphoma (liver cancer). Given the poor prognosis for this disease, veterinary oncologist Dr. Gerald Post experimented and designed a special veterinary cocktail of chemotherapy protocols. 

CALIFORNIA CUTIES

Actress Jane Lynch poses with a cute Lhasa Apso in Venice, Calif., while hosting a PBS series called "Shelter Me."

WHERE THE LADIES AT?

In the U.K. at the Chester Zoo, Meru the male giraffe recently arrived from a zoo in Germany. He is supposedly getting to know the giraffe girls very well. What a cutie!

PRETTY PUFFINS

Puffins are pictured on the Inner Farne in the Farne Islands as the 2013 National Trust Puffin census begins. They're so adorable.

BORNEO BEAUTY

Beautiful borneo apes are seen playing in their enclosure at the zoo in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. 

CANADIAN CUTENESS

Panda Da Mao eats bamboo during a visit from a VIP crowd the Metro Toronto Zoo in Canada.

LION PLAYTIME

At the West Midlands Safari Park in Bewdley, a lion is photographed chasing keepers around the new off-road track in its enclosure.

FIERCE FALCON

A gorgeous peregrine falcon is seen flying over Leipzig, eastern Germany. The species have been ringed in Leipzig to research the diurnal activity of the endangered birds.

LIL' VIPER BABIES

Baby Kanburi pit viper snakes are now on display at the Natural History Museum in Germany. There are 12 snakes altogether. 

HUNGRY, HUNGRY RHINO

In Australia at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, a greater one-horned rhino is seen using its mouth to pluck leaves for grazing. 

 KALI CUB

This is Kali, a polar bear cub orphaned when his mother was killed by a hunter in Alaska. Kali moved to the Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 15.

GORILLA GROWING UP

This is the youngest gorilla at the Taronga Zoo in Australia. She loves testing boundaries to see how far she can venture from her mother before being reined back in. See more photos of her in the zoo's Facebook photo album.

THIS ONE'S A STRETCH

During a baby-animal inventory, Germany's Hagenbeck Zoo measures little Tamu the giraffe.

BABY BEAR

This female black bear is 45 days old. She was found by children playing in the fringes of a town near the dense forest of Kaghan Valley in Northwest Pakistan. The cub is being cared for at a wildlife office in Mansehra, Pakistan, until she's old enough to be released back into the wild.

SHOW GOAT

A judge checks out a goat at the Devon County Show on May 16 in Exeter, England. It's one of the region's biggest county shows, and is used as a barometer for the health of the whole agricultural industry.

COOL ROOMMATES

Mianga the lion poses with owner Ales Basista in the garden of Basista's house in Stupava, Czech Republic.

WALRUS SNACK

A walrus enjoys a treat during the baby-animal inventory at Hagenbeck Zoo in Germany.

BOUNCING BABOON BABIES

Gelada baboons play around their zoo enclosure in Zurich, Switzerland.

PAWSOME PAINTER

Mawson the dingo gets in touch with his creative side at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

MOTHER AND CHILD

Nonja the orangutan, 35, enjoys a quiet moment of bonding with her newborn. The baby was born on May 8.

TRIMMED TO PERFECTION 

At Alpaca-Land farm in Obertrum, Austria, a shorn alpaca shows off its cute new 'do after being trimmed to make it more comfortable for the summer months. 

SWAN SWEETIES

In Germany, a swan couple swims on a pond with their adorable chicks. Too cute!

WILD DAWGS

A beautiful trio of African wild dogs turns 8 years old today at the Oregon Zoo. Happy birthday to Widdle, Wooster and Wally!

KIRRA THE KOALA

At the San Diego Zoo in California, a koala has been named! The cutie's name is Kirra, which means "leaf" in an Aboriginal Australian language. 

CANNES CANINES

At the 66th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France, a man is seen walking his very adorable dogs. Aw, so cute!

CONDOR CUTENESS

The Los Angeles Zoo has named a beautiful condor named Dolly as the nation's first crucially threatened condor ambassador. 

A LITTLE HELP FROM MAMA

Moyo the baby elephant receives a little help from his mother, Sabie, during his first outing at the zoo in Wuppertal, Germany. 

THREE LITTLE PIGGIES

At the Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, U.K., newborn wild boar sisters Hettie, Dotty and Gertie are pictured together looking very, very cute. Their mother had a large litter and was unable to give them the attention they needed, so a keeper has been looking after the tiny triplets around the clock. 

LEMUR LOVE

Ring-tailed lemurs are pictured looking out a window in their new outdoor enclosure at the Darwineum department of the zoo in Rostock, Germany. 

TOO MUCH CUTENESS

A tiger cub is seen being examined at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, prior to being determined a female. Girl power!

BOOBOOK BEAUTY

In Australia at the Taronga Zoo, three gorgeous boobook owls are currently doing well at the zoo's rehabilitation center after being rescued from a tree that was cut down. Their names are Sarah, Percy and Bill. Adorable!

SUMATRAN SWEETNESS

Kali the Sumatran tiger is growing very quickly at the Point Defiance Zoo in Washington state. She now weighs a bit more than 9 pounds. So cute!

CHECKIN' YOU OUT

At the Reid Park Zoo in Arizona, Jasiri the giraffe inspects a duckling in his pond.

STRETCHING THOSE PAWS

Alec Baldwin is photographed walking his adorable dog in New York City's West Village.

UNIMPRESSED CUTIE

A beautiful little musk ox baby has been welcomed at the Calgary Zoo in Alberta, Canada. We're loving the cute face he's making!

STOP. BANANA TIME!

In Texas at the Houston Zoo, a raccoon is seen enjoying a nice, sweet banana. Yum!

PRECIOUS AND PRICKLY 

At the Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia, an echidna is seen eating some food. These animals use their really long tongues to suck the food back into their beaks when they eat. Very cool!

NICE NUZZLES

A newborn banteng receives a comforting nuzzle from mom, Pari, at the Chester Zoo in the U.K. 

A RARE SIGHT

A rare Javan gibbon baby has just recently arrived at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo in Indiana. He is only the second of his kind to be born in a U.S. zoo this past year, so he is very special. 

BEAUTIFUL BEETLE 

An American burying beetle is shown off by insectarium keeper Mandy Pritchard at the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio. The species is federally protected. 

TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Jack Hanna shows off a gorgeous lynx on ABC's "Good Morning America."

PRECIOUS PRAIRIES

At the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, adorable baby prairie dogs pop from their burrows and are seen interacting with each other. Seventeen babies have been counted so far!

CAMEL CUTENESS

A guide is seen leading a camel near the Yueyaquan Crescent Lake in Dunhuang, China.

ADOPT ME, PWEEZ?

A kitten up for adoption is pictured in its cage in New York City during the North Shore Animal League America Mobile Adoption Initiative Launch. Such a cutie!

SHEARED TO PERFECTION

In Magdeburg, Germany, keepers are seen holding alpacas undergoing the shearing procedure. Alpacas need to be sheared every two years to avoid any felting of their coats.

SWIM LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

Beautiful pelicans are pictured swimming on a lake at the Giza Zoo in Egypt.

GOODNESS, GOAT CUTENESS

On NBC News, Sara Haines appears on the "Today" show holding an adorable baby goat. Too cute!

I'VE GOT YOU, BABE

Western lowland gorilla mother Momoko holds her baby at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo. What a cutie!

PRETTY PUDSEY

In London, England, Pudsey the tog pops a pose with David Walliams, Hugh Bonneville and Tayla Butler at the Arqiva British Academy Television Awards. He's got talent!

"I hadn't seen Norman all morning, because he often goes roaming around," said Jones. "So I had a feeling it was him when I saw the cat by the side of the road."

It was a fate Jones always thought was inevitable for her scrappy outdoor cat. Norman had been known to get into fights with other cats, and last year he came home one day with a broken leg. 

The family brought Norman's body home with them to honor the cat with a proper funeral. Jones' 22-year-old son Harry spent hours digging a grave, and the body was interred with Norman's favorite toy mouse. As a final touch, the family placed a porcelain cat figurine on the ground to mark the grave site.

Jones naturally thought the cat funeral marked the end of her time with Norman, so it gave her quite a surprise then next morning when he bounded into her kitchen as usual, ready for breakfast.

Jones went outside to see if the cat had emerged from the fresh grave, but she found it intact. Norman wasn't a zombie, then, and clearly he wasn't dead. Jones realized she and her family had buried some other cat, one they didn't know.

"It was exactly the same size, same color and had the same face," Jones said of the dead cat, comparing it to Norman.