What To Do If Your Dog Gets Bitten — And What To Do If You Get Bitten

Dog bites are terrifying — whether your dog is the one who’s hurt or you end up in the middle of it. In Cape Town, where dog-friendly beaches, mountain trails, and neighbourhood walks are part of daily life, knowing how to handle a bite incident is essential for every pet parent. As trusted pet sitters in Cape Town, we’ve dealt with reactive dogs, dog bites, and post-incident care, and we want you to feel confident and prepared.

Below is a practical guide on how to stay safe, protect your dog, and manage a bite incident calmly and effectively.

How to Identify a Potential Threat Before a Bite Happens

A huge part of preventing a bite is spotting signs early. Look for:

1. Lead-Reactive Dogs

A dog who is on-lead and showing any of the following may react unpredictably:

• Hard staring

• Stiff, forward-leaning posture

• Raised hackles

• Lunging, barking, or circling

• Tension in the handler’s arm (the owner pulling the dog tight)

If you see this, calmly cross the road or give the dog space.

2. Body Language Red Flags

Dogs communicate long before they bite. Watch for:

• Lip lifting

• Freezing

• Tight mouth

• Whale eye (white of the eye showing)

• Tail held high and rigid

• Low growling

• Sudden stillness

If you see these signals, create space and keep your dog close.

If a Dog Fight Happens: How to Safely Separate Dogs

Dog fights are fast, noisy, and chaotic. Instinct tells you to grab collars or pull dogs apart — but this is the most common reason humans get bitten.

The Safest Technique: Lift the Aggressor Dog’s Hind Legs

If safe to do so:

1. Move behind the aggressor dog.

2. Lift its back legs like a wheelbarrow.

3. Step back while lifting so the dog must pivot and release.

Why this works:It interrupts the dog’s balance and instinctively forces it to let go without redirecting a bite onto you.

Avoid putting your hands near the dogs’ heads at all costs. This is how accidental human bites almost always happen.

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Bitten

Once the dogs are separated:

1. Check for Bleeding

Some bite wounds look small but can be deep.

• If bleeding heavily: apply firm pressure with a clean cloth or bandage.

• If bleeding is mild: gently clean with saline or clean water.

• If a puncture wound is visible: your dog must see a vet — punctures close on the surface and trap bacteria underneath.

2. Give Immediate First Aid

You can:

• Flush the wound with saline

• Apply a clean, non-stick dressing

• Keep your dog calm to avoid shock

• Avoid using human antiseptic creams unless your vet has approved them

Always contact your vet after a dog bite, even if the wound seems minor.

3. Gather Details from the Other Party

Make sure you get:

• Owner’s full name

• Contact number

• Residential address

• Dog’s vaccination status (especially rabies)

• Photos of injuries and the dogs involved

• Names of any witnesses

This helps your vet, and it’s important if a medical or legal follow-up is needed.

If You Get Bitten

Trying to separate dogs carries a high chance of accidental bites. Even calm, friendly dogs can redirect in the heat of a fight.

1. Immediately Clean the Wound

• Wash deeply with soap and water for at least 5 minutes.

• Pat dry and cover with a clean dressing.

2. Seek Medical Help ASAP

You’ll likely need:

• Tetanus booster (especially if you haven’t had one in the last 5–10 years)

• Antibiotics — dog bites commonly cause infection

• Rabies treatment, only if:

  • the dog was unknown,

  • the dog was a stray, or

  • the dog’s vaccination status can’t be confirmed

Make sure to photograph your injuries and record the details of the dog that bit you.

Final Thoughts

Dog bite incidents are frightening, but knowing how to spot risks early — and how to respond calmly — can make all the difference. As experienced pet sitters in Cape Town, our team at What a Treat is trained to monitor dog body language, prevent conflict, and act quickly if an incident does occur.

If you ever have concerns about your dog’s behaviour, reactivity, or confidence, we’re here to help with training, safe socialisation support, and pet sitting services you can trust.