Why does my dog bite after cuddles? Is it pain, fear, or anxiety?

Question

concerned out my dog he has been biting more and more recently, he will come up to you for a cuddle then snap at your hand. wondering what the problem could be. Pet's info: Dog | Border Collie | Male | neutered | 5 years and 8 months old

Elva Ma DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question. If Fleck's biting is a recent behaviour, I would first want to rule out any pain or discomfort that is eliciting this reaction. For this purpose, a vet visit should be the first step. The vet can perform a full physical exam to check for any areas of pain, and may recommend further testing such as x-rays or blood work to pinpoint a diagnosis. Appropriate medication can be dispensed if a diagnosis is found. If the behaviour is not due to a medical issue, then I would focus on finding out the source of his anxiety, and subsequently work on training. I would suggest getting help from a certified behavioural trainer for this purpose. I hope this helps, and that Fleck gets better soon!

Why does my dog bite after cuddles? Is it pain, fear, or anxiety?

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