Ian Dunbar Bite Scale
The Ian Dunbar Bite Scale is a system developed by veterinarian and animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar to assess the severity of dog bites based on the level of injury inflicted. It helps trainers, behaviorists, and veterinarians evaluate a dog's aggression and make informed decisions about training, management, or behavior modification. The scale consists of six levels:
Level 1:
The dog exhibits aggressive behavior (e.g., growling, lunging, snarling) but does not make skin contact. This is often a warning.
Level 2:
The dog makes contact with the skin using its teeth but does not break the skin. There may be minor redness or bruising, but no puncture wounds.
Level 3:
The dog inflicts a single bite that punctures the skin, with shallow wounds typically less than half the length of the dog's canine teeth. There is no tearing or deep tissue damage, and the dog may show immediate inhibition after the bite.
Level 4:
The dog delivers one to four bites that cause deep puncture wounds (greater than half the length of the canine teeth) or attempts to shake or hold. This level indicates a lack of bite inhibition and is more serious.
Level 5:
The dog inflicts multiple bites with deep punctures, often in quick succession or during an attack, and may shake or hold the victim. These incidents can result in severe injury and are typically considered dangerous aggression.
Level 6
The dog attack results in the death of the victim. This level is the most severe and rarest.
At Canine Kindness Co., we will work with dogs displaying Level 1 to Level 4 bites on the Ian Dunbar Bite Scale, in accordance with state and county laws. Our approach emphasizes compassion, positive reinforcement, and a deep understanding of behavior modification to help these dogs learn safer, more appropriate responses while ensuring the safety and well-being of both dogs,their guardians, and the community.
