Why Dog Bites Can Happen—Even in Responsible Care

Dog daycare, whether offered in a commercial facility or a sitter’s home, gives pets a chance to stay active, socialized, and supervised while their owners are away. But like any environment where dogs and people interact, things don’t always go as planned.

Even well-behaved dogs may bite under stress. Loud noise, unfamiliar surroundings, physical discomfort, or misread signals can push a dog past their threshold. In some cases, a bite happens during handling—like being leashed, picked up, moved from one space to another, or interrupted while eating or resting.

A bite can happen even with dogs that have no prior history of aggression. But once it occurs, everyone involved—pet owners, caregivers, and anyone injured—needs to know how to respond calmly and appropriately.

In This Article:

What Caregivers Should Do Immediately

Ensure Safety First

The first priority is separating the dog from the person who was bitten and any nearby animals. The goal is to stop the situation from escalating and create space where everyone feels secure. If the bite was serious, the caregiver may need to secure the dog in another room or crate before tending to the injury.

Caregivers should remain calm and avoid punishing the dog in the moment. Dogs that bite can become confused or frightened afterward, and harsh reactions increase the chance of another outburst or shutdown.

Respond to the Injury

Once the situation is contained, assess the bite and call for medical assistance if needed. Even seemingly minor bites can cause infection or nerve damage. Clean the wound gently if appropriate, and contact emergency services if the bleeding is significant or the person appears disoriented.

If the injured person is the sitter or caregiver themselves, they should avoid downplaying the injury. Health and safety come first, and accurate documentation matters later.

Notify the Dog’s Owner Immediately

As soon as the situation is under control, the dog’s owner should be informed. Caregivers should share:

The time and location of the bite
What happened leading up to the bite
How the dog and the injured person responded
Whether medical care was provided or needed

Clear, honest communication sets the tone for how the situation moves forward. Avoid speculation or blaming. Stick to what is known and be transparent about next steps.

What to Ask If You’re the Dog’s Owner

Finding out your dog bit someone is stressful—and it’s not always clear what it means for you or your dog going forward. The best place to start is by calmly asking the caregiver what they observed.

Important questions to ask:

Was the bite provoked or completely unexpected?
Was this during handling, feeding, or play?
Has your dog shown signs of discomfort or stress in recent visits?
How was your dog managed afterward?

You should also ask whether your dog needs to be picked up or removed from the daycare. Depending on the severity of the bite, the caregiver may not feel safe continuing care, at least temporarily.

In many cases, dogs that bite can return after a break and behavior assessment—but not always. Your goal is to understand what happened and start thinking about what environment is safest for your dog and others going forward.

Legal and Financial Responsibility

When a dog injures a person, questions about liability and costs come up quickly. If a sitter or staff member needs medical care, you may be asked to cover treatment or submit a claim through your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

According to Loewy Law Firm, the outcome of a dog bite case can depend on who was supervising the animal, whether the bite was foreseeable, and what preventive steps were—or weren’t—taken beforehand.

In some states, dog owners are automatically responsible for bite injuries, regardless of whether the dog showed signs of aggression in the past. Other states take context into account—like whether the injured person provoked the dog, whether the owner warned the caregiver about behavioral issues, or whether the bite could have been prevented with better handling. In a daycare or sitting environment, responsibility can shift depending on what both the owner and the provider knew—or should have known—before the bite happened.

If someone was injured while caring for your dog, it’s wise to speak with an attorney—especially if the injury required significant treatment or if legal action is being discussed.

Documenting the Incident

Whether you’re the owner of the dog or the person who was bitten, keep a record of what was said and done following the bite.

Save:

Emails, texts, or phone call summaries with the caregiver or facility
Photos of the injury, both immediately and during healing
Veterinary or medical records, if applicable
Notes about any behavior changes in the dog after the incident

If a report was filed with animal control or another agency, request a copy. If the bite required emergency care, that documentation will be created automatically and should be shared with everyone involved.

Detailed and clear documentation helps encourage accurate communication and protects both the pet owner and the caregiver from misunderstandings or incorrect assumptions.

How Pet Sitters and Daycare Providers Can Reduce Risk

Dog bites aren’t always predictable—but there are steps pet care providers can take to reduce the risk and respond responsibly when they do occur.

Best practices include:

Gathering detailed behavior history before accepting a new dog
Watching closely during feeding, transitions, and high-energy moments
Recognizing early signs of fear, overstimulation, or guarding behavior
Avoiding forceful handling or surprises, especially with anxious dogs
Giving dogs plenty of rest breaks and calm time between group activity

Providers should also have a written emergency protocol for bites or injuries and share it with pet owners during onboarding. Transparency builds trust—and makes it easier to navigate hard moments when they arise.

What to Do If It Happens Again

If a second bite occurs—whether involving the same dog or a new situation—it’s time to take a closer look at the care environment and the dog’s behavior patterns.

For owners:

Book a behavior consult or training session
Pause group play or daycare until a plan is in place
Let any new sitters or facilities know about past incidents up front

For providers:

Reassess whether that dog is a good fit for the setting
Consider alternatives like one-on-one care or structured enrichment
Set clear boundaries with pet parents about risk and care expectations

No one wants to label a dog unfairly. But recognizing patterns and responding early helps avoid more serious injuries—and protects everyone involved.

Emotional Fallout: It’s Normal to Feel Upset

A bite isn’t just a medical incident. It can damage trust, strain relationships, and bring up guilt, fear, or frustration—no matter which side you’re on.

If your dog bit someone, you might feel ashamed or defensive. If you were bitten, you might feel unsure about continuing in pet care—or letting that dog return.

Feeling unsure, upset, or even guilty is completely normal. Talk it through with a vet, a trainer, or a trusted colleague. Being proactive with support makes it easier to process what happened and decide what to do next.

Choosing the Right Care Moving Forward

Not every dog is suited for every daycare setting. Some need more structure. Others thrive in solo care or short visits. That doesn’t make the dog “bad”—it means you’ve learned what works and what doesn’t.

When evaluating future care:

Ask about bite protocols and emergency communication
Make sure caregivers feel comfortable being honest with you
Share anything relevant about your dog’s history, even if it’s tough to talk about
Prioritize low-stress, low-conflict environments over convenience

Your dog’s safety and the safety of others comes first. The right fit keeps everyone more confident and more protected.

Checklist: What to Do When Your Dog Bites Someone at Daycare

Stay calm and gather the facts from the caregiver
Ask exactly what happened and what led up to the bite
Take responsibility where appropriate, without jumping to conclusions
Cover medical costs if they’re reasonable and connected to the bite
Document all communication and keep copies of related records
Reassess whether the daycare or sitter environment is the right fit
Talk to your vet or a behavior expert if you notice any changes
Let future caregivers know about the situation so they can plan safely
Prioritize low-stress, well-supervised settings going forward
Know that a single bite occurrence doesn’t define your dog—but it does call for a thoughtful response

A Bite Changes Things—The Response Shapes What Happens Next

No one wants their dog to bite someone—or to get a call saying it happened. Whether you’re the owner, the caregiver, or the one who was injured, these moments bring stress and uncertainty.

But what happens afterward matters. A clear-headed response, honest communication, and a willingness to adapt can turn a difficult situation into a manageable one.

Bites at daycare don’t always lead to long-term problems. But they always call for thoughtful steps—and a renewed focus on safety, understanding, and responsibility.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary, legal, or behavioral advice. If a dog bite occurs during pet sitting or daycare, consult a qualified expert to determine the appropriate next steps for everyone involved.