Assessing dog bite risk has, historically, been done using a “point-in-time” approach, judging a dog’s behavior in an unfamiliar environment without considering how that behavior might differ in a home setting or how well a family might be prepared to manage that risk.

A new approach, informed by human forensic psychology, may provide veterinary professionals, behaviorists, and caregivers alike with objective tools they can use to understand, assess, and potentially manage individual dogs’ bite risk.

Settle in for a deep dive into what studies show could be a more objective way to assess bite risk, as well as the role veterinary professionals can play in mitigating risk and educating clients.

As veterinary medicine continues to evolve, this Special Commentary poses a fundamental question: can financial success and clinical excellence truly coexist—and who should be leading the profession into the future?