Dog Bite Risk Assessment Guidelines: DBR24

Dog Bite Risk Assessment Guidelines

The assessment of dog bite risk has historically involved unstructured clinical judgement that is heavily focused on the dog concerned. However, research suggests that aggression in dogs is influenced by many factors, including those relating to the humans in charge of the dog and their environment.

Following extensive research at the University of Lincoln, we have developed the DBR24^©. This is structured professional judgement guidance for the assessment of human-directed dog bite risk.

What is the DBR24^©

The DBR24^© guides professionals through the risk assessment process by providing a structured approach, which comprehensively considers factors that the scientific evidence suggests may influence the risk of a dog biting a person. This is the first time that structured professional judgement has been applied to the assessment of dog bites; it is a well-established and extensively researched model that is used in the field of forensic psychology for the assessment of human violence.

By using an evidence-based model, professionals are more likely to better predict and prevent dog bites. It is hoped that the DBR24^© will encourage more professionals to move away from using provocative tests when carrying out behaviour assessments, which research suggest are not predictive of how a dog may behave in the future in a home environment. Exposing dogs to distressing stimuli in assessments that we know are unlikely to predict future behaviour raises ethical concerns.

Users of the DBR24^© must successfully attend a formal training course to become licensed users of the guidelines. This training will likely improve consistency between professionals making risk judgements.

For more details about the DBR24^© please visit www.dbr24.com.

To contact me, please call 07725 197253 or email me at info@dogbehaviourexpert.co.uk