Req 7c — Wounds and Dog Bites

A small cut and a deep wound are not the same problem, and a dog bite has its own risks because teeth drive bacteria deep into tissue. This requirement is about knowing the basics of first aid, staying calm, and recognizing when home care is not enough.

Treating Minor Wounds on a Dog

For a minor wound, the main goals are to stop bleeding if possible, clean the area gently, and protect it until the dog can be checked further if needed. You want to avoid making the wound dirtier or more painful.

Basic wound care often includes:

• Restraining the dog safely if needed
• Applying gentle pressure to control bleeding
• Cleaning around the wound carefully
• Using a clean dressing if needed
• Watching for swelling, redness, discharge, or worsening pain

When a Wound Is Serious

Some wounds need veterinary help immediately. Deep punctures, heavy bleeding, large tears, wounds near the eye, chest, or abdomen, and any injury exposing deeper tissue are emergencies. Bite wounds can look small on the surface but be much worse underneath.

First Aid for a Dog Bite to a Person

If a person is bitten by a dog, first aid should start right away. Wash the bite thoroughly with soap and water, control bleeding with clean pressure if needed, and seek adult and medical help promptly. Dog bites can become infected, and reporting rules may apply depending on local law and the situation.

It is also important to gather information about the dog if possible, especially vaccination status and ownership.

The official video below focuses on first aid for dog bites and is especially useful for the human-injury side of this requirement.

First Aid Is the First Step, Not the Last Step

This page connects directly to the next one. Once you understand wound care, you also need to know how to protect a wound with a simple dressing or bandage. That skill helps prevent contamination and gives you another useful tool before professional care takes over.