People can unwittingly do things that animals interpret in unexpected ways. It doesn’t have to be abuse. In dogs some of the worst behavior is the result not of abuse but comes from letting the dog dominate... being permissively “nice.” Dogs need firm leadership; they are unhappy when it is not forthcoming.
A person can convey the idea they are submissive by getting down on the floor with the dog, encouraging dominant behavior from the dog, or laying on their back in its presence, etc.
Humans think smiling is friendly, for example. Most animals take it to be threatening.
And some animals take a direct stare to mean a challenge, or in the case of some prey animals, they may view a direct stare to be predatory and react out of fear either fleeing or fighting.
Petting a bird on the back is telling the bird you want to have sex and could get you lightly nipped if the bird doesn’t appreciate your interest and wants you to stop, or it can lead to more severe bites out of frustration if the birds was turned on and doesn’t get what it expects.
Pulling away when nipped by a bird [or a number of other animals] tells it you are weak, and may trigger the bird into more aggressive and demanding behavior - and harder bites.
People let their children hug the family dog around the neck and ride on their backs.
The stupidity is incredible.
/makes note to never pet a bird’s back
[although I did once, in ignorance, get one of my girl snakes awfully giggly by stroking her back]
o.O
“A person can convey the idea they are submissive by getting down on the floor with the dog, encouraging dominant behavior from the dog, or laying on their back in its presence, etc.”
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See, that’s where you and I are different. I believe a domesticated pet should not kill a person for getting down on the floor or laying on their back in its presence. If this type of dog requires the specialized focus and training of an exotics animal expert, and the escape proof enclosures used to protect the public from it, then it is not a pet and it belongs in a zoo.