May 19-25 2013 was National Dog Bite Prevention Week. It is easy to humanize the behavior of dogs. This can sometimes create an interaction that we consider friendly but dogs view as threatening. Probably the most important message lost in translation from dog to human is that a dog might not want to interact at all in a given moment. Luckily, dogs are expressive and social animals, and they will tell us a lot…but we need to be willing to listen. Here are some tips to recognize some of the various types of dog body language and how best to interact with them safely.
Yawning is a sign of stress Anxious dogs show face and body language that reflects their emotional state. These signs include yawning, lip-licking, panting, opening their eyes wide and often with big dilated pupils, pinning back their ears, and turning their head to avoid eye contact. A scared dog might simply “freeze” while being petted or hugged. Dogs are more likely to bite in this situation.
Rolling over can be a dog’s way of saying “STOP” The simplest way to check this situation is to first think about whether the interaction was started by the person or the dog. If the person approached the dog, then the dog is usually telling the person to stop and walk away. On the other hand, if the dog approached the person and then rolled onto its back, he probably wants attention or play. If the dog’s body is stiff, don’t touch. If it is relaxed, perhaps wriggling around, then petting might be fine.
Tail wagging does not mean the dog is friendly A wagging tail says little about whether a dog is friendly. A tail-wagging dog can still bite. Dogs may wag their tails as a sign of fear, stress, alertness, or arousal as well as happiness. Much of what we understand about dog language depends on its context. While a dog greeting its owners might be excitedly wagging its tail as they enter the house, the same dog might stand still, except for wagging its tail, as it is approached by an unfamiliar child on the street. In the latter situation, it should not be assumed the dog is friendly toward the child.
Dogs may not want to befriend strangers When guests are meeting an unfamiliar dog, the best way to help the dog feel comfortable is to ask them to resist touching, staring at, or reaching toward him/her. Guests should instead chat with the owner or sit nearby. Dogs that want to interact usually let the guests know.
Let sleeping/resting dogs lie. Sometimes knowing a common adage is a sure bet that it will be ignored. When dogs are sleeping, they are likely to be startled when woken and therefore may bite defensively and quickly. More confusing for pet owners are dogs that are awake but growl when approached or touched. In a recent study, dogs that bit children who knew them were most likely to be lying or sitting still at the time of the bite, suggesting that the child approached the dog while it was resting. This behavior is particularly likely if the dog is in a den-like spot, such as on furniture or a dog bed.
Separate your dog or supervise them closely around children Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can be scary to dogs because of their high-pitched voices, fast movements, and unpredictable behavior. For this reason alone, it is important never to leave dogs unsupervised with children and vice versa.
It’s NOT dominance Probably the greatest misunderstanding between people and their pets is the notion that dogs’ misbehaviour, especially aggression, is rooted in dominance. This misconception has led to harsh corrections and frustration. The best approach is to understand that dogs bite in fear, self-defense, or defense of resource. This approach ends in greater long-term success because the dog is less frustrated or frightened.
Keeping the bond… No matter how deeply any dog is loved, the relationship with its human family will be jeopardized if the dog bites someone. Aggressive behavior cannot be “cured,” but it can sometimes be prevented or certainly minimized by following the above-mentioned principles. Dogs, like many people, feel safest when interactions are predictable and gentle.
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