A dog may raise the hair around the shoulder blades which we know signals arousal and lean forward into a "ready-to-go" stance and bark repeatedly. This kind of behavior is more of a threat than a promise. Standing squared off like this indicates the dog is ready to move forward and the barking is attention getting and warning intent. But the dog is mostly looking for more space from the other. Typically a dog displaying this kind of behavior does not feel retreat is an option and is asking for the other individual to “go away.”
Know what a stressed or happy dog looks like and how to describe one. Developing our consistent use of an objective language to describe what a dog is doing enables us to observe the dog’s behavior without infusing it with human goals and emotions that might not apply and color our responses “mean,” “nasty,” “guilty,” etc. To help shelter professional assess behavior, the ASPCA’s SAFER assessment tools included being versed in a visual glossary for what terms like “whale eye,” “open mouth” look like and in what contexts. (It is important to note that breed differences have an impact here, “ears back” on a cocker spaniel look quite different than “ears back” on a pit bull but both dogs will move the base of the ear back. Good practice in paying attention.)
While describing what stress can look like is helpful, seeing it is even more helpful in learning to recognize it. Videos are an invaluable tool in demonstrating stress signals and canine body language. Elemental Media’s “In the Company of Dogs” , Maddie’s Institute “Canine Body Language” and AnimalBehaviorist.Us “Stress Signals in Dogs” are good ones to begin with. Interactive web sites designed specifically for children that incorporate teaching canine body language with games, videos and photos such as doggonesafe.com are excellent for parents and children. The more comfortable we are with understanding what our dogs are saying the more likely we can respond to it.
And dogs do bite. Dogs bite for any number of reasons fear, pain, protectiveness, lack of control over an aversive situation, lack of socialization, lack of or inappropriate training or handling and of desperation when the warning signals they are giving are not being acknowledged. While there may be times when biting happens without warning such as when a dog bites out of protection when surprised by an unexpected hug or kiss on the face or where a dog has a history where warning signals are continually ignored. To lessen a dog’s resorting to biting we need to read all aspects of a dog’s body language and include the environment. We also need to know the environment includes our presence and actions in it.
Dog bite prevention is most effective if we pay attention to the dogs we are interacting with. Look first: Dogs that display fear, who are growling or barking should not be approached or stared at directly as they are asking for more distance, listening to this request takes the pressure off the dog, not listening will most likely result in biting. Dogs that are eating, chewing on toys, sleeping and caring for puppies should not be approached as biting can happen in these scenarios. Tethered dogs are more likely to bite when approached. And dogs that are behind a fence or in a car may bite to protect territory.
Proper adult supervision around children and dogs cannot be stressed enough. Children need to learn how to treat dogs humanely and adults who know how to do that need to be doing the teaching. Knowing our children is also significant, a 2012 study found that less shy children were more likely to take greater risks around a dog they did not know, even with a handler present. While most bite prevention material is aimed at children the message remains just as relevant for adults.
What is the appropriate human response to an aggressive dog? Remember, the first rule with all stressed or scared dogs is to stop what we are doing that is stressing them. A good strategy with any stressed dog including an aggressive dog is the “stop, drop and roll” technique. Stop all movement, this decreases any perceived threatening behavior. Drop our eyes, eye contact can also be perceived as threatening. Roll our bodies to the side, turning sideways to the dog as opposed to facing a dog frontally is perceived as less aggressive for dogs and many other animals. Back away slowly once the dog quiets. Never run. Any number of variations exist on this method with all approaching the same goal from wrapping arms around the body (stops movement), reciting nursery rhymes (lessens fearful behavior from humans) and dropping to the ground turtle fashion to protect the face and mid section in the case of an actual physical attack.
When can we approach dogs? There is so much wisdom in the old saying: “let them come to you.” Friendly dogs that approach us in a relaxed manner- wiggly and soft body tension, open, “smiling” mouth, ears and muzzle relaxed, tail neutral or wagging are looking for interaction. The best response is putting ourselves sideways to the dog so we are not towering over them or lowering our face into theirs. Petting on the chest or behind the neck is best. Never kiss or hug dogs. Not your dog? Always, always ask first if you may pet someone else’s dog. Follow by asking how the dog likes to be petted and remember your body position in relation to the dog. With smaller dogs it is best to lower ourselves sideways to the dog and then interact.
At all times and with all dogs, be kind and remember dogs have dog behavior and not people behavior. A dog that is pulling on a leash is pulling to get somewhere fast and not because they are trying to be in charge of anyone. Teaching our dogs what we want them to do with positive reinforcement lets our dogs know how we would like them to act. Never, ever hit or be rough with a dog for any reason. They do not understand why they are being hurt no matter how much appeasement behavior they display. Physically punishing our dogs creates fearful dogs, increases stress and can lead to greater aggression.
References
-Chlopčíková, M. & Mojžíšová, A. (2010). Risk factors in the mutual relationship between children and dogs. Journal of Nursing, Social Studies and Public Health, 1(1), 102–109
-Davis, A. L., Schwebel, D. C., Morrongiello, B. A., Stewart, J., & Bell, M. (2012). Dog Bite Risk: An Assessment of Child Temperament and Child-Dog Interactions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 9(12), 3002–3013.
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