Being able to read a dog’s body language may literally be the difference between life and death. Imagine (and I have seen it first hand), your dog tries to tell you with his body language he is uncomfortable. Your child doesn’t know body language. The dog gets to the point where he has had enough and your child is not heeding his warnings. Your dog bites your child. You take the dog to the shelter. He has a bite history now and is now deemed unadoptable. If your child knew what to look for, the entire situation could have been prevented.
What to Know About Bite Prevention
77% of dog bites come from dogs that are known to us. And this makes sense. When you are encountering a new/unknown dog, you ask permission to pet the dog. You go slowly. You look to see if he is enjoying meeting you or really would rather you walk away. With a dog you know, you rush into his space. You don’t think about asking if he wants a pet nor do you look to see if he is enjoying the experience. And that is why the majority of bites come from dogs we know. There is a website devoted to reducing that 77% and gives great tips for the whole family in how to be around your pup as well as others known to you (stopthe77.com).
Dogs and Body Language
We often fail to see dogs as individuals. You don’t like every human you have met, correct? There is no reason to expect your dog will either (this applies to people as well as other dogs). Do you like people in your space? Why would we expect a dog? Do you always want to be hugged and kissed? Why would we expect a dog to want to? We can express how we feel. Body language is how dogs express how they feel. And often, we fail to listen.
But how do you hear them? Luckily for us and them, there are multiple sites devoted to dog body language. As we become more aware that their behaviors mean something then we learn to help them learn to live in our world instead of just expecting complete acceptance of our lives and ways. More and more groups are helping us hear them. Please check out this website: http://www.ispeakdog.org/body-language-gallery.html and review the attached images. Share them with your family and friends. As your dog’s guardian, it is your responsibility to keep him safe and this includes protecting him when he is telling you he is anxious or stressed.
Learn More About Interpreting Dog’s Body Language
If you would like assistance in learning more about your dog’s body language or are getting a new dog and want to teach your children appropriate ways to interact with your new family member, give Furry Fundamentals a call!