Do you speak dog?
Most dog owners think they know what their dog is thinking, but do you really know what they’re trying to tell you, asks Blue Cross Editor Rachael Millar?
When you consider that 70 per cent of dog bites happen in the home, and 80 per cent of people are bitten by dogs they know, it’s a good idea to get clued up on dog body language.
We often hear that dog attacks came out of nowhere, or that the dog didn’t give any signal they were about to bite – but this could be because not many people recognise the signs dogs give us before they bite.
Our relationship with dogs has been forged over thousands of years. During this time our requirements of them have changed dramatically and their working traits are now secondary to their role as pets.
But dogs still retain a lot of their instincts for hunting, herding and guarding. In some dogs, these instincts will be stronger than in others. Today, as domestic pets, we want dogs to curb these instincts and fit into our way of living.
Dogs bite people for lots of reasons. The majority of bites will happen because dogs have not been appropriately socialised to everyday situations, so they haven’t been able to learn that the things they think are scary are actually totally safe.
Recognising dog body language
Dogs will typically try to avoid biting people, but will do so as a last resort to make something they think is scary stop or go away.
First, they will usually give a wide range of signals or warnings to try and avoid conflict.
If dogs have time they may display subtle behaviours, such as attempting to move away from something or someone, sniffing the floor, yawning, licking their lips or nose, or raising a paw. However, if a dog feels truly threatened and under pressure, they will act defensively and may growl, lunge forward and show their teeth, as a final attempt to communicate.
Time to walk away
If you spot any of these signs, give the dog lots of space. While you might want to say hi, they’re not sure about you and getting closer could make things worse.
Learning to spot any of these signals is essential for anyone wanting to avoid a dog bite – these are the cues that tell you to leave the dog alone and walk away. The more we all recognise and respond to what dogs are telling us, the less likely bites are to happen.
The amount of dog bites that occur could be dramatically decreased if we socialise them properly and help them to better understand the world in which they live.
If you recognise these behaviours in your dog, you can receive help and support by contacting your vet or a suitably qualified dog behaviourist.