Recognizing Canine Body Language is Key to Safety
By Dr. Katie Volat
Children and dogs are kindred spirits. An inquisitive mind, uninhibited nature and an innocent spirit guide them both. Although they share many common traits, children and dogs are very different beings that speak very different languages. This can unfortunately lead to children getting snapped at or bitten by dogs. More often than not, the dog is blamed for the skirmish. If we were able to ask a dog why he bit a child, he would tell us that he tried to give plenty of indicators that he wanted to be left alone. He might also try to explain that he bit only as the last resort when he lost his temper. He was so frustrated that the child kept pestering him and was not paying any attention to his warning signs before his temper flared.
The key to avoiding a dog bite is recognizing when a dog is getting uncomfortable and avoiding further antagonism. Dogs often give us multiple cues of unease prior to biting … the problem lies in our missing these subtle cues. Dogs may not give an obvious cue such as a bark or growl prior to biting, but they will give clear visual cues. Parents can and should learn these cues to teach children how to recognize them on their own. Once a child can recognize that a dog wants to be left alone, they will know when it’s time to give the dog a break. A dog may need just a little time alone before he’s back in play mode.
What does an anxious, fearful, irritated dog look like? Fearful dogs will have raised hackles and a stiffened, rigid body while moving very slowly. Irritated dogs will pace or dart back and forth while constantly readjusting their position from sitting to lying down. More subtle signs to watch for are panting when not tired, licking lips when not thirsty, or yawning when not sleepy. Rapid eye movement with flattened ears are a dog’s way of saying “I’m getting scared, leave me alone.” If a normally happy dog is suddenly cowering, refusing treats, or hiding—leave them alone to have some quiet time or allow them to go to a safe zone.
All dogs need a special spot in the home where they can sleep or rest without interference, a safe zone. Teach your child to respect this zone by not following the dog or trying to play with the dog when he is in this spot. Make sure your child understands that the dog needs space and should be given time alone for sleep or rest.
What can be done to turn a fearful dog into your child’s best friend? Treats, treats, and more treats are the way to a dog’s heart! Children should take an active role in obedience training using treats as positive reinforcement. Teaching tricks, agility training, and basic obedience are simple ways for a child to play with their dog while developing a positive bond. If a dog connects a child with receiving treats, their threshold for tolerating unwanted behaviors will be much higher. This will allow for an occasional misstep such as a rough pet or an ear yank without a strong negative response. Training also gives a child a direction to interact with their dog instead of undirected play. All the same principles of polite play with other children can and should be applied to play with dogs. Gentle petting without shouting, tail grabbing or ear tugging is always appreciated.
We can’t always supervise our children around our own pets or unfamiliar dogs, but we can give them the tools to keep them safe in most scenarios. By taking the time to teach our children to respect a dog’s boundaries and to recognize canine body language we can instill a lifelong positive connection between kids and dogs.
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Courtesy of the Capitol Veterinary Hospital. Website: capitolaveterinaryhospital.com