Us & Them II

Now for the domesticated animals. The most common fear that I see in adults and children alike is the fear of dogs. Yet dogs are all around us- you can hardly walk down a city street, go to the park, or visit a friend's house without coming into contact with them. Not everyone is a dog-lover, but knowing how to properly interact with dogs can make life a lot easier, particularly if you ever plan on being outdoors.

Here are some great tips that I've borrowed from Wikihow:

1. If the dog seems receptive to petting (not growling, jumping and no tail between the legs), then hold your hand in front of the dog's nose with the back part of your hand exposed to the dog, loosely curled almost to a fist (this will keep your fingers from being bitten).
2. Let the dog sniff your hand. If the dog looks up at you (away from your hand) you should be safe to open your hand with the palm toward the dog and fingers extended.
3. If the dog still shows no sign of aggression, slowly stroke the dog's neck just under the jaw.
4. If you have been successful to this point, you may move your hand across the back.
5. Be aware that some dogs are "head-shy" and do not like being petted on top of the head. Also some dogs dislike having their hind-ends petted. Any growl, tail down or sudden moves should signal that you need to STOP what you are doing immediately and stand still. No sudden moves of your own.

I would add to these that before approaching any dog, ask permission first. Never pet a working dog (i.e. Seeing Eye, or other guide dog). These dogs will be clearly distinguishable by their harnesses, and it is not appropriate to pet them. They have a job to do, and their owner is relying on them not to be distracted. With all other dogs, the owner can tell you not only if it is OK to pet their dog, but how their dog is likely to react.

For example, I own a dog that is head-shy. She likes to meet new people and be petted, but if a stranger approaches her and tries to directly pet her on top of the head, she will dodge away. Her "dodging" is a safe way for her to avoid what she perceives as a threat, but not all dogs will simply dodge. Some may bite out of fear if a person ignores their attempts to avoid this kind of contact. I can always tell a child or adult that is educated on canine body language because they approach following the steps above, and my dog is relaxed and confident.

Canine body language is universal, and generally quite straightforward. That being said, many people think that they are more familiar with it than they really are. For example, most people know that tail wagging is generally friendly and that they should avoid dogs that are growling at them with their hackles up. However, the vast majority of dog bites happen when a dog has given signs to a human that they are uncomfortable, and the human has ignored them, such as in the scenario above.

Fear is a powerful motivator, and if you ignore the fact that you have threatened a dog, you are likely to get bitten, so it is important to pay attention. Very slight tail wagging is a sign that a dog is unsure of its situation. If a dog is licking its chops when there is no food around, putting its ears back, or showing the whites of its eyes and looking sideways, be sure to give it space. All of these behaviors are signs that the dog is uneasy. At this point there is no need for panic- the dog isn't necessarily about to attack, but it does mean that you need to back off and give it some space.

Two good resources on canine body language, complete with helpful photographs, are at familypaws and Wikipedia.

It is extremely important to teach children about dog safety. Showing them pictures and explaining how they should react to these situations is a good way to help prepare them to these interactions. If you decide to take this approach, be sure to do it in a positive manner. Be encouraging, and help motivate kids with sympathy rather than fear: "See what the doggy is doing? He is scared, so we need to leave him alone. We don't want to scare him." vs "Look at this doggy. Don't touch him, or he will bite you." Children need to be informed, but terrifying them won't help!

Some basic rules for kids & adults could be:

1. Don't ever touch a dog that is eating, walk between the dog and its food, or try to take food away.
2. Don't approach or try to touch dogs that are sick or injured.
3. Don't hug dogs- it makes them feel trapped. Hugs mean completely different things to us & them.
4. Don't run, make loud noises, or move quickly around dogs. They can be frightened easily, and their response to fast movements can be fearful or aggressive.

This one for adults:

5. DO NOT leave children unattended with dogs. Kids are unpredictable, and they are often oblivious to the signals that dogs are sending them. Educate children about how to interact with dogs, but don't leave them on their own. The sweetest dog in the world will still bite out of fear or pain, and this is a completely avoidable tragedy.

If you have read the facts and looked at pictures and still are concerned, or feel that you need more help, try contacting a local dog trainer or the humane society. Some trainers and organizations will offer courses on safe dog interactions. They can provide more information and a trustworthy environment to practice your newfound skills.

Dogs are wonderful animals that desire and enjoy human interaction. Owners should take all possible precautions to teach their dogs how to safely interact with humans and to be tolerant of human actions, but it is ultimately up to each of us to ensure our own safety, and that of our children. In this case, education is the best way to ensure that human/canine interactions will be safe and enjoyable.