An estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the U.S. each year and out
of the 800,000 who seek medical attention for bites; half of these are
children. Many of these bites can be
easily avoided by learning some simple things.
Dog behavior IS NOT the same as humans.
They can interpret many of the actions we view as friendly as being hostile. Remember, when an animal is in a situation
not familiar to them they will often be fearful and quite self-protective. When they feel threatened they will do what
is instinctual and normal for them. Therefore,
whether you are approaching a strange dog to help it, or are meeting your
friend’s new pooch, the following tips and signals can help you correctly
introduce yourself to any dog you do not know.
One of the signals that people often find misleading is a wagging tail. A happy dog usually wags his tail and gets his
whole playful body involved. A dog who
is about to bite usually has his tail pointed high, moving it quickly back and forth and his body is
rigid.
When dogs are afraid, you may see the hair (hackles) on their backs
stand up. For some, it may be just the
hair on the back of the neck between the shoulders. On others, the hair stands up for the entire
length of their backs. If you see
hackles raised, back off.
Body language is a sure give away about a dog,s attitude. A dog that is comfortable usually has a
relaxed body with his ears low and a happy, wagging tail. An aggressive dog is just the opposite. His entire body goes stiff, and his ears and
tail are raised high. If you reach out
to pet a dog, and his entire body immediately freezes rather than trying to get
closer to you, he is definitely not pleased and it is time to move away SLOWLY.
If you notice a dog is licking his lips (when food is not
involved), yawning, or turning his head to avoid meeting your gaze, he is again
talking to you. These signs let you know
that the dog is not comfy with what is going on around them. Keep remembering, a dog who distressed is often
more likely to bite.
Scared dogs do not always bite, but it the likelihood is increased. If you encounter a dog who cowers away from
you, has his tail tucked between his legs and the ears flattened against his
head, back off and let him approach you.
So, how do we approach a new animal without causing trauma to the
animal or injury to ourselves? ALWAYS
ASK IF IT IS OKAY TO TOUCH SOMEONE’S DOG.
If an owner is not present, do not approach, touch, or attempt to move a
dog. Instead, get assistance from those
who have experience handling animals (e.g.
Animal control officers, veterinary professionals, etc.).
When meeting an unknown dog for the first time, allow the dog to come
to you. Crouch down and turn to the side,
avoiding direct eye contact. Let him
sniff your hand before you begin to pet him.
After the dog has thoroughly sniffed your hand, pet his chest,
first. Our first instinct is to pet the
dog on the top of his head and shoulders.
Putting yourself over his head and shoulders, in dog language, states
that you are trying to establish dominance.
Therefore, first pet the dog's chest, before moving up to shoulders and
sides. As you are petting, speak softly
and soothingly to the dog and if you know his name, use it. DO NOT ever put your face close to an unknown
dog.
If you are carrying anything in your hands, slowly set it down on the
ground an arm’s length away from you and to the side, and allow the dog to
sniff it. This will help reassure him it
is not something that you might use to hurt him.
Never approach a dog that is eating, sleeping, or caring for puppies. Dog in these situations can become startled
easily and are likely to be extremely protective of their food and youngsters. In addition, NEVER leave young children or
babies alone with a dog for any reason.
They like to give "hugs and kisses” which often makes dogs quite
uncomfortable.
Remember, the observance of a few simple actions and signs can make a large
difference in how the initial meet and greet between you and Fido goes.
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