Title: Dog Interactive Behavior: How to recognize dangerous dog behavior
Author: Sylvia Dickens
Dog Interactive Behavior: How to recognize dangerous dog behavior
Understanding dog interactive behavior can protect you and
your children, and it can protect your dog. Knowing what
constitutes dog interactive behavior will help you to react
safely.
Remember that dogs interact with each other through their
behavior, not through language, as we know it. Each
movement and pose a dog strikes sends a message to other
dogs. These messages can be a warning, they can show
playfulness and they can demonstrate friendliness or
curiosity.
Many people don't know how to read dog interactive behavior
and often do the wrong thing. It's important for people to
understand and teach their children how to respond when in
a dangerous situation.
As a child, I always found that freezing was a good way to
avert being bitten by a strange dog in the neighborhood. My
experience was that freezing confused the dog so that he
backed away.
To my surprise, I now discover that this was the worst
thing I could have done.
By freezing, I was using dog interactive behavior without
realizing it. This sent the message that I was on high
alert and ready to defend myself. You see, when a dog
freezes and closes its mouth, he's saying that his next
move might be to lunge at you.
Staring into the eyes goes hand in hand with freezing. This
dog interactive behavior generally means the dog is
uncomfortable about the situation (i.e.: the presence of
another dog or human) and if someone makes a wrong move,
the dog might attack.
This is especially true if you and the dog stare into each
other's eyes, your bodies become stiff and rigid and your
mouths are closed. Dogs take this defensive stance when
they feel their territory is being invaded or they need to
defend themselves. It's their way of sending a warning.
Remember that dogs don't know the difference between human
behavior and dog interactive behavior. Dogs read all
behavior and actions based on the dog behavior they know
and understand.
Quickly calm the situation to ensure your safety
Once you recognize this threatening dog interactive
behavior, you can free yourself from the situation by
staying relaxed and moving your shoulders and hips a
little. Don't look the dog in the eyes. Turn your body away
from the dog slightly, rather than straight on.
This body language tells the dog that you are not a threat.
When two dogs approach each other, they do so from the side
if they are showing friendliness or curiosity. If they
approach head on, the other dog becomes defensive and
prepares to attack.
Distraction is an excellent and effective tool you can use
in such situations. If you see two dogs, or a child and dog
in this tense situation, make a noise, call the child or
your dog over to you.
Next time you see a dog (or dogs) in the freeze position
with its body still and no movement for more than a few
seconds, be alert. Clap your hands, make a loud noise,
throw a ball, or do something else to break the tension.
Teach your children these techniques so they don't try to
break up two dogs on the verge of an attack, or make the
wrong move themselves, such as running away. Never reach in
to separate two dogs as you can get bitten.
Many dogs have been put down for mistakes made by adults
and children because they just didn't understand dog
interactive behavior. Many children have suffered
needlessly from dog attacks.
The best protection for you, your children and your dog is
to know how to recognize this threatening dog interactive
behavior and to react safely.
About the Author:
Want more dog tips? Get your free copy of Sylvia's latest
booklet, "Unveiling the Myths & Mysteries of Owning a
Puppy" at http://ebook-
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