Occasionally you may be asked to care for a client who has a pet dog, and while most people may relish the thought of taking Fido for a walk, not every pet may be friendly towards a stranger.
Many people are hospitalized each year due to dog bites, so it is useful to know what the signs are in dogs who are about to bite or attack.
Unfortunately, dogs can swing very quickly from seemingly calm to aggressive, so it is a good idea to learn some handling techniques in case you need them.
It’s all about body language
There are some body signs which mean that the dog is not about to attack you, rather he is using typical appeasement gestures to calm a situation.
Yawning, averting the gaze, turning the body away and lifting one paw are thought to be signs that the dog although the dog may feel threatened, he wishes interaction to slow down.
Tail wagging
While we normally think that a happy dog will wag its tail, this can also be a sign that the dog wants to be friends but is not confident enough to initiate contact. Be aware that a manic tail wagging can also be a sign that the pooch is presented with a scary situation.
Conflict signals
You may see these signs in a dog who is generally friendly buy feels that the situation is worrying.
Look out for a dog who moves forward and then retreats, shakes after interaction, shows the whites of the eyes and lying down with a hind leg up.
Signs the dog may attack
- High chin with throat exposed
- Spine straight
- Hard stare
- Freeze
- Growls
How to reduce aggression
- Talk to the dog in a calm, low-pitched voice
- Never approach the dog, let it take its time and come to you
- Avoid eye contact as this may feel threatening
- Move slowly but confidently
- Avoid cornering the dog
- Offer food in a bowl at first, not from your hand
Final thoughts
Remember that the dog, no matter how small, may have been with your client for many years and to the dog, it may feel as if you are trying to take their property away from them. Little wonder they want to protect things.
Also remember that many small, older dogs tend to be snappy and irritable due to age and possibly illness. Best to give them a wide berth unless they make the first move towards friendship.
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