By Executive Director Kerri Burns
Most of us have heard about reading a dog’s body language: ears flat back means they are fearful, ears up means they are alert, tail low and wagging can be a good thing, growling can be fear or aggression, and when a dog’s body becomes very stiff and tall, this is usually an indicator of aggression. What about how we, humans, respond to dogs and what our body language means to them?
Have you ever noticed that if two dogs stare at each other for more than a few seconds, usually a fight is about to ensue? Have you ever stared at your dog? Ok, so your family pet is accustomed to you (and your strange ways) but if you did that to a dog that did not know you, it might not go very well.
Dogs like to be able to read humans through our body language. In situations where that becomes difficult, like when someone is staring or wearing sunglasses. That is not a positive sign to them. Sometimes even ball caps can shade our eyes so dogs can’t read us.
What about smiling? Most dogs when they are fearful or aggressive will show their teeth. How do you think they interpret that one?
Why do dogs tend to like women more than men? When dogs are not comfortable they will growl. A man’s voice has a tone that is closer to a growl sound than a woman’s voice. Have you ever noticed that when dogs greet each other they usually do it from a side approach? Yet in human culture we greet others straight on whether it be a hand shake or a hug, this can be very frightening to a dog.
Here are some small things we can do when encountering dogs that are not part of your family:
- If the dog is with its owner ask if you may approach (Kids should learn to ask if they can pet a dog)
- Approach slowly
- Do not stare directly at the dog and turn your body slightly to an angle.
- If you are wearing sunglasses or a hat take them off before approaching the dog.
- Raise you voice a bit to a higher level
Watch your dog and other people’s dogs and just observe how they truly communicate.
