Restraints and Handling Objectives: Recognize the body language of dogs that are anxious, aggressive, relaxed and aroused. Explain and recognize dominance and submission. Demonstrate appropriate body language around dogs.

Stats According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 4.7 million people fall victim to dog bites and/or attacks. In the majority of such cases, it's the family dog that is doing the biting - but not always.

How can you protect yourself? Learn to read body language and “think like the animal” Never let your guard down Use proper restraint techniques Be careful of your body position Take your time Be firm and in control

Sessions with Cesar: Identifying bad dog behavior pClkhttp:// pClk

We use Body Language

Dog Body Language Eyes Ears Posture Body Tail Look at more than one part! Tail wagging?

Use these 4 dogs to take some notes on body language

Relaxed Face muscle relaxed panting, relaxed, happy expression body position relaxed Head tilt lying with one paw tucked under enthusiastic tail wag tail thumping on floor play bow (front end down; rear end up; tail wagging)

Aroused What do you notice about this dogs body language? Does he know what he going to do next?

Aroused Intense concentration More closed mouth Tense muscles…ready for action ears forward body rolled forward tail high (may or may not be wagging) slow deliberate tail wag

Anxious Half moon eyes Doing something out of context Muscle tension…”grin” Makes themselves smaller Tail tucked, low wagging Avoidance, retreating Submissive signs

Anxiety: Dogs do things out of context yawning when not tired licking chops without the presence of food sudden scratching when not itchy sudden biting at paws or other body part sudden sniffing the ground or other object wet dog shake when not wet or dirty

Aggression Muscle tension, mouth opens vertically Growl, snarl, aggressive barking guarding (dog's own possessions or resting area) snap and miss (the miss was intentional and the dog may not miss the next time) lunging on or off the leash, with barking or growling bite (other than playful puppy nipping by a puppy) dog raises tail when you or child approach (depends on breed) Dog urinates or on your possessions in your presence or in the presence of children or guests

Imminent Bite: Move away slowly dog freezes - becomes suddenly stiff dog stands with front legs splayed, head low, looking at you dog curls lip to show teeth

These dogs are new patients… should you trust them?

The Pack Dogs have a well-developed social system. This system establishes orderly relations among the members. There are two separate dominance orders within each pack: a male order and a female order. The highest ranking member of each order occupies the "alpha" position. "Alpha" is followed by the "beta" individual and so forth until the last position which is called "omega" (as in the Greek alphabet). Very few individuals are considered "equal". Leadership within the pack is a matter of supreme importance. The leader of the pack initiates the play pattern, which direction the pack will travel, when to rest and when it is time to hunt.

Dominance vs Submission

Submission Submission can appear as: –Friendliness The dominant animal often responds to these displays with tolerance, friendliness and superiority... but not always. –Displays of inferiority: “Licking Up”, Lowering head/ body, averting gaze, urinating, rolling over, spreading legs…showing belly. The response of the dominant animal is usually a show of self-assertion and less tolerance.

Dominance Appearing bigger…being on top Eye Contact Controlling Anything Eating first, controlling the food Controlling other dogs movement and behavior

Is your dog dominating you? Pushing a toy into you or pawing in order to get you to play with them Nudging you to be petted Sitting in high places, looking down on everything Guarding a human from others approaching. People like to call it “protecting” but it's actually “claiming”—dog owns you. Jumping or putting their paws on humans Persistence about being on a particular piece of furniture when asked to stay off (dog owns it) Persistence about going in and out of doorways before humans Persistence about walking in front of humans while on a lead Not listening to known commands Dislikes people touching their food Standing proud on a human lap Persistence about being on top Persistence about where they sleep, i.e. on your pillow Annoyance if disturbed while sleeping Likes to sleep on top of their humans Licking (giving kisses) in a determined and focused manner

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How you should act: Confident Assertive…careful with this Slow and steady Firm Calming How can you demonstrate each of the above? Ex How do you act confident?

Review Signs of Anxiety? Signs of Aggression? Signs of Happiness? Where do you look for the above “signs”? Which body language type should you be most cautious around? How can you defend yourself?

Quiz

Dog Training & Care : How to Break Up a Dogfight pE

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