1. The Kid and I What is your dog telling you? From: Small K-9 School Luiza Small (519) 395-4335 Dog Obedience Trainer/Behaviorist/Owner The Kid and I/ Be-A-Tree Licensed Presenter Dogxercise K-9 Drill Team Do your Research Consulting Testing and Selection of Dogs/Breeders Homemade treats and dog/cat food Kids Helping K-9s Club Board and Train

2. INTRO Feelings: Do dogs have feeling? No, they do not have feelings like jealousy, guilt or spite. However they do have a complete range of emotions- same way a toddler does- loss, joy, obsession, happiness, they forgive but not forget. A dog that starts a fight with the dog an owner is petting is just reacting to threat in its environment. It is not jealous but trying to protect its valuable resource- the owner.

3.  With every part of their body.  By looking carefully at the dogs’ body and surroundings, you can tell a lot on how the dog is feeling.  Most people think that a wagging tail means that a dog is Happy.  As you read through this information you will start to better understand what it is your dog is trying to tell you and how. It is very important to see the dog as a whole, not to isolate individual signals. It is the overall posture and the context in which the dog displays the signals that you must consider when making a decision about a dog’s state of mind at any given time, eg. Tight leash, toy, food, puppies, anything of value to the dog. How do dogs show their feelings/emotions?

4.  Pouncing  Barking-excitingly  Tail wagging at mid range –tail wagging at a high position means- happy dominance which can lead to a dog fight or a bite. How does a dog show that it is happy?

5. Food/treats, Game/toy Greeting of a family member or an animal friend Car rides/walks Visiting places where good things happened. When does a dog show that it is happy?

6.  Threat of losing a toy/bone/ or any other valued (important) possession  Being yanked/pulled on the leash  Strange dogs/people/animals  Strange/scary objects/noises  Being hugged/kissed, scolded/threatened  Going to a place they do not like-vet/kennel/groomer  Babies/young children  Being chained/tied up/kenneled When would a dog be unhappy, worried or stressed?

7. What are some body parts dogs use to communicate with?

8. Happy/Friendly

9. Mouth, open slightly, no teeth showing and happy panting. Relaxed, happy body position, lying with one paw tucked under. Enthusiastic tail wag or thumping on floor. Play bow (front end down, rear end up, tail wagging/strait up with a wag- in this case tail up is OK).

10. One paw raised - very cute - but the dog is not happy Half moon eye - dog just wants to be left alone. Watch for this one when kids are mauling the dog or giving the dog hugs and kisses. Anxiety/Worried The dog is uncomfortable with the current situation…

11.  Yawning when not tired  Licking its face without the presence of food  Turning head away (Half Moons)  Sudden scratching /biting at itself/sniffing the ground or other object  Whole body shake when not wet  Barking and walking backwards/hiding behind person or object  Dog rolls over on back –submissive-”please don't hurt me” or “see I am no threat”!  Tail between legs and wagging  Tail low and only the end is wagging (Fear)  Ears sideways  Ears back and frantic panting or mouth closed  Dog goes into another room away from you and pees or poops  Dog gets up and leaves an uncomfortable situation Any out-of-context behavior like…

12. All dogs should have a safe place, such as a crate or mat that they can go to when they want to be left alone. All family members and guests should be taught not to bother the dog when it’s in his safe place.

13. Arousal/Alert  Dog is interested in something, or trying to decide on what to do next.

14. Ears forwardMouth closed Eyes intense Body rolled forward/tense Tail high (may or may not be wagging), or slow deliberate tail wag

15. Turning The head away This is an act of submission! ● The dog is clearly trying to avoid eye contact!

16. The dog is acting in a bullying way. Grow or a snarl is a “WARNING” sign-respect it. Never punish a dog for growling-you might not get the warning sign next time!!! A dog will guard its own possessions or sleeping area, owner is also considered a possession, against family members or guests - this is very dangerous. Snap and miss (the miss was intentional) also a “WARNING” sign, the dog may/will not miss the second time. Aggressive barking and does not respond to a quiet command. Lunging on or off leash, with barking/growling Aggression

18. Bite (other than playful puppy nipping by a puppy) Dog raising its tail when you or child approaches it is a “WARNING” sign –keep in mind breeds with naturally raised or curled tails - e.g. pug, husky, etc. Dog peeing intentionally on you or on your possessions is a sign of dominance. Do not confuse this with a submissive behaviour or house training problem. Clear message!!!

19. Hip Thrusts (Humping) or Standing Over or On Top! Dominance This is a sign of dominance. Female dogs will do this as well to show dominance over other dogs.

20. Bite is about to happen

21. If the dog... Freezes - becomes suddenly stiff Stands with front legs splayed, head low, looking at you Curls lip to show teeth Stop !!! all interaction with the dog, look away, no eye contact and no talking -the dog may take this as a “CHALLENGE”, and attack. Give dog the opportunity to leave.

22. Dogs pant for many different reasons. So it is very important to know why the dog is panting.  Excitement – like you throwing a ball, giving a special teat or going for a walk.  Anxiety (worried) - frantic breaths means the dog is feeling a lot of stress. Panting eliminates some stress and anticipation of what is about to happen. Panting

23. Watch out for dogs that are not panting but should be. A dog that is NOT panting but should be, is not releasing its stress, there for it is more dangerous. ANXIETY Excitement Relaxed Eg. Lots of running, exercise, hot day

24. Ears are too fluffy or too long. If you cannot tell what the dog is doing with its ears, look for other “ CLUES ” to help you. Like happy panting, relaxed posture, etc … Do not assume the dog is friendly if it can ’ t express its feeling with its ears.

25. This usually accompanied by a play bow means a fun game will take place. High tail and wagging

26. If the tail is up higher than the dog’s back this may mean the dog is happy but is showing its dominance-“Warning Sign” not necessarily a “Happy to see you sign”. Be safe by keeping away.

27. This is a strong “WARNING” sign to “BACK OFF”. Freeze and stare

28. Do not “STARE BACK”!!! In a dogs world this means a challenge- a challenge that you may lose. Look at the ground and become a log/tree.

29. Dog yawning has nothing to do with them being tired. It is one of the diffusing strategies dogs use to avoid a stressful situation or show submission (surrender). If a dog’s tongue hangs out more than usual it means the dog is anxious about something. Eg. When two dogs meet and one is acting in a dominant (bossy) way, the other will try to diffuse the situation by looking away and yawning. Yawn

30. Licking Chops Anxiety/Worried Two reasons … 1) The dog wants what you have … hamburger, hot dog, etc … 2) Anxiety-worried about something. This often happens when a dog is wearing a new harness. OR When kids are hugging and kissing a dog that does not like that. This should be a clear sign to BACK OFF!!!

31. This is a feeling of conflict. A dog does this when it wants to do something and is not allowed to or wants to have something and cannot have it. Happens a lot, in obedience classes Yawn/Licking Chops

33. This should be a good indication to stay away from the dog. If the dog is friendly but worried to see you the best thing to do is to ignore the dog. No talking, no trying to touch the dog, no looking at it. The dog will come to you when it is ready. Ears Sideways Worried

35. Ears Pulled Back Fear. Most bites (90%) happen not from aggression but from fear. So this is a good indication to walk away.

36. Wagging There are three ways we know the dog is happy when wagging its tail, 1) Going around like a propeller 2) Full body wag 3) Gentle tail wag-no higher than its back A frantic speed wag may mean two things 1) Happy excitement 2) Nervous excitement It is always a good idea to look for more “ CLUES ”.

37. Fear/Submission Fearful dogs usually arch their back and tuck their tail to appear smaller- which is to show they are no threat. Tail between the legs

38. Dominant - authority like mom or dad. When dog meet each other with high tails a fight is more likely to happen. Sometimes a tail sign can be misunderstood when a dog carries its tail high naturally. High Tail

39. Picture from www.doggonesafe.comwww.doggonesafe.com A dog that puts its tail up to a child when playing or otherwise, should never be left alone with a child!!!

40. It is not fair for a dog to put up with a child ’ s abuse. You do not know when the dog will reach its breaking point and snap. Now that you know, you will see this again and again …

41. Eyes/Half Moons One thing you should know about eyes … This happens when the dog tries to avoid eye contact but tries to keep the threat in view. This happens a lot when a child is mauling the dog and the dog is not enjoying it. Most parents think it is cute … it is not!!! Anxiety/worried.

42. Soft Look Means happy/calm dog

43. Hard Look I don’t know you! I am not comfortable ! My guy !!! A “ WARNING ” sign.

44. Look away and stare at the ground. Be very, very still...till the dog goes away. Be a Log/Tree. One more thing you should know about dog ’ s eyes- they cannot focus on objects closer than 30-50 cm in front of their faces. So never try to scare the dog by jumping in front of it. The dog might bite by accident. This is more of a reaction bite not aggression bite. Dogs also have greater field of view due to the position of their eyes, but less in binocular vision.

45. Lifted Paw Fear/anxiety/submission. Leave the dog alone!

46. Toes Pointing Up Relaxed

47. Toes Pointing Down Ready to react

48. Head Low Submission/Fear Low head and paw lift Stop whatever you are doing and let the dog come to you.

49. Turning the head away Submission. The dog is trying to avoid eye contact.

50. Head Low And Wrinkles Around The Eyes The dog thinks you are a threat. Picture from www.doggonesafe.comwww.doggonesafe.com A “ WARNING ” sign

51. Droopy Head Dog is unhappy!!!

52. But mostly this will happen when the dog is angry or it thinks you are a threat. A “WARNING” sign. Fur Fluffy fur- Goose bumps cold.

53. Scruff is raised up Aggression A “ WARNING ” sign

54. Overall Posture  Rolling on to its back- Submission  Play Bow-happy invitation to play

55. …the difference between Dominance and Aggression Dominance- is an authority figure. Aggression -is a bully. However dominance can and will lead to aggression if not looked after. Aggression comes from frustration and dominance Frustration due to lack of Exercise and Dominance due to lack of Leadership Do you Know…

56. Ask permission from the owner/handler and ask the dog to sit. Look over the dog – does it seem friendly? Let the dog smell you Don’t touch the dog Don’t make the situation more stressful by talking to the dog Don’t look the dog in the eyes it might take you as a threat/challenge Pet on the side of the neck or chest and talk quietly. DO NOT PET “on the top of the head!!!” DO NOT yell or scream and do not wave your hands around This may scare the dog. Always REMEMBER, when approaching someone else's dog you…

57. Behaviour that is offered to defuse (relax a stressful) a situation Yawning Licking Scratching Biting itself Whole body shake Sniffing Sneezing Stretching Displacement Behaviour

58. Displacement behaviours very often consists of self-grooming behaviours. If a dog is not able to do these self-grooming behaviours, it may lead to self-mutilation.

59. Tight leash Threat to the food, bone, toy, owner, resting place, puppies Babies, young children Physical force, threat Threatening dogs/animals Scary noises Teasing, arguing, yelling Sounds, smells, sights with previous bad experience Being chained, tied or some form of restriction Stress triggers:

60. Yawn Tongue flicks Half moon eyes Hard stare Biting at it self Licking it self Sudden scratching Sniffing the ground Turning head away Whole body shake/Head shake Freeze and stare Body roll back Signs of stress:

61. Panting Paw tucked Rolled over on one hip when lying Soft eyes Ears relaxed Signs of calm/happy dog:

62. Loose leash Positive reinforcement from the owner Safe zone like a mat or crate Animal/human friend Calm household Chew toys and bones Sound, smell, sights of a previous good experience Calm/happy triggers:

63. MOODS CAN CHANGE IN A SPLIT SECOND, SO BE A GOOD AND CAREFUL DETECTIVE!!!

64. 3 Things To Teach Your Kids! Dogs don ’ t like hugs and kisses! Freeze and be a log/tree when a strange/aggressive dog approaches! Never tease, hit or pretend to do so to a dog

65. 3 Things Parents Can Do! Train your kids and dogs to co-exist! Supervise young children around dogs! Teach your child about dogs body language!

66. 3 Thing Any Dog Owner Must Do! Fix your dog Expose your dog to children and other surroundings! Teach other children how to properly approach your dog!

67. Do ’ s and Do not ’ s

68. Do’s 1) Sit nicely beside your dog and pet gently on the neck and chest. 2) Play safe games. 3) Respect you dog’s possessions and resting/eating place. 4) Be calm around dogs 5) Act with kindness

69. Do not’s Play ‘chase me’ games. Do not hug/kiss a dog. Do not play tug of war. Do not bother a dog that is eating, sleeping, in pain. Do not tease/hit/yell at the dog. Do not jump too close/scare the dog. Do not put your face next to a dog’s mouth. Do not take anything out of the dog’s mouth.

70. Games to avoid with your dog!!!

71. Catch me if you can The dog will soon realize that it can out run you, and may think that you are playing when you really want the dog to come.

72. Play fighting/ wrestling This will encourage the dog to jump, mount, chase and even bite.

73. Tug of war If your dog is not around young children, it may be OK! But you should have rules…

74. *888 *If the teeth touch your skin the game is off *Have only one toy for that game and keep putting it away when not in use *Use commands like “off” or “give” frequently when playing *Always initiate the game

75. How to act around a dog mini quiz!

76. Never pet a strange dog without asking the _______.

77. Owner

78. If a strange dog approaches you stand still like a _____.

79. Tree

80. If you find yourself on the ground, lie face down like a ______ and cover your _____.

81. Log & Neck

82. Never stare the dog in the _______.

83. Eyes

84. Never try to _______ an aggressive dog or turn your_____ to it.

85. Outrun & Back

86. Do not _____ and____ a dog.

87. Kiss & Hug

88. Never play ____ __ _____ games with your dog.

89. Tug of War

90. Never put your ____close to a dogs mouth.

91. Face

92. Do not play_____ me if you can games.

93. Catch

94. If the dog is barking/growling, slowly walk away ______or______.

95. Backwards & Sideways

96. Would You Pet Me? Count