Dog body language & handling + Online Module

why is learning about dog behavior relevant to us as a future vet?

• improved experience & outcomes for dogs

• better inteactions with owner/vet/people/other dogs/animals

• reduced unwanted behaviors

• safety

  • prevent dog bites

  • important to teach children about dog communication & how to respond to behaviors

what are the 3 main modes of communication in dogs?

• visual - body language

• sound (bark, howl, whine, whimper)

• smell

(yes touch is also a mode of communcation, but it is not the main one they use)

what should we look at when looking at a dog’s body language?

• posture/stance

• ear & lip position

• tail height & action

• action

• hair 

• approach direction

what is B, C, F, H, I showing?

B = arousal

C = play-soliciting

F = aggression

H = fear

I = submission 

horizontal: increasing fear

vertical: increasing aggression

how do dogs respond to a threat

• freeze

• fight

• flight

• fiddle - displacement behavior 

what are displacement behaviors?

normal behaviors we might typically see but in abnormal context

examples of displacement behaviors in dogs

• licking lips

• moving in slow motion

• panting

• acting sleepy or yawning

identify what the following dogs are saying

what are some warning signs before a behavior escalates to aggression?

• stiffen/alter posture

• focus/stare

• growl

• bark, bare teeth

• snap - warning

• bite

what are 2 types of aggression

• offensive (advancing)

• defensive (retreating)

what are some early signs in a dog’s ladder of aggression

• displacement behaviors

  • e.g. blinking, yawns, licking nose, turning away

offensive vs defensive aggression behaviors

• body weight

• tail up/down

• vision focus

• ear up/down

• piloerection

• teeth

• movement

how should you approach a dog?

• approach slowly (at a relaxed walk)

• stay outside the dog’s buble and preesnt your side to the dog

(T/F) We should use the same method to approach all dogs

False. We should adjust our approach depending on the dog’s begavior and how it is responding

what are some signs of a nervous dog

• avoid eye contact

• looking around/hypervigilance

• ears low/back

• mouth tense/stress panting

• licking lips

• large yawns

• tail low/tucked

• staying low to ground

• moving slowly

• showing restlessness

what should we consider when using a slip lead

1. Prepare the lead - create a loop large enough to easily pass over the dog’s head

2. Make sure the dog is aware of your presence, so that it doesn't get a fright

3. Hold the loop with your dominant hand - it is best to hold the loop where it joins - that way the loop won't change size when you place it onto the dog

4. Pass the lead over the dogs head - try to do this in a smooth, quick motion

5. Adjust the loop to fit

When working with a dog on the floor, we should

• sit on the ground, so that the dog doesn’t feel threatened by us

• remain standing and lean over the dog when we need to interact with it

• croch (squat) on the ground beside the dog

croch (squat) on the ground beside the dog

• should never sit on the ground b/c we would not be able to react quickly.

which part of the dog should you restrain first?

• head

what are these two types of muzzles called? how should you put them on

left: baskerville

right: mikki

• approach the dog from behind

• the longer part of the muzzle should be under the jaw (applies to both)

• buckles under the ears (applies to both)

• the muzzle strape should be loose enough for two fingers to pass