Dog is man’s best friend, and woman’s too. Our dogs are always thrilled to see us, dinner’s exactly what they were waiting for, and they’ll do the darndest things just to earn a treat. This is the current version of the pre-dinner routine that our rescue Lab Kumba performs for a crisp crunch of cucumber.
We may think that we fully reciprocate the friendship with our dogs. We have given them room and board with sofa privileges, regular exercise, and chewy toys. But are we really doing everything we can to advocate for our pups when they really need a friend?
Trainer Alison Chambers, owner of Complete Canine Training, knows that we can be better advocates when our dogs are stressed by: 1) learning their body language, 2) recognizing signs of distress, and 3) practicing defensive handling to get our dogs safely out of potential trouble.
Learn your dog’s body language.
We may be chatting on the phone or smelling the roses while we’re walking our dog, but Fido is constantly aware of his surroundings, especially someone or something approaching. Here are some signals to watch for in your pup.
| Relaxed, pensive, polite | Alert, concerned, tense |
| Ears back | Ears up |
| Head turned | Head down, or staring |
| Mouth open | Mouth closed |
| Body loose | Body rigid |
Each dog uses his tail to express himself, too. A slow wag might mean she’s relaxed and happy, or that she’s apprehensive. Carrying her tail high might convey pleasure or concern. A tail between the legs when you’re out for a walk? “Get me out of here!”
Common canine calming signals — self-soothing actions like a human’s nail biting — are lip licking and yawning.
Mimic or otherwise acknowledge distress.
Yawning or licking your lips, too, lets your dog know you’ve “heard” her.
Trainer Alison Chambers, owner of Complete Canine Training
Make distance your friend.
Put as much distance as you can between yourselves and the source of the stress.
Trainer Alison Chambers, owner of Complete Canine Training
Use the environment.
Move behind a fence or onto a porch. Lift your dog to safety onto a truck bed or into a trash can. Use a folding chair or a hose or your leash to create a space around you.
Do NOT pick up your dog. He will instantly become prey for the other dog. And you could be seriously hurt.
Trainer Alison Chambers, owner of Complete Canine Training
Use your voice.
A loud “GO HOME!” In an aggressive tone lets the enemy know he is not welcome.
Trainer Alison Chambers, owner of Complete Canine Training
So, listen to your dog’s body language, just like she listens to yours, and you’ll both get more enjoyment out of being each other’s best friends. As always, thank you to the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida, for bringing this dear boy into our lives!
You can read more of Alison’s guidance in previous posts: How to introduce your pandemic pup to a new dog, How to help your unsocialized dog say hello ,How to train your pandemic pup, and Why training your dog is not about the tricks.