Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim
How to Greet Dogs
by Debbie Jacobs
Unfortunately for fearful and aggressive dogs, the manner in which most people introduce themselves to dogs can be threatening to them. While a well socialized dog may tolerate and even enjoy a hand reaching out to them, a face looming over them or eye-to-eye contact, the scared dog often cannot.
The Dog Gone Safe Web site has great information for helping anyone learn more about how to greet and interact with dogs.
It is best not to assume that any dog you encounter is a dog that is comfortable greeting a stranger. Even the most stable dog can be stressed in some situations and prefer to be left alone. Unless you consider yourself an expert on dog body language it's best to let a dog initiate an interaction with you, rather than you moving toward them.
Even a dog that approaches you for a sniff may not be saying, 'Hi! Pet me!' My own scared dog will frequently move toward people to get a sniff, but will bolt away should they move or look at him. He is trying to see what he's dealing with, not trying to deal with it.
Children are often taught to put their hand out for a dog to sniff. Again, not a problem for a 'happy to see you' kind of dog, but for a fearful dog that hand can be scary and for a dog that is aggressive, biting that hand may seem like the thing they need to do to protect themselves from it.
I'm sorry to say that the people who consider themselves to 'good with dogs' or people who would say that 'dogs like them' are often the worst when it comes to dealing with fearful dogs. They just cannot accept or believe that a dog would not warm up to them or enjoy their company. A fearful dog's behavior should not be taken personally. My dog Sunny is an equal opportunity fearful dog, as are many dogs like him.
Below are a few guidelines to follow when meeting new dogs.
Do not approach a dog, especially if it is tied up or on leash.Source: http://fearfuldogs.com/how-to-greet-dogs
Part 2 of a fascinating interview! Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, a PhD at Barnard College, Columbia University, discusses some really interesting research from her book Inside of a Dog. –Kim
Here's a great article and a humorous news story that I thought I would pass on...hope you find them interesting! –Kim
"Please, Don't Sniff My Crotch!"
As you know, sniffing is a natural and important behavior for your dog. He uses his heightened sense of smell to help identify people and other dogs, to determine where they've been, and to determine another dog's sex and position in the pack's pecking order.
In most cases, a dog can learn a lot by a quick sniff – and that's normal, natural behavior that dog owners and their guests have come to accept. However, sometimes a dog seems to become fixated on this behavior and their constant, prolonged sniffing becomes embarrassing for the owner and the people being subjected to the sniffing.
How to nip over-sniffing in the bud
If your dog is an overzealous sniffer, the first thing to remember is that, to him, this is appropriate behavior. Which means, of course, that it's up to you to help him "understand" that he shouldn't overdo it. Here's how:
If your dog sniffs at you in this way, don't back away from him, as this gives him the message that you are submissive and that he's in control. To properly train your dog, you need to reinforce your role as leader of the pack. Instead, give him the "no" command and move forward toward your dog. As a result of doing this, he will back away from you. Be sure to reward him when he behaves appropriately.Consistency is key. Never allow any behavior from your dog that you don't want to see again, and make sure that everyone in the household is sending your dog the same messages. Be sure everyone in your family understands the difference between appropriate sniffing and overzealous, embarrassing sniffing.
Source: http://www.pedigree.com/02All-Things-Dog/Article-Library/fetch.aspx?artId=762&catId=1&sCatId=12&catName=Puppy&sCatName=Socialization
© 2009 Mars, Incorporated and Affiliates
An Intimate Sniff Not an Assault if Performed by a Dog, Judge Rules
By Les Kennedy
November 29, 2002
Sydney, Australia - If a police drug sniffer dog nuzzled a person's crotch it could be interpreted in the animal kingdom as a friendly gesture and not an assault, a Supreme Court judge said yesterday.
Also, the use of a police sniffer dog could be likened to an extension of the nose of a police officer, just as their flashlight enhanced their eyesight at night, Justice Barry O'Keefe said in dismissing a magistrate's decision to quash drug charges against a Sydney man.
Justice O'Keefe was hearing an appeal by police against a decision last year by Deputy Chief Magistrate Mary Jerram to dismiss two drug possession charges against Glen Darby, 22. Darby was detected carrying cannabis and amphetamines by police sniffer dog Rocky outside an Oxford Street nightclub on February 25, 2001.
Ms. Jerram ruled Rocky intruded on individual rights when it allegedly sniffed out the drugs and put its nose on his pocket.
But Justice O'Keefe said Rocky's "olfactory sense merely enhances that of a police officer in the same way that a flashlight enhances the officer's sight."
Clive Steirn, SC, for Darby, had submitted that the search by the dog was a result of a trespass to him. But Justice O'Keefe said what Rocky had done did not constitute a search and the act of sniffing involved no trespass.
Mr Steirn had said: "If Your Honor were to do as this dog did and nuzzle the defendant's genitals, it would be an indecent assault."
But Justice O'Keefe, while struggling to keep a straight face, replied: "It is unnecessary for the purposes of this decision to resolve that question.
"Acts that might constitute an indecent assault if perpetrated by one human being on another, may well be characterized quite differently if performed by one dog on an other, or by a dog on a human.
"When a 'crotch nuzzle' ... is performed by a dog in relation to a human being, it may be no more than a conventional, friendly, social gesture with no hostile intent, and unlikely to constitute an assault," he said.
Darby's charges will be resubmitted to the Local Court.
Source: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/28/1038386259905.html
Unusual Pet Gifts –
Use Coupon Code FREESHIP or SAVE3
Puppy Calendars
with Free Shipping
Homeopathy
Ask a Vet Online
