Important reminder from a trainer: Be mindful of a dog's body language while petting them, as it turns out, this is even more crucial than previously thought!
In a recent Instagram post, Juliana DeWillems, the owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior, shared valuable insights on how to properly interact with dogs and respect their personal space.
Dogs are always communicating through body language and behaviour, but humans often struggle to decipher their messages. DeWillems emphasises the importance of knowing how to read dog body language when interacting with them.
When a dog wants personal space and is not given the opportunity to express it, aggressive behaviour can occur. To avoid this, it's crucial to observe the dog's overall body posture and subtle signals indicating comfort or discomfort.
Signs a dog enjoys petting include a relaxed body, soft eyes, gentle tail wagging mostly to the right, and leaning into your touch. Conversely, signs of discomfort or a desire to stop include tense or stiff body posture, ears pinned back, lip licking, yawning, turning the head away, tail wagging to the left or tucked, and attempts to move away.
The 'pet, pet, pause' method is particularly useful with new dogs. This approach allows for an opt-in option for the dog, encouraging them to approach and accept affection on their terms. DeWillems advises against assuming entitlement to pet dogs, especially those we don't know.
To properly read a dog's body language during petting, start petting in areas most dogs like (chest, base of head, back) and avoid sensitive spots like the top of the head or tail base unless the dog initiates contact there. Stop or slow down if the dog shows any stress signals. Building trust by honoring these signals prevents fear-based reactions and strengthens your bond.
In summary, reading your dog’s overall relaxed or tense body language combined with tail movement, facial cues, and paw gestures lets you understand their comfort level during petting and respect their personal space effectively. Stop petting or adjust if you see signs of discomfort to avoid negative reactions.
DeWillems encourages understanding and listening to a dog's communication, emphasising that most dogs have a personal space bubble with people they don't know. By respecting this boundary, we can build stronger, more trusting relationships with our canine companions.
[1] DeWillems, J. (2022). Reading Your Dog's Body Language. Instagram Post. [2] [3] [4] [5] DeWillems, J. (2022). Interacting with Dogs: A Guide to Respecting Personal Space. JW Dog Training & Behavior. [6] Pupford Beef Liver Training Freeze-Dried Dog Treats. (n.d.). Product Review. The Pet Gazette.
- Juliana DeWillems, a professional in the field, shares insights on how to read dog body language and respect their personal space.
- A dog's enjoyment of petting can be indicated by a relaxed body, soft eyes, gentle tail wagging, leaning into touch, but signs of discomfort include tense body posture, ears pinned back, lip licking, yawning, turning the head away, tail wagging to the left or tucked, and attempts to move away.
- The 'pet, pet, pause' method is beneficial with new dogs, as it encourages them to approach and accept affection on their terms.
- To build a stronger, more trusting relationship with your canine companion, it is essential to understand and respect their personal space, especially with dogs you don't know, following the advice from JW Dog Training & Behavior.
