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How well can you read your dog’s body language? Dogs communicate with us in all sorts of ways, and body language is an important one. A dog’s body language can tell you if they’re feeling happy, anxious, or afraid, and can help you know what your dog needs in that moment. Here’s our guide to reading canine body language and forming a closer bond with your dog in the process. Why is it important to understand dog body language?Understanding a dog’s body language is a key part of communicating with them. Since our dogs can’t verbally tell us how they’re feeling, it’s important for us to be able to read their cues in other ways. This is especially important when our dogs are introduced to, or interact with, humans or other dogs. We need to be able to tell if our dog is having a good time or is feeling nervous or threatened. Being able to pick up on these signals can help prevent dog fights, as well as bites to humans, and helps minimize stress for your dog.  Happy dog body languageMost of us are familiar with the body language of a happy dog, even if we haven’t quite put our finger on the indicators. Here are some signs that a dog is having a good time:
If your dog is clearly having a good time, just keep doing what you’re doing, whether it’s petting, playing, or simply letting them lie in the sun! If the happy dog in question is new to you, be sure to always approach with caution. If you see a dog that seems to be having a good time, but the dog is unknown to you, do not approach the dog too quickly or assume she will be friendly to strangers. Use caution and look to her human handlers for guidance. Worried/nervous dog body languageSome of the signals that a dog is stressed or nervous are subtle, and some may even mean different things depending on the situation. For these reasons, it’s important to pay close attention to your dog and to be on the lookout for these indications:
 How to help your worried/nervous dogIf you see your dog becoming stressed or nervous, pause and assess the situation. In many cases, you’ll want to immediately stop what you’re doing. It might be obvious what the cause of the stress is: perhaps your dog is reactive to other dogs and he sees another pup across the street while you’re out on a walk. However, it might not always be obvious what the stressor is. For instance, maybe you’re cleaning the house, and noticed your dog exhibiting nervous behavior when you came close to him or reached toward him. Maybe he is guarding a treasured toy or bone that is hidden in the couch cushions, or maybe he feels that you got too close to his bed. In any case, stop and give your dog some space while you try to figure out the situation. This is not a time to try and force things: it’s a time to back off. If you’re reaching toward your dog, calmly draw your hand back. If you’re standing near your dog, calmly walk further away. Avert your gaze and speak in a happy voice to communicate that you’re not a threat. Once you’ve defused the situation, try to figure out what caused the stress. It’s especially important to pay attention to canine body language when your dog is meeting another dog or person. If your dog begins displaying any of the behaviors above, calmly and politely end the meeting as quickly as you can. You may have to be direct with other dog handlers: for example, you might say something like “my dog seems nervous, so we’re going to keep walking,” or “it seems like she needs some space, so let’s stop petting her for now.” Advocate for your dog by speaking up for the needs she’s communicating to you with her body, and never force your dog to meet a dog, person, or other animal that they don’t seem comfortable meeting. (The same goes for being petted by another person—or being petted by you, for that matter.) Never punish your dog for displaying worry or fear. Fearful dog body language/signs a dog may become aggressiveIf a dog feels threatened or protective of resources, he might become aggressive. A helpful saying to keep in mind is “an aggressive dog is a scared dog.” If a dog feels afraid, it could lead to what is typically called “aggressive” behavior. Here are the signs to look for:
In addition, a dog may bark or growl if feeling threatened. A dog growling is not necessarily a bad thing (and should not be punished). A growl is a warning that means “stop” or “stay away.” If you stop the offending behavior, the dog is unlikely to act aggressively. If pressed further, however, there’s a chance he may lunge or snap. How to help a fearful or aggressive dogIn the moment: Just like when you notice your dog feeling stressed, do your best to defuse the situation as quickly and calmly as possible. This is especially important if your dog displays any of the above body language, as it indicates that aggression against others (humans or animals) may come next. To the best of your ability, get your dog out of the situation. If a dog is walking toward you, cross the street. If your cat is getting too close to your dog’s food, move the cat (or the food), and so forth. Your goal is to end the fear-inducing situation as quickly and safely as possible. Long term: There are many reasons that dogs may display aggression. If your dog regularly seems fearful or aggressive, it’s a good idea to begin working with a trainer to get to the root of the issue. Make sure you find someone who uses positive reinforcement training and has a fear free certification.  ConclusionA dog’s body language is an important way they communicate with us (as well as with other dogs). Learning to read your dog’s body language is key to training your dog, bonding with them, and making sure they thrive. Keeping an eye on your dog’s body language in all situations will help ensure your dog has a safe, happy life. If you want to practice observing your dog’s body language, book a Sniffspot and watch your dog play and react to different stimuli! Trainer Review of this ArticleThere is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.
These is the trainer that reviewed this article: Wynona Karbo Owner - Ahimsa Dog Training, Ballard, WA Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Co-host, “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs” on KIRO 97.3 FM
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IntroductionWe all hope our dogs will never bite anyone, but the reality is that it’s always best to be prepared. It’s good to know the reasons dogs may bite, how to stop them from biting you and others, and what to do if a bite does happen.  Why do dogs bite?Play: It’s normal for dogs to bite while playing. Dogs use their mouths to explore the world around them, and playing with their littermates as puppies helps them learn to control the pressure of their bite, so as not to hurt others while playing. Play biting probably comes from dogs learning how to fight through play. Developing the ability to fight is crucial for wild dogs, and play fighting—and the play biting that comes with it—is a safe way to practice this skill. Fear: Dogs may bite when they feel fearful or cornered. This kind of biting will be preceded by fearful body language, growling or lunging. Most dogs won’t bite out of nowhere, and many dog bites can be prevented by keeping a careful eye on the dog’s body language. A dog may bite a person, or another dog, if she feels threatened. If a dog is in a state of fear, any person or animal that walks into the situation (even unknowingly) could be in danger of getting bitten. Pain: Dogs are more likely to bite if they’re ill or have an injury. They might bite if they feel that a person (or other animal) is getting too close to their injury or source of pain. And just like us, dogs’ moods are affected when they are sick or in pain, so a sick dog might be “cranky” and potentially quicker to bite than when he is healthy. How to stop your puppy or dog from biting youPlay biting: You might experience play bites, or “mouthing,” from your dog or puppy while playing. This is a normal behavior for dogs, who explore the world with their mouths, and who use their mouths in play with each other. However, these nibbles can be annoying or painful to humans. To teach your dog or puppy not to bite while playing, just follow the lead of how puppies play. Play with your puppy as normal, and he will likely mouth your hands. When he mouths too hard, yelp and stop playing for a moment. When he stops mouthing, praise him, and go back to playing. Repeat this cycle a few times per play period. Once the dog has learned to back off on the intensity of his bites, repeat the same steps whenever the puppy mouths you at all. He will soon learn that mouthing garners a negative reaction from you and leads to you pausing playing. Provide your adult dog or puppy with a toy or ball that is ok for him to chew, and he will soon learn to chew on appropriate items instead of hands. Adult dogs might take longer to learn this process than puppies, but that’s ok. An adult dog who play bites may not have been socialized with other dogs properly, and thus may not have learned not to nip while playing. Be patient and repeat the process over several play sessions, and continue to provide your dog with appropriate toys that he can chew on when he gets excited. Fearful biting: Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between play biting and biting out of fear-based aggression, but the situation and your dog’s body language should give you some clues. If you think your dog is biting out of fear, the ASPCA recommends finding a qualified dog trainer or Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist to work with you. You’ll want to identify your dog’s triggers and use positive reinforcement training to change their associations with those triggers. The training will be different depending on each dog’s triggers, but will include rewarding your dog when a “scary” object or person is present (for example, the mail carrier or a stranger walking by). Never punish a dog for biting. You might be tempted to, but it will only reinforce their fear around the situation.  How to stop your dog from biting other dogsDogs may bite other dogs for the same reasons listed above, namely play or fear. If your dog bites other dogs while playing: Like we talked about earlier, play biting is a normal behavior among dogs. It’s only a problem if the dog is doing it hard enough to cause the other dogs pain (or if other dog owners don’t like it). Training your dog not to bite other dogs during play is simply an extension of training him not to bite you during play. As you continue to teach your dog that nipping leads to a pause in playing, he should be able to extend this learning to playing with other dogs as well. If your dog gets over excited during play with another dog and won’t stop play biting, employ a “time out” policy and give him a few minutes to cool off. You can also give him a toy to channel his excitement/ biting energy out on. It’s difficult to teach this to a dog while he’s playing with another dog, as he’s going to be worked up, and you have the other dog to contend with. If this continues to be a problem, contact a qualified dog trainer or Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. If your dog bites other dogs out of fear or “aggression”: Unless you’re an experienced dog trainer yourself, this situation calls for the help of a professional. As we talked about above, the ASPCA recommends hiring a qualified dog trainer or Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist to help you train this behavior out of your dog. You’ll need to use positive reinforcement training to establish positive associations with other dogs, though, according to VetStreet, there is no single strategy that works for every dog who bites another dog. In the short term, you might consider training your dog to wear a basket muzzle while out on walks. As the American Kennel Club points out, muzzles have gained an unfair association with “aggressive” dogs, but they are handy tools for preventing some dog behaviors, such as biting or ingesting food off the ground, and they are comfortable for dogs to wear, though they will need some training to get used to them. Check out the VCA’s guide to muzzle training your dog for more information. Consider also that most dogs bite other dogs when they feel threatened. You can take steps to minimize or eliminate the situations that your dog feels threatened in, depending what they are. For example, if your dog bit another dog at the dog park, avoid future dog park visits. How to stop your dog from biting other peopleAgain, if your dog develops an issue with biting other people, this is the time to call in a qualified professional. You’ll need to call in a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a trainer who is experienced with biting. The trainer will help you identify your dog’s triggers and teach you how to rewire your dog’s associations with these triggers. Similarly to a dog who bites other dogs out of fear, training your dog to wear a basket muzzle can be a good solution in the interim. Once you’ve trained your dog to be comfortable with the muzzle, remember that he doesn’t have to wear the muzzle all the time, only in situations where he may be fearful or prone to biting people. What to do if a dog bite happensStay calm: It’s difficult, but if your dog bites a person or another pet, try to stay calm, to the best of your ability. Be kind and polite to the victim and make sure they know you are there to help. Check on the victim: If your dog bit someone and broke the skin, they should seek medical attention. Go with them to the hospital or urgent care center and make sure they receive all the medical help necessary. (Sometimes a dog may snap at someone without actually biting them. This can be scary, but it’s different than biting. To the best of your ability, try to determine whether your dog actually broke the skin before seeking medical treatment for the victim.) Swap contact info: Just like you would with a fender bender, exchange contact information with the victim (if you don’t already have it). This is required in some jurisdictions, and is good practice even if it’s not legally required. Find your dog’s medical records: You’ll need to provide proof (to the victim and possibly their doctor) that your dog is up to date on vaccinations, especially rabies. Seek legal advice (if necessary): Most people who are bitten by dogs do not sue, but you are legally responsible for your dog’s actions, so know that it is a possibility. If you think the person might sue, contact a legal professional for advice. Start behavior modification training immediately: You’ll want to find a qualified trainer or Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist to work with your dog on biting. The trainer will help you figure out your dog’s triggers and will help in trying to prevent the situation from happening again. The ASPCA has a handy guide to finding the right behavioral care professional for your dog. Make sure you choose a professional who only uses positive reinforcement training, which means rewarding the dog for a desired behavior. Positive reinforcement has been shown to be the most effective form of training. Moreover, with a dog who is biting, it’s important not to use any fear-based training (such as punishing an undesirable behavior) as that might create fear or anxiety in the dog and make the situation worse.  What to do if your dog is biting out of pain or illnessIf your dog starts acting differently or suddenly starts biting “out of nowhere,” it’s a good idea to take them to a vet, as this behavior could indicate pain or feeling unwell. If you’ve identified the dog’s illness or source of pain and it’s being treated, be patient with your dog and remember that the biting is situational. Make your dog as comfortable as possible and be extra careful to avoid situations that may cause them to bite. For example, if your dog has an injured leg, she may try to bite people who try to touch that leg. While some such interactions are unavoidable (such as with the vet or with you), you can at least minimize her contact with other people during this time. Give her extra space and remember that she is not acting out of malice, but because of pain and the instinct to defend herself. ConclusionDog bites happen for three main reasons: play, fear, and pain or illness. It’s important to understand why your dog is biting and to know what to do in the event of a dog bite. It’s also important to remember that biting does not mean your dog is a “bad dog.” With some training and patience, you can stop your dog from biting, no matter the cause.
Trainers that reviewed this article There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers. The trainers that review our content are reviewed by other trainers to ensure that we have the best quality filters on our content. This is the trainer that reviewed this article: Alex Walker Professional Canine Trainer - Accredited / PCT Level 2 Courteous Canine/DogSmith of Tampa AKC CGC® and STAR Puppy Approved Evaluator Licensed Pet Dog Ambassador Instructor/Assessor Looking for ways to add some variety to your dog’s daily routine? You might want to try some off leash exercise. Although it might sound intimidating at first, off leash exercise is great for many dogs—including reactive dogs—and great for owners, too! The benefits of off leash exercise for dogsThere are many benefits of off leash exercise, for humans and dogs alike. They include: Physical health: Being off leash lets your dog exercise in ways that aren’t possible when they are on a leash. They may be able to run freely, swim, or hike. These activities can offer higher intensity exercise than most leashed walks or runs with your dog, and can be important contributors to your dog’s health. Mental health: Off leash activities give your dog the freedom to roam, explore, and sniff new things, all of which give your dog much-needed mental stimulation. Building trust: Choosing to do off leash training with your dog means taking the time to teach them cues that will ensure their safety, such as “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” This training builds trust between you and your dog, ultimately leading to a closer relationship. Before you startBe aware of the risks: There is no way to guarantee complete safety with off leash exercise. Because nearly all outdoor environments are unpredictable, you can’t be completely sure that your dog will never be in harm’s way. However, you can mitigate these risks by choosing the right environment and doing lots of off leash training, which we’ll get to later. Set the right expectations: This point is more for you than for your dog. Ask yourself: what do I expect of my dog in a given environment, and how do I expect to train him to do these behaviors? You should also manage your expectations around how quickly your dog will learn these new skills. Be aware that training takes time, repetition, and lots of patience. You will probably be teaching your dog multiple new skills, and she will have to employ them in new and distracting environments. This is a lot for a dog to learn, and will take some time!  Establish good behaviors (for your dog and for you!): Just like setting the right expectations, establishing good behaviors requires you to do some thinking ahead of time. Ask yourself what good behavior will look like for your dog in an off leash environment. Your list will probably include things like excellent recall, paying attention to your cues, and (in some environments) staying close to you. These will become the behaviors you teach your dog during training. In addition, you’ll need to think about what good behavior looks like for you. Think about what you want to accomplish with off leash training and outings, and how you want to respond to your dog in various situations. Dog training can be difficult and slow moving, and is not a one-time activity, but a lifelong process. Decide how you want to respond if the training is not going how you expected it to go, or if you feel yourself getting impatient. Get to know your dog: Before you start off leash training, it’s important to step back and think “what do I know about my dog?” You’ll want to think about things like body language, temperament, and triggers. Think about what makes your dog nervous, what makes her happy, and what she likes to “work” for (such as toys or treats). Be sure to keep in mind what triggers your dog, such as loud noises or strangers, and what her body language looks like when she is triggered vs. when she is calm. These are all important things to keep in mind when you begin your training! Get the right gear: Off leash training doesn’t require any expensive purchases, but you’ll want to make sure you have a couple of things on hand:
Other considerations before getting started:
 Choose the right location: Eventually, you’ll work your way up to training your dog when distractions are present. However, in the beginning, you need a space that is safe, secure, and as quiet as possible.
The training processBeginner training: There are a few behaviors that are key for any dog that will be in an off leash environment:
To train these behaviors, you’ll need to use positive reinforcement, meaning your dog gets a reward when she does what you ask. Use a clicker or a word like “yes” to mark the moment when your dog correctly performs the behavior. Here’s how to train your dog to come when called:
A fun way to practice recall is to use Chirag Patel’s counting game, which uses counting and lots of treats to teach your dog that it’s fun to come when called! Although a lot of repetition is involved, try to limit your training sessions to 15 minutes so your dog doesn’t get tired or overwhelmed. You may have to do several sessions. Remember, patience is key! The process for training your dog to “stay” is similar, but with a couple of key differences:
Again, you will probably have to repeat all steps of the process several times, and may have to have several sessions with your dog before they fully understand. Here’s how the trainers at Dog’s Day Out recommend training your dog to “leave it”:
As your dog gets better at this, you will advance to tossing the low-value treat a few feet away and teaching them to “leave it” in order to get the high value treat. And finally, here’s how to teach your dog to “check in” with you:
Intermediate training: For each behavior, gradually increase the number of distractions in the environment. This may mean moving from indoors to outdoors, or from your own familiar backyard to a Sniffspot! For the “stay” cue specifically, gradually increase the amount of time your dog has to stay, and the activities you do while your dog stays. For instance, once your dog has mastered “stay” while you’re looking at him, advance to briefly looking away while your dog stays, and rewarding him when he does. Be sure not to move too quickly. Once your dog has mastered a basic skill, it may take several sessions before they can move on to performing the behavior with the addition of distractions or longer durations. Increase the difficulty of each behavior as gradually as possible. If you advance to the next step and it seems like your dog doesn’t understand what you want from him, that means you need to back up and go more slowly. Advanced training: Add even more difficulties and distractions! (Again, be sure to do this very gradually.) You might take your training to an area that’s much more distracting, like a dog park or dog beach (as long as your dog isn’t reactive to other dogs). Mastering a skill in a dog park or on a dog beach is a whole other level! (Note: if you take your training to a dog park or beach, do not use treats if other dogs are present, as it may cause food aggression in some dogs.) For the “stay” cue, in addition to training your dog to master it in distracting environments, practice having him stay while you do other things at home: watch TV for a few minutes, cook, etc. For all stages of training, make sure to go slowly, have patience, and reward your dog every time he performs the behavior you want—no matter how long it takes him to get there. Special considerations for reactive dogs: A reactive dog is one who responds to stimuli with an abnormal level of intensity, according to Applied Animal Behaviorist Karen Overall, M.A., V.M.D., Ph.D. The key to training a reactive dog is to know what his triggers are. For instance, some dogs may be reactive to other dogs, to strangers, or to skateboards. When doing off leash training with a reactive dog, restrict access to these triggers as much as possible, especially in the beginning. If your dog is reactive to other dogs or to people, you will need to think seriously about what off leash exercise will look like for him. Make sure you never put your dog in a position where he can hurt himself or others. A private Sniffspot is a great place for dogs with these triggers, while a dog beach or hiking spot likely is not. Off leash training programs: You might want to consider having a trainer work with you and your dog on their off leash skills. Dog trainers can be a great option, especially for dog parents who are new to training.
Managing off leash training on an ongoing basisWhat to do if your dog runs away: If your dog gets away from you in an off leash environment, remain calm. Using the happiest voice you can, try to use your recall word (“come” or similar). If that doesn’t work, brandish any high value treats you have on you, and call your dog again in a happy voice. If you dog gets away from you and you cannot find her, what you do next will depend on the environment you’re in. If you are in a confined area, keep searching and offering treats. If you are in a larger or unfenced area (such as a hiking trail) and cannot find your dog, you may need to bring in the help of a ranger or other official. In all cases, continue to offer treats and to sound friendly. Make yourself as appealing as possible with treats and a happy voice. Try not to let on that you are scared or angry. You want your dog to come back to you at all costs. ID tags and microchips: Before you begin off leash training, you’ll need to make sure your dog is microchipped and that the chips information is up to date. A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that is implanted into a pet. The information encoded into the chip is readable by a scanner. If you adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group, your dog might come with a microchip already implanted. If they didn’t, make an appointment with your vet to get your dog “chipped.” After the chip is implanted, you’ll need to register the microchip number with the appropriate database, which varies depending on the company that manufactured your dog’s chip. You can search the Pet Microchip Lookup to find the company that manufactured your pet’s chip, then register your information with them. Your dog should also always be wearing an identification tag that has his name and your phone number on it. This is true for all dogs, but is especially true if you are going to be engaging in off leash exercise outside your home. Learn how to safely break up a dog fight: We all hope our dogs will never get into a fight, but you’ll want to be prepared just in case. You need to know how to break up a dog fight without getting bitten by one of the dogs. Dr. Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, says “the number one way to avoid being bitten is to avoid trying to grab the head or neck area.” Instead, grab your dog by the rear end or by their rear legs (in a “wheelbarrow” pose), and pull them away from the other dog. You can also try distracting the dogs using a spray bottle, loud noise, or a cue that tends to get their attention, such as “let’s get in the car!”  ConclusionAlthough exercising your dog off leash comes with some risks, it’s a great tool for dogs’ mental and physical health, and can be especially good for reactive dogs under the right circumstances. It’s important to know the risks, set the right expectations, and to have a thorough understanding of your dog’s tendencies and triggers. Do your research and commit to your off leash training, and you can have a lifetime of fun, safe, and rewarding off leash experiences with your dog. And when you are ready, book a spot near you! Trainers that reviewed this articleThere is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers. The trainers that review our content are reviewed by other trainers to ensure that we have the best quality filters on our content.
These is the trainer that reviewed this article: Danette Johnston Owner - Dog's Day Out, Ballard, WA Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) Licensed AKC CGC Evaluator NW Coordinator, Doggone Safe
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