How to deal with fear ... (Part II)

How to see if he's afraid, or the different expressions which show fear in a dog :

I mentioned the signals of appeasement above. A dog shows us that something is distressing him, and tries to communicate his wish for the « threat » to disappear. I come in peace, I'm not a threat, please stop shouting at me, I am your friend, I don't understand what you want me to do, but if you would kindly be more clear, I would do as you ask, why are you annoyed, please calm down...and even more. It's always the first reaction.

The dog is the most « malleable » animal that I know. He can adapt to nearly everything, and most often the biggest challenge for him is to make himself understood by his masters (we never realize just how far we can be obtuse in relation to our dog, even with the best will in the world... after all we can't see the micro-signals, we can't smell emotions with our noses...all in all, compared to dogs, we are socially handicapped...)

Thus, here, I shall simply deal with the signals of appeasement that we can see with the human eye, if of course we want to see them.

The dog wags his tail ? He's not forced to be simply happy to see you. He may be asking himself why you're looking at him so intensely, and is communicating his wish to do the right thing by this simple gesture. (Stop staring at me, I promise, I am your friend, everthing is all right... won't you scratch me under the chin, see, like that we'll be friends for good...)

Other signs like panting, yawning, standing sideways or lying on his back, show his desire to make peace with no provocation. He's beginning to feel nervous. To the extreme, ears layed back and tail between legs (at that moment, if we really pay attention, we can see the pupils dilate) : he's afraid (or he is being submissive to another dog, but that's another kettle of fish...). He makes himself very small. (He may also hide under a table or between your legs...maybe if I hide it might go away...)

Soon after, or at the same time, the hairs on his back rise (maybe if I look bigger he'll leave me alone ? Yes, even dogs can be ambivalent...)

Then he shows his teeth, and growls (if you don't go away I'll bite you!)

And, finally, if he has found no way to avoid the threat or if the threat hasn't gone away of its own accord, he bites. By « he bites », I mean his jaws end up around your skin (or your trousers). It may have for consequence a simple, painless nip or something much more bloody, it always means that the dog's « limits » have been exceeded.

Sometimes dogs take short cuts. If the threat is unexpected and sudden, or if, for example, they are surprised (I was quietly sleeping in my corner when a little man walked on my tail... it hurt so much that I retaliated...). And of course, in the case of a serious threat, there are only two alternatives : flee or attack. On a lead, in a small enclosed room, back up against a wall... the most logical response is to attack.

Another thing which is important to know : a dog that growls, shows his teeth or barks... is NOT « dangerous ». He is warning you, it's up to you to go away (or to make yourself less of a threat, by crouching down for example, looking sideways, turning your back to him... it's nothing dishonourable, these are appeasing signals that he understands, it's as simple as that) if you wish to avoid being bitten.

Scold a dog because he's growling … and next time he may not give warning before he bites. At that moment it's better to try to understand what is frightening him and to « reassure » him (take away the threat, distract his attention by calling him or clicking your tongue, squeeking a toy, giving him a tit-bit...)

The correct behaviour :

In the face of fear there are two « schools of thought » :

Some believe that the dog should not be afraid, or should learn to control himself in any circumstances.

If the dog is afraid, above all, one should not reassure him, he could think that he is being rewarded because he is afraid, therefore be even more afraid, thinking that it is what is expected of him... The dog is not as stupid as we might be led to believe … quite the contrary. Thus, according to this theory, he should be ignored and we should remain indifferent (given that he will be more or less conscious of what's going on in our head...), or even scold him (if he becomes a threat for example, but I have already explained above that this isn't a good solution, it could even result in making him more tense...)

As you may have understood, I am of the second « school », the one that thinks a frightened dog should be reassured.

That doesn't mean melting and becoming all gooey (ooooooooh ! My poooooor baby, all afraid ! Come to Mummy for a cuggle ! … etc...), it simply means distracting his attention away from what is scaring him, occupy him, play and make what could potentially be a traumatizing experience into a moment of joy, fill the events with positive emotions and dedramatize.

But it can also mean simply reassuring your dog. He is between your legs because a nearby motorbike makes a deafening noise ? Speak to him quietly and calmly, stroke him between the eyes, under his chin, behind his ears (these are three strategic places, it never fails to relax him). He will understand that you are not distressed by the situation, and will finally understand that there is no real danger, just a thing that « stinks and makes a lot of noise » (I have nothing against motorbikes, I'm just putting myself in his place...).

He growls at someone and shows his teeth ? Ask that person to move away, or move yourself and your dog away from him, the simple act of moving the « threat » out of his personal zone can most often be enough to sufficiently reassure the dog. Then, he may move in closer to the person by himself in order to smell him, identify him and get used to his presence.

Similarly, when you pass someone in the street who has a dog on a lead, and your dog is also on a lead, avoid letting the dogs pass each other « face to face », it would encourage a showdown, and then there is no way to escape... you can never know if the other dog is well socialized...

An unknown dog « charges » at you in the street ? Even if crouching down and turning your back on him seems rather ridiculous and dishonourable (you say to yourself, after all, it's only a dog... he should « respect » you as a human being... etc...), this gesture can avoid your suffering from a very painful bite. In any case, it's a « trick » which could save your child if he ever came up against such a situation, a dog will not attack something which is crouched close to the ground (unless he has been trained to do so...)

Crouching down to meet an unknown dog at his level and letting him sniff your hand, thus letting him « identify » you, before even thinking of petting him is not a degrading act, it's simply being polite. You are beginning your relationship on good terms and the dog is reassured. Later, stronger bonds may be made, but the first impression will be the best possible one. Nothing will prevent you from becoming good friends in the future, since the first step was made in the right way. It's good to know when visiting a breeder's to choose a puppy : standing up will not encourage the pups to come and « explore » this strange new creature that is perched up high on stilts, except maybe for the most courageous...

One last thing, and maybe the hardest to control : never forget that if you're afraid, the dog always knows it, and it makes him even more afraid... so, try to just breathe, and stay as calm as possible.

Christine COL

Translation by Helen COL