When a dog learns that this posture works, of course they will use it as it makes them feel safe. Sadly, I have had hundreds of clients tell me their dog used to be “shy with humans but is now lunging and snapping at them.” If a fearful/shy dog is not properly conditioned to see people as a source of good things, he may learn to use more forward body postures with a show of teeth, growling or air snapping. However, many dogs learn to use more aggressive cues and postures such as head up with a forward stance, growling, lip curling, air snapping, lunging and barking just to mention a few. Some dogs learn that these distance cues are ignored by humans, so they simply avoid humans to avoid conflict. Forward stance with a show of aggression works. Low level distances cues should never be punished, as this can result in a dog that is not allowed to express his fear, hence the dog may bite with no apparent warning. If you see your dog offer a distance cue then you need to help your dog by asking people to ignore your dog, back away or removing your dog from the encounter. The need for distance is apparent by this dogs lowered head, entire body leaning away from the hand, and his paw is raised in a submissive gesture. These behaviors begin with the puppy and are called “shy dogs” and can include skittish behaviors such as looking away, leaning away, cowering, hiding under furniture, paw lifted, quick lip licking, and enlarged eyes with the whites of the eyes showing. If they are still afraid, they will simply bite as their fear overrides their ability to think.ĭistance Cues are body postures or signs your dog uses to tell strangers (and other dogs) they would like to have more space. Dogs will offer requests for distance, called distance cues until they learn that their requests go ignored by the human. In this Blog I will teach you how to prevent your dog from biting a person by helping you understand when your dog is feeling stressed and needs more space from an unfamiliar person. Read Blog #2 I explain how to desensitize and counter condition or change how your dog feels about people. Read Blog #1 I discuss the importance of good management preventing your dog from practicing the unwanted behavior of lunging at people. This Boston terrier is terrified as demonstrated by his wide eyes, ears drawn back, face turned away, lips pulled tight and closed mouth all show his fear.This is the third blog on how to help the dog who is barking and lunging at people using a positive approach.īlog #1 How to Stop Aggressive Dog Barking at People. This is Blog #3 of a 5 part series on how to prevent your dogs from biting a stranger using a positive approach.
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