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TRANSCRIPT
“This is interesting. Dogs, like people, use body language to express feelings.”
Canine Communication 101
Pussycat Posture
Can You Read the Body Language?
Cute,
Cuddly
Trusted Companion
Faithful Friend
And in many households, the favorite member of
the family.
Before we get to dogs…..
Lest you think house cats are harmless…….
The following images were taken in Milwaukie. This woman was attacked by her own cat. It attacked, disengaged,
reengaged, and attacked her four separate times in a matter of minutes. She required
a regimen of antibiotics for infected wounds.
Cats – Visual Cues
Although cats are more likely to run away than attack, a cat‐bite is extremely serious. Bacteria in a cat’s mouth can cause deadly infections. Anyone that has been scratched by a cat’s claws often experience swelling and pain caused by nasty bacteria that has entered the wound. Being bitten is FAR WORSE.
If you are bitten by a cat, you MUST GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. Antibiotics are necessary. Infections caused by cat bites have caused such severe infections that sometimes the affected limb had to amputated.
WARNING: Not for the faint of heart, the next slide includes several images of serious dog‐bite wounds…..
We all know what damage a dog’s teeth and bite pressure can do ‐
Basic dog body language
This is a brief overview of how dogs communicate emotions
Happy Dogs!
Play Bow, Happy Tail Wagging
It’s not the size of the dog…….
Fear, submission, cowering• Tail tucked between legs
• Rounded back and hindquarters
• Ears lowered and pressed back against head/neck
• Mouth closed, sad expression
• Tongue licking upper lip
• Tongue and lip smacking
• Fur lays close and flat to body
• May whine, or may be silent
• May cringe, and close eyes expecting to be punched or hit
• Might urinate in fear
• May roll over and present throat
• If threatened may lunge in self‐defense
Worried –nervous dogs
“Whale Eye” or crescent moon shapeThis indicates the dog is fearful and nervous. He may respond to a person’s approach by slinking away, or if touched might snap or bite to defend what he perceives as a possible attack. Be careful, and keep your distance. If the dog’s capture is necessary, use safety tools and move slowly. Speak calmly.
More examples of ‘whale‐eye’. These are nervous dogs that might fear‐bite if confronted.
Stalking Prey, Hunting Mode• Ears forward (most times)
• Focused stare
• Crouching, slow, deliberate walk
• Tail straight in line with body, or slightly lowered
• Anticipating movement of prey
• Pointing; raised paw
Sounding the Alarm
Attack Risk – Low, MediumVery little or no upper teeth display
Low growling sounds
Obligatory barking to warn other pack members
Walking, circling but not advancing too close
Tail raised, stiff wag
Stiff gait, walk or trot
Looking but not staring
Dominance – Aggression – Attack Risk HighCould be displaying aggression or dominance to protect property
Could be showing dominance, to protect human pack members
• Barking, growling, snarling
• Lips curled, lifted for best display of teeth
• Wrinkles between nose and eyes.
• Ears laid backward
• Tongue rigid and pulled away from teeth
• Looks directly at you
• Moves quickly and menacingly toward you; lunges
OBSERVATION SKILLS Entry to Property ‐ Preparation
• Part of personal safety is being observant of one’s surroundings before approaching any location.
• Look for cover and concealment opportunities.
• Look for potential hazards.
• What observations should we be looking for that would forewarn us there are dogs present?
Even though they have been domesticated for thousands of generations dogs still
maintain their original wolf‐ancestor ‘prey drive’.
Fast movements, such as running away can activate the ‘instinct to chase’.
Don’t make any fast movements.
Human body language, expressions that minimize/lessen the chances of being bitten:
Talk calmly, move slowly
Don’t stare into eyes of dog
Stand still, keep arms pressed to sides, or folded
Don’t let the dog sneak in behind you
Dogs recognize human facial expressions – smile
Baby‐talk often calms dogs
Exude confidence and purpose
Dogs sense fear
Objects you can use to deter/block a dog attack, or use to herd dog into securable area:
If you are caught unaware, and confronted by a threatening dog, IMPROVISE!
What if you have to capture a dog? Does it need to be quarantined? Injured and has to be transported to
vet?
Use of First‐Aid wrap as make‐shift muzzle.
And SNACKS!
SLIP‐LEASH
SNAPPY SNARELeash used for capture of non‐aggressive dogs.
DOG POLE, OR SNARE POLE
Fits snug around neck, but don’t over‐tighten; you can choke the dog, causing air‐
restriction/suffocation.
Does not work on cats; unless placed behind front legs and shoulders. Good luck accomplishing that feat.
Safety gear: Use of Gloves
USE OF BLANKETS
• Can be used as drop‐net, or wrap to capture cats
• Animals are more calm when hidden in a dark, enclosed space
• Helps reduce shock from fear or injury
• Difficult for animals to bite what they can’t see.
• Can be used to move injured animals
OTHER REASONS TO CARRY HEAVY LEATHER GLOVES. OTHER REASONS TO
CARRY EMERGENCY BLANKET IN TRUNK OF CAR.
In an emergency, are you prepared?
OPTIONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Officer Ulrike (Ulli) NeitchMilwaukie Police Department24‐hour phone # 503‐545‐3933
Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue Team
503‐849‐5655
Available for Agency Assists in Portland Metro Area.Available to offer suggestions on how to handle various animal
types/situations.
When technical equipment‐expertise needed for animal rescue situations: high angle/cliff rescue, enclosed spaces, tree climbing in emergency situations.