This is interesting. Dogs, like people, use body language to express feelings.

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 selfdefense

Worried nervous dogs

Whale Eye or crescent moon shape This 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, Medium Very 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 High Could 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?

Don t make any fast movements. 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.

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 makeshift muzzle.

SLIP LEASH And SNACKS!

SNAPPY SNARE Leash 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 airrestriction/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) Neitch Milwaukie Police Department 24 hour phone # 503 545 3933 Available for Agency Assists in Portland Metro Area. Available to offer suggestions on how to handle various animal types/situations. Oregon Humane Society Technical Animal Rescue Team 503 849 5655 When technical equipment expertise needed for animal rescue situations: high angle/cliff rescue, enclosed spaces, tree climbing in emergency situations.