This column appeared in the August 19, 2005 edition of The Newtown Bee:

 

Dear Lisa: There is a new dog in the neighborhood which comes down the street when I’m walking my dog, an older Whippet. I always keep my dog on the leash, but this new dog, a large Shepherd-mix, comes trotting up to us, growls and then runs away. I don’t know if the dog is being friendly and wants to play or if it’s being aggressive towards us. What kind of body language can I look for that might help me decide to reach out and pet the dog or completely avoid him? – Street Wise Smarts

Dear Street Wise: We all use body language to communicate with one another. Dogs use that skill as one of their main communication tools. Being able to “read” the dog bounding down the street will help you decide to reach out or run away.

Heads up

The best place to look for body language first is the dog’s head. It contains the ears and mouth, two key indicators of its intentions. A friendly dog should have his ears relaxed, either at the side of his head or erect if that’s it normal position. Be aware of dogs with fully erect, stiff ears or pointing towards you in what may appear to be an over extension. It’s part of the process of pumping up to look larger than life. Conversely, dogs with flattened ears may exhibit fear or aggression. The key is normal, relaxed looking ears for the breed.

The most obvious place to look for aggression is the mouth, which has the potential to do the most harm if the dog is truly being aggressive. His mouth should be open, either tongue hanging out, if he is breathing heavy from heat, or maybe looking like a smile if he is relaxed. It can be closed if he is listening to you.

Beware of the dog that has tight lips, especially if they begin to curl up over the teeth. You don’t want to see a dog bearing his teeth, especially if it’s accompanied by a low growl.

Body Posture

At the other end of the dog is the tail. Look to the tail to tell you exactly what the dog is thinking. You want to see a tail that is making big sweeping motions back and forth. We all know what a happy dog tail looks like. Some tails that are tightly curled may only shake back and forth in the same motion. Same goes for docked or shortened tails, the little nub may go back and forth rather quickly, but still in a friendly manner.

A dog with a tail that is swished back and forth with tight muscles is cause for concern. This is a definite sign of aggression. Another sign of possible aggression would be a stiff body with the hair along the spine raised up. If they are also walking very slowly towards you with head lowered and staring at you, that’s a bad sign too.

Lisa’s Pick of the Litter

This just in from the BBC News Online: Dogs can now have their blood type tested, potentially saving thousands of canine lives.

Currently, dogs can only have one blood transfusion in their lives because of the risk of a harmful immune reaction. But soon it will be possible to administer blood of the right type, just as it is in humans, preventing life-threatening rejection in dogs.

Lisa Peterson, a long-time owner/breeder/handler of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the AKC Director of Club Communications. If you have a question, send it to Lisa at ask@lisa-peterson.com and she may select it for a future column.