Bite Prevention: Reading Body Language and Predicting Behavior Meghan E. Herron, DVM, DACVB The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center www.vet.osu.edu/behavior Goals: 1. Foster a better understanding of canine and feline body language 2. Demonstrate how human body language affects the behavior of animals 3. Learn techniques to ease animal stress and fear associated with the shelter setting, thereby reducing arousal and aggression 4. Promote safety for clinicians and staff 5. Increase your confidence in handling dogs and cats 6. Provide tools for safe and effective restraint of fractious animals Canine body language: Signs of a RELAXED dog Posture: relaxed, weight carried evenly, may see play bow or body wiggle Tail: relaxed & neutral position, may be wagging Ears: Relaxed, neutral position Mouth: appears soft, may be open, tongue hanging out, mouth may be closed with lips relaxed over teeth Eyes: soft, relaxed, eyebrows neutral, normal pupil size, steady, relaxed gaze Signs of a defensively threatening dog Body Posture: muscles tense, weight shifted back, low to ground, may roll to expose belly, holding one paw up Tail: stiff, usually tucked or low to ground, may be wagging (slowly or rapidly) Piloerection: may or not be present, may be blowing coat Ears: pulled back against head Mouth: lips pulled back +/- growling/snarling, often see excessive panting, lip licking, chewing, yawning Eyes: Vigilant with pupils dilated, eyebrows furrowed, scanning/darting eyes, whaleeye The defensively threatening dog: Is feeling threatened and is saying I don t like that, stop what you are doing! This dog is trying to avoid a fight, and would rather run away But is likely to become OFFENSIVELY THREATENING if provoked further. DO NOT ANTAGONIZE THIS DOG! Stop and make a behavior management plan Signs of an offensively threatening dog Body posture: hard & stiff :muscles tensed, weight forward, may be very still Tail: carried high, often wagging slowly & methodically
Piloerection: usually present Ears: erect and forward, little movement Mouth: top lip pulled up (baring front teeth only), growling, snapping, barking Eyes: Hard stare, wide open or squinted/hooded, eyebrows tensed, pupils dilated The offensively threatening dog: This dog means business, is ready and willing to aggress, is not going to avoid it any longer if a perceived threat continues. NOTE: It is VITAL to understand that while we may think this dog is acting aggressively or offensively, the underlying motivation for this behavior is FEAR! Read this dog s body language: Read this dog s body language: Read this dog s body language:
Read this dog s body language: Read this dog s body language:
Human vs. canine body language Our approach: we are taught to meet & greet people with a direct approach while making direct eye contact, we often move rather quickly and lean forward to shake hands or offer a hug, etc Dogs greet each other more indirectly lateral approach, polite sniffing, averted gaze, play bow Dogs who approach other dogs with forward, direct behavior are perceived as threatening and may elicit fear +/- aggression Inherent miscommunication when an unfamiliar human approaches a dog; As humans, when we communicate directly, many dogs find it threatening We must learn to use the appropriate body language to help dogs understand that we intend no harm. This is very important for fearful/aggressive dogs Examination Tips: First, asses the dog s stress level - toss treats to gage receptivity to interactions. DO NOT attempt to examine an obviously stressed/fearful dog without a behavior management plan. GO SLOW! As you progress continue to re-evaluate the dog s body language. Turn your body to the side, bending at your knees NOT waist. Approach from the side instead of the front, use a light, friendly voice. Many dogs are more comfortable, and show less fearful/aggressive behavior when their owners are present. Examination Tips: Be cautious when handling head, feet, tail. Use the least restraint required to safely handle the dog. Avoid recumbency whenever possible (it is often threatening). Saphenous venipuncture is often more readily accepted. When using restraint, it should be of steady, even pressure. Handling aids are more effective when applied before your patient s fear/aggression has escalated. Utilize food: A dog who is eating has lower stress levels and is less likely to bite. Avoid punishment (verbal or physical reprimands) Getting the fearful dog out of a cage 1. Turn your body sideways and crouch down outside the kennel 2. Offer a greeting with a soft, friendly voice, toss treats into the kennel 3. If the dog approaches, keep the treats coming 4. Stay to the side of the kennel and slowly open kennel door, continue giving treats, slowly place slip leash around neck, keeping your body facing sideways, avoiding eye contact 5. If the dog does not approach: leave treats on the floor of the cage and go away and try again in a few minutes. The dog will likely come forward for the treats once you are out of sight
6. Patience is key: you may need to repeat this exercise several times, eventually the dog learns that you are not a threat, but that good things (treats) happen when you approach. 7. Avoid placing fearful dogs on top cages Feline Body Language Mood scoring Head & Body Postures 1: Relaxed 2: Alert 3: Tense 4: Anxious 5: Fearful 6: Terrified Relaxed Head: resting on surface or over body Eyes: closed to heavy, pupils slit to normal size Ears: turned slightly forward Sounds: none/purr Tail: extended or loosely wrapped; up or loosely down when standing Other: May see bunting Alert Head: over the body, some movement Eyes: open normally, pupils normal Ears: normal or erected to front or back Sounds: none or meow Tail: relaxed, some twitching Tense Head: over the body or pressed to body, little or no movement Eyes: wide open, pupils normal to partially dilated Ears: erected to front or back Tail: close to body; tense downwards or curled forward, may be twitching Other: ventral recumbency or slinking Sounds: none, meow, or plaintive meow Anxious Head: on the plane with body, little or no movement Eyes: wide open, pupils dilated Ears: partially flattened Tail: close to the body; may be curled forward close to body when standing
Sounds: none, plaintive meow, growling, yowling Other: increased RR Fearful Head: tucked, still Eyes: wide open, pupils fully dilated Ears: fully flattened Tail: close to the body; curled under body when standing Sounds: none, plaintive meow, growling, yowling Other: freezing, fidgeting, escaping, aggression Terrified Head: lowered Eyes: pupils fully dilated Ears: fully flattened, back on head Tail: close to body Sounds: spitting, growling, yowling, hissing, shrieking Other: Halloween Cat full piloerection, freezing, fidgeting, escaping, aggression Aggression in a veterinary setting Defensive, variable degrees of aggression Fear or pain related aggression Confident aggression not seen in this setting Warning signs of an imminent cat bite Sudden dilation of pupils Piloerection Fast, jerky swishing of tail Swatting with forearms Vocalization yowling, shrieking, spitting Direct stare with open mouth vocalizations
Describe this cat s state of mind: 1: Relaxed 2: Alert 3: Tense 4: Anxious 5: Fearful 6: Terrified Describe this cat s state of mind: 1: Relaxed 2: Alert 3: Tense 4: Anxious 5: Fearful 6: Terrified Describe this cat s state of mind: 1: Relaxed 2: Alert 3: Tense 4: Anxious 5: Fearful 6: Terrified
Describe this cat s state of mind: 1: Relaxed 2: Alert 3: Tense 4: Anxious 5: Fearful 6: Terrified