07/18/2023
AVOID a dog bite by understanding dogs' body language! I should know better - I have been training dogs professionally for about 10 years and have had so many great teachers. Yet, when I came to a friend's home earlier this summer and went into her huge fenced yard with two excited dogs it never occurred to me that the dogs were over threshhold and it was not safe. Sure enough, the anxious one of the duo, who knew me less proceeded to nip my leg and broke skin. My friend got him away and no serious harm done. We followed up this unfortunate episode with three sessions of counter-conditioning and the relationship was repaired! Still, I was embarrassed that this ever happened in the first place - don't let it happen to you. Here's a great resource for understanding canine body language:
A small but mighty illustrated gift book and guide to understanding dog body language to improve human and dog relationships, and dog welfare. By artist Lili Chin of DoggieDrawings.net
