‘Ask before you approach’ | Corewell Health

Even the friendliest of our furry friends can have a day off.

Statistics back it up: About 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And many of these incidents could be preventable.

Paying attention to a dog’s signals — and asking the owner before petting a dog — can reduce the risk of being bitten, Spectrum Health Police Sgt. Cooper “Coop” Watkins, a certified dual-purpose police dog trainer who trains and supervises the team of eight police dogs at Corewell Health West Michigan.

“The rule of thumb is to ask before you approach,” Watkins said.

An owner knows their dog best and should let you know if it’s a good time to interact, Watkins said.

There are certain behaviors or actions you should be aware of when approaching a dog for the first time.

“The dog can tell you he doesn’t want to be petted right now,” Watkins said. “So paying attention to body language cues can be extremely helpful.”

Ask before stroking

Always ask permission before approaching or petting a dog, Watkins said.

“In our line of work with professional working dogs, I can tell when you’re not having a good day,” he said. “And I can tell when he doesn’t want to be a pet. You should always ask first.

You never know if a dog might have an injury or if it’s unsocial.

“Not all dogs are friendly,” he said. “They may appear from afar, but once you enter their bubble, everything can change.”

Dogs have personal space, just like humans, he said. You don’t want to enter this space if the dog isn’t ready. The animal could misinterpret a person’s approach and see it as a threat.

“Once you corner a dog, the last resort will be for the animal to try to get out of the situation,” he said. “And dogs always use their mouths to show when something is wrong.”

To help avoid a biting incident, do not allow unsupervised interactions with new dogs.

Traffic signs

“I would always say proceed with caution,” Watkins said. “Dogs will give you signs of apprehension or approval, so it’s always good to be aware.”

You want the dog to approach you first, he says. Even if the owner gives you permission to pet the dog, that doesn’t necessarily mean the interaction will go well.

If a dog does not want to be touched, he may back away, lean towards his owner, prick his ears back, bark, growl, shake or bare his teeth.

“They can’t speak to us in a language we understand, so we have to use our eyes to interpret what they’re trying to tell us,” Watkins said. “If the dog shows you that he is not okay with this, take a moment, take a step back and let the dog come to you.”

The best ways to approach

Stand non-aggressively and let the dog enter your space. Don’t push the interaction.

“It’s not always safe to reach out,” Watkins said. “Some dogs may see this as a challenge.”

Do not stand on top of the dog’s body, as the animal may view this as a sign of dominance.

“Don’t do anything that could be considered challenging or dominating,” Watkins said. “Treats can also be a good introduction if the owner allows it and is part of the interaction, but that’s different from dog to dog.”

As a dog owner, there are things you can do to prepare your dog for a new interaction.

“I always have my dog ​​sit first. I give them a command to let them know it’s okay to be a pet first,” he said. can do as a handler to make it easier for people by creating a routine or ritual that must be completed before someone can pet them.”

Watch out for aggressive dogs

The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Don’t yell or do anything that makes you appear aggressive.

“Dogs read body language about us, just like we read them,” Watkins said. “If you look them in the eye, yell or engage, they might see it as a challenge.”

Make slow movements and move away from the dog.

“Get out of the dog’s space and walk away,” Watkins said. “Go slow and don’t be the rabbit.”

Watkins said dogs have a natural desire to chase their prey. If you run, the dog will naturally want to chase you. It is a challenge or a game, based on instinct.

If your dog is attacked

If your dog has an encounter with another dog, don’t jump into the fray.

“There’s going to be a lot of noise and biting if your dog is involved, and if you go in there, you’re going to get bitten,” Watkins said.

You can try distracting dogs with water, if available. Or, if the other dog’s owner is present, you can both try to lead the dogs away from each other by the hind legs, but Watkins cautions against doing this alone.

“Avoid hot areas, including the neck, face, and mouth,” he said. “And don’t stand over or dominate the dogs, as this could be considered an act of dominance.”

How to handle a dog bite

If you are attacked by a dog, cover your face, neck and vital organs. Call for help or try to remove yourself from the situation.

“There are aggressive dogs, just like there are aggressive people,” Watkins said. “But most dogs aren’t looking for a fight. It mostly happens by chance.

Being aware of your surroundings can prevent most altercations, Watkins said.

“I’ve seen so many dog ​​bites happen by someone tripping into a dog’s space, in their yard or their domain, and catching them off guard,” he said. “Watch out for stray dogs when walking. Keep your eyes open and be aware.

Often a dog bite happens so quickly that you can’t do anything to prevent it.

“Every circumstance is different,” he said. “It can happen with a family friend or neighbor just as easily as with a stranger.”

In the event of an incident, exchange contact details and ask about the dog’s vaccination history. Dog bites pose a high risk of infection, so clean the wound and seek medical attention if necessary.