A local dog trainer presented information about effectively reading dogs’ body language on April 20 at the Lorain Public Library System Avon Branch.
Amy Hunt, a certified dog trainer, founded Multiple Breed Rescue in 2006. It is located at 37305 Royalton Road in Grafton, and it is a non-profit multi-purpose facility.
During the morning seminar, Hunt stressed the importance of properly training dogs in addition to choosing a qualified trainer.
“You can severely damage a dog,” she told the class of about 10 people.
Hunt began the presentation by teaching the correct method to approach a dog, which she described as lining your hip up to the dog in a sideways stance and then rubbing the dog on its chest.
Many people approach dogs and reach out to pet them on their heads between their ears.
“Believe it or not, that’s the worst way to greet a dog,” Hunt warned as many dogs may feel threatened which could lead to them reacting aggressively such as biting.
Hunt used several photographs of dogs of various breeds in different body stances to teach the class what aggressive signs to look out for when dealing with dogs.
For example, in one photograph, a dog was yawning, which Hunt said is a sign of anxiety, or the dog being nervous.
In another photograph, the dog’s ears were pinned back, indicating another sign of aggression.
Looking at a dog’s eyes is also a necessity when analyzing dog behavior, Hunt said.
When a dog is looking sideways or the whites of its eyes are prominent, that could also be a sign of aggression, she said.
Another photograph showed a dog baring its teeth, which is an indication the dog could be getting ready to bite.
A dog with its tail tucked between its legs and arched back is also a sign of aggression, Hunt said.
Pinning a dog in a small space could also cause nervousness and aggression in a dog, she added.
“The dog has no escape,” Hunt said as she showed the class a photograph of a child pinning a dog against a wall.
Hunt also showed several photographs of dogs lying on their backs.
“Just because your dog flips upside down does not mean he wants to be pet,” Hunt said.
Hunt told the class sometimes a dog is prone to bite a person who pets it when lying down.
In totality, it’s important to “read the entire dog’s body language” while working with it, Hunt said.
Hunt will present a class again on April 27 at the Avon Branch of the Lorain Public Library System in the last of the three-part series.
