Page 141 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 8 Restraint of Animals 125

FIGURE 8.8 Nervous dog. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used
under CC‐BY‐SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File:Karelski_pies_na_nied%C5%BAwiedzie_LM.jpg.

FIGURE 8.6 Friendly dog. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under you why.” It is a flat‐out challenge and the dog can either
CC‐BY‐SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Buldog_ accept the challenge or feel threatened by it, both result-
angielsi_671.jpg.
ing in a defensive response! It is very important to deter-
mine the dog’s personality before you approach. For this
we use their body language.

Reflection

Test your field of vision. How wide is your
peripheral vision? How do you think peripheral
vision is a safety mechanism not only for animals
but people too?

The body language between friendly, submissive, ner-
vous or scared, and aggressive dogs is good to learn and
once you get the signals down it gets easier to discern. Of
course, the friendly dog will greet you with tail wagging,
an open mouth, and a happy expression on their face
(Figure 8.6). Submissive dogs may approach you with
their whole body tucked, shoulders hunched, tail held
tightly between their back legs almost curling themselves
in as if to protect their rear ends (which they are), ears
lowered, and a sideways body position to your body
FIGURE 8.7 Submissive or scared dog. Source: Wikimedia Commons. (Figure 8.7). Submissive dogs may whimper and roll on
Used under CC‐BY‐SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ their backs at your feet. A nervous or scared dog will be
File:Alertita.jpg. jumpy, with ears flicking from up to plastered to the side
of their heads. They may be panting and shivering, the
If we approach a dog with our bodies turned full sclera clearly visible around their eyes which they dart
frontal to them and make direct eye contact, this is dog around the room trying to watch everything at once
speak for “I’m the dominant one here and let me show (Figure 8.8). With these dogs, it is easier to push them