Body Handling

Appropriate body handling is essential in building a trusting relationship with the dogs in our care.

Reading his body language is key. Watch for subtle signs of discomfort and change what you’re doing before he feels the need to communicate more forcefully.

Pay attention to your body language too. Direct eye contact, facing the dog and leaning over him can be intimidating and should be avoided. Video: What Can Your Body Communicate to Your Pet? (Fear Free Happy Homes)

Give the dog agency to build trust. Allow him to opt out or say “not now”. Remember the adage Good Dogs Say No. We often assume that dogs should simply comply with whatever we want, but that’s not the key to developing trust and partnership. Dogs deserve to have control over what happens to them, just as we do. Respect his wishes! You can try again later, but never force or lure a dog who asks for physical space.

Restraining or handling the dog in a confined area can increase his discomfort. Allow him room to move away to feel more comfortable. Doorways, narrow hallways, and tight spaces between furniture are common pinch points to avoid.

Greeting a New Dog

This dog is a stranger to you, and you to him. Just like we humans have personal space “bubbles”, so do dogs. The less we know someone, the more space we’re likely to want between us. Watch your new dog’s body language for signs of discomfort, and adjust your behavior accordingly. Early warning signs such as ears pulled back, lip licking, yawning, shaking off, and subtly retreating or turning away are his way of saying “You’re in my bubble, please give me room”. The more agency you give the dog over their own body and space, the more you give him reason to trust you.

Treat/Retreat Game

This is a great way to engage with a new dog who may be uncertain about greeting. Sit or stand quietly, and allow him to approach you or look at you. When he does, drop a treat at his feet. When he’s eaten, toss another treat away from you, behind him. This takes the spatial pressure off and allows him to “retreat” before choosing whether or not to approach again. A good ratio is three tosses away to one treat dropped near you. To avoid luring him past his comfort zone, drop or toss the treat to him instead of forcing him to approach you to get the treat. If he comes all the way up to you, you might put the treat on your shoe, or on your knee. Treat/retreat is a way to pair treats with your presence (new person + treats = good stuff) without forcing the dog to engage with you.

Consent Testing

Consent testing is our way of asking the dog if they want physical affection, how much, and what kind. This gives the dog control over his body, increases trust, and reduces the risk of an early misunderstanding between you and the dog.

Use “how to greet a dog” body language.

  • Make a hand available to the dog, but don’t reach toward the dog. If he eagerly approaches you, gently stroke his chest or shoulder 2-3 times, then quietly withdraw your hand and watch what he does. If he leans closer, nudges your hand, or initiates contact with you, great! He’d like a little more petting.
  • If he stands still or looks away, he’s unsure. Give him some time to decide.
  • If he turns his head or body, walks away, or shows signs of stress, he’s saying “no more for now, thanks”.
  • Repeat this process even when he says “yes”. His acceptance and desires for petting and touch may differ from day to day, and each time you give him a choice, you strengthen the idea that you can be trusted.
  • Remember that a dog who approaches may not be asking for physical contact. Give him plenty of opportunity to make his wishes clear.

Areas of Sensitivity

Many dogs are uncomfortable about having one or more areas of their body touched. The most common areas of sensitivity are paws, ears, mouth, top of the head, face, belly, and tail. The dog may have pain or discomfort in one or more of these areas, have had a bad experience with handling in the past, or was just never properly socialized as a puppy to human touch. Never touch the dog in a way that he finds uncomfortable.

First, rule out a medical reason for the sensitivity. If avoidance is due to a physical issue, such as a sore ear, treating this will be the first priority.

Teaching the dog to accept handling with desensitization. If no medical component exists, gradually pairing touch with super yummy treats will help him learn that handling in this area isn’t scary, after all.

Collars & Harnesses

There are several reasons dogs may be uncomfortable with collars and harnesses, including body sensitivity, unfamiliarity of equipment, having had bad experiences in the past, or simply being uncomfortable with restraint. If your dog is fearful or hesitant with things like collars, harnesses and leashes, go slow! Rushing the process in an attempt to “just get him over it” will backfire, and he’ll be more reluctant to trust you with this and other new things in the future. Patience always pays off!

Additional Resources

Watch these videos for more insight

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