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What did you learn that was new to you?
I learned a few things through the online portion and my experimental research of this topic. Firstly, I learned that it is advised to treat a dog a little like a horse in that keeping contact with the animal promotes reassurance and connection between you and the animal. It’s simple but was something I overlooked because of my sustained relationships with familiar dogs. I also learned that its likely better to give a massage to a cat in a cage rather than to force them out in some way or have them be uncomfortable or fearful. I also learned that it is not recommended to give treats, I would have thought the contrary.
How did the dog respond to your approach?
The dog was very receptive to my approach. This was a dog I already have a relationship with and therefore the trust has been built, however I rarely give him commands and he responded quite well. He was happy to have me touch him physically and showed no signs of discomfort or aggression. He seemed very comfortable, happy, and submissive.
What facial expression, postures or gestures did you notice, and how did you interpret them?
The dog went from quite excited to calm and curious during my interaction. He seemed to be quite excited to be receiving commands at the beginning. He also perhaps thought he was going to get a snack. After asking him to sit, he looked very intently at me with ears and mouth forward, nearly begging. He laid down upon command and I approached him, making slow contact on his shoulder. He began to wag his tail and his ears went back slightly. It seemed he was showing signs of a respectful submission. He leaned over, exposing more of his belly, furthering the signs of submission.
If you are experienced in canine behavior and handling, what aspects of the material do you feel are most essential?
I believe the safety of the animal and the human are most important. Precautionary measures are very important to learn. Ways of reading the animal and learning to be patient and gentle with the animal is crucial for both the safety of both parties. Allowing the animal to come to you and reducing the stress of both the handler and the animal are crucial for a successful massage.
Do you have a story about an experience with behavior and handling that exemplifies the importance of proper equipment and handling?
I went to a friends house the other day and they have a 12 year old female pit bull named Ginger. Ginger is elderly and has severe hip dysplasia which impacts her mood and how she interacts with humans and animals. Ginger is generally defensive towards new people. When I entered the residence for the first time, Ginger began to bark. I continued to chat with the owner and ignored Ginger’s barks. After a few minutes had passed, I said hello to Ginger and approached her at the barrier where she was. I avoided direct eye contact and allowed Ginger to smell me. Ginger settled and before long I was able to pet Ginger no problem, in fact she continued to approach me for attention. Gingers guardian proceeded to tell me that Ginger doesn’t usually like new people and it can take her months to get comfortable with someone new. She was very impressed by our interaction. I believe through using respect, leadership, kindness, and gentleness, I was able to gain Gingers trust relatively quickly.
How has knowing how to read dog behavior kept you and the dog(s) safe?
I am very comfortable at reading dog behavior and act accordingly. If a dog has an overtly defensive or offensive nature, I will generally ignore the dog. This shows the dog that I am not a threat and reduces aggressive behavior. If a dog acts extremely defensive after a certain interaction, it is an indication that the dog has mental or physical trauma around an aspect of the interaction. I note this immediately and change my behavior accordingly to reduce the stress on the animal. If an animal is showing signs of severe stress, I either alert their guardian and advise they seek medical attention if needed, or take them to the vet myself if applicable.