I volunteer at a dog shelter in Germany and regularly help by taking the dogs for walks. Recently, I walked a dog that had arrived from Ukraine and had already been living at the shelter for several months.
She has an important behavioural pattern. She approaches people on her own, seeks closeness and appears affectionate. However, when a person starts petting her, she may bite.
This situation reminded me once again how important it is to understand dog body language. A dog approaching a person does not automatically mean that the dog wants to be touched.
Why does a dog approach but not want to be petted?
A dog may seek closeness, safety or social contact while still feeling uncomfortable with physical touch. Leaning over the dog, raising a hand above its head, making direct eye contact or touching it unexpectedly can feel threatening.
When we observe this particular dog carefully, we can see a clear sequence. First, she approaches the person. As soon as the person leans over her, raises a hand or starts touching her head, she quickly turns her head away.
A dog turning its head away is an important calming signal
Many people do not notice when a dog turns its head away. However, this behaviour can be one of the calming signals in dogs.
The dog may be communicating:
- “I feel uncomfortable”;
- “Please stop”;
- “I do not want conflict”;
- “I need more space”;
- “Please give me more time”.
The concept of canine calming signals is widely associated with the work of Norwegian dog trainer and author Turid Rugaas. Turning the head away, licking the nose, yawning, slowing down and avoiding direct eye contact may all occur when a dog is trying to reduce tension.
What warning signs can appear before a dog bite?
A bite is rarely the first signal. Before biting, a dog will often communicate discomfort in quieter and less obvious ways.
- turning the head or body away;
- licking the nose when no food is present;
- yawning in a stressful situation;
- pinning the ears back;
- moving away or trying to hide;
- freezing;
- closing the mouth and becoming physically tense;
- showing the whites of the eyes;
- growling, snapping or making a warning lunge.
Freezing before a dog bite is especially important to recognise. When a dog suddenly stops moving, becomes stiff and fixes its gaze, the interaction should stop immediately.
Why does a dog bite when being petted?
We do not know exactly what this dog experienced in the past. A hand moving above her head may be associated with something unpleasant. However, it is important not to assume that every dog showing this behaviour has been abused.
The reaction may also be caused by fear, physical pain, sensitivity to touch, over-arousal, lack of previous handling or feeling trapped without a way to move away.
The most important point is that the dog is trying to communicate before the situation escalates.
What should you do when a dog turns away or becomes tense?
- stop petting the dog;
- do not lean over it;
- move your hand away and turn your body slightly to the side;
- allow the dog to create distance;
- do not restrain the dog;
- do not punish growling;
- consult a veterinarian and a qualified behaviour professional if the behaviour continues.
Growling is a warning signal, not simply “bad behaviour”. Punishment may not remove the underlying fear. Instead, it may teach the dog to stop warning before it bites.
Dogs communicate with us all the time
People often notice only the final reaction: a bite, growl or sudden lunge. However, the dog has usually shown several earlier signs of stress, fear or a need for more distance.
Learning to read canine body language is essential for responsible dog owners, shelter volunteers, dog sitters and trainers.
For owners looking for a dog trainer, personal dog trainer or dog training in Unterschleißheim and Munich, understanding canine communication is an important part of creating a safe and relaxed everyday life.
Dogs are communicating with us constantly. The question is whether we are paying attention.
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