Why All Dogs Can Bite and How to Reduce the Risk with R E A D #25

[@annfry9072]

There are so many great gems in this podcast! Advocate for your dog. Never assume that any dog is good with kids. Ask a better question to get a better answer. Learn how to READ your dog. Believe your dog. Do not ever discipline your dog for growling, instead thank them for the appropriate communication, remember to protect their voice.

[@vinceking7651]

This would be a great example for the general public who have no idea. I have had this happen to me on many occasions. I had a lady say look at the doggy and she pushed her buggy straight at my dog with two excited children and my dog barked. Doesn't help when I have a German Shepherd.

[@rosieleat6868]

I adopted my almost son in laws cavoodle . I have walked her since a pup and I just love her. She has some very strange growling issues. She will growl at me but cuddle up to me at the same time and lick me. The growl is real though. She doesn’t like having her ears or her paws or tail touched. She also growls when I tell her to go in her crate. She growls when I dry her after a bath. She growls if she is on the bed at night and I stroke her. But in the morning she is fine. I have had her for seven months now - she turned three a few months ago. My almost son in law loved her but he would lock her in the crate and cover her up if she snapped at him. I don’t think he realised that she was just trying to communicate. It is a puzzle to me and I am not sure what to do so I just say it’s fine, it’s okay, and I do a big breath and a wasa! That always calms her down a lot but she confused - we both are! Most of the time we have a blast together but I am going to get professional help when I have saved enough just to understand what is going on. She follows me everywhere like a shadow and goes bonkers if I am away. I have only left her for one hour in seven months - at this point I don’t know who’s separation anxiety is worse - hers or mine!

[@ryankelly9167]

I’m learning more every day. I honestly did not know that disciplining my dog for growling at a kid was a bad thing. Thanks again for these videos. ❤

[@victorialatavish4266]

Thank you so much for stating that it took you two years to condition your dog around children. I have an 18 mo old GSD that is highly dog reactive. I have been to a trainer and I have been reading and consuming every youtube video on helping reactive dogs and they don't ever state how long it actually takes. Knowing that it took you - a professional trainer - 2 years lets me know I am on the right track. I will have a lot more patience now with my dog knowing he is progressing well.

[@lynne-sheltiesrock2322]

* * * * * Awesome advice and super safety tips from Susan (as always!) No matter how friendly any dog seems to you, be wary of the owner's opinion of whether their dog is going to be safe for YOUR child to pet at that moment. Despite clear instructions, small children can be very unpredictable. Kids might suddenly grab a dog to give him a hug or a kiss in the face, which might be fine with their own dog at home, not so good with dog that isn't used to that. As a trainer and former boarding kennel manager/groomer, I can't tell you how many times after a bite or a near miss I've heard the owner say, "Oh, I'm so sorry! He never did THAT before!"

[@windywilliamson5069]

As a SD handler you always have to advocate and look out for your dog, because people & especially children are sometimes irresponsible around SDs , or just dogs in general. I do work with my dog by loud noises & I pull on them like a kid might do, reward them for not biting, but you just never know. So my rule is no touch when she is wearing a harness, they are working, and always try to keep eyes in the back of your head because you never know when someone will try and interact with my dog. When she is not in uniform I keep her calm when children are around and supervised. My first standard poodle got running around excited and nibbed my grandchild.

[@kellyjohnson7455]

I love these podcasts. As a Recaller Alumni these podcasts are really helping me put it all together . Well done Susan. You just keep getting better and better every year at putting things in a way to help me better understand my dog. I would love to hear your thoughts on a small dog that barks when he hears voices (especially) or new noises outside when he is inside.

[@lirilane5190]

Thank you for highlighting this. People need to know more about this! :D

[@dogsrgodsspelledbackwards3340]

Awesome Susan. I am like you in the kids and dogs area. Why on earth do we continue to hear stories about dogs that bite out of nowhere ? it wasn’t out of nowhere. We failed to READ our dogs . Thanks for another great podcast.

[@lisasteinhauer1328]

This is a podcast everyone should listen to. Great information to help prevent children from getting bit by a dog. Thank you for the valuable information.

[@ammi_10]

I have been teaching my 3 year old grand daughter to read my dog's TEMP. She's able to tell me what she's seeing so I know she's understanding. 🙂 Both my dogs are adults that I have only had a short time so I am extra vigilant especially when we are out in public when people ask to pet them. I have observed that there are certain kids they are more comfortable with and others they are wary of and it seems to be the energy level they sense.

[@jessicajarsak7812]

Yes, same with my girls. The calm ones my girls like better. And I’m so glad you’re teaching your kids how to interact and watch for body language. Good job!

[@sarahmcquaid7676]

I am absolutely floored at your ability to communicate this wealth of information so clearly! Also I had a fantastic time listening! Thank you!

[@DogsThat]

@sarahmcquaid7676 Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words 💚! We're grateful for you. (Julie - DogsThat Team)

[@wendydaniel6857]

I love your clips, Susan. You’re so thorough!

[@erinlecavalier1870]

Can you please do a KZbin/Podcast that helps people teach our dogs to be okay with children? (Condition them) I have a 4 year old toddler who I’ve taught to leave our English Cocker alone because she is anxious and uncomfortable around kids. BUT it is very hard to keep this up because we all live in the same house and my toddler doesn’t always listen. Our dog lets us know when she is uncomfortable by growling. Any guidance would be SO appreciated!! We’re able to put lots of time into training. I LOVE your podcast by the way! It has been an awesome experience for my whole family listening and learning! Thank you!

[@DogsThat]

Hi Erin, and thank you! Susan did a podcast on dogs and children a while back, here's the link for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faqngZykZ8uNY9E

[@kayrosswog7572]

Loving these podcasts! I watch then listen again in the car. Today I put this one on in the car a 3rd time since I was chauffeuring hubby to his ortho appointment. I’m driving so I get to pick what we listen to and this episode is one I wanted him to hear with the first grand baby on the way. Rigby and Callie have not had much exposure to children and I want hubby to be realize that just because he thinks things will be ok we need to always be aware and set them up for success. Thank you Susan for giving me a way to capture his attention!!!😘

[@debbiegoodman5174]

Your podcast are so informative with good reminders for dog owners. Lead the way Susan

[@ndbyers23]

Great topic. This video has given me a lot to think about, not with any children, but with my dogs interacting with my cats. They are such different creatures and some of their body language is completely opposite. Tails wagging. My puppy loves to use her front legs to play with other dogs (sighthound) So when my puppy would inevitably try her front leg pawing, my cat would swipe out either his front paw. Not in play but in warning. And my pup thinks yes he is playing with me!!! And it just escalates. And tails-Geeze how can their tails be more different. So thank you for this video for both reminding me of the signs with dogs and kids, but also how this video can also apply to dog :: (insert other species) ❤

[@DE-ss5ks]

Excellent podcast, Susan. I've certainly shared this on our site.

[@KatherineAnnabella]

Soooooo important for dog parents. Pls share on social media

[@kyote_unleashed]

essential information!

[@TheKak933]

Everyone should listen to this video

[@philcarr7015]

I would like to see that study done about people's sweat and how it affects dogs behavior. I had a friend who had a dog that couldn't be around anyone. Just a mean dog that bit his owner in the face.

[@HilaryMosedale]

Thank you for this. My dog Dotty will bite me sometimes and it is difficult to understand why as most of the time she is really ok. Would love a podcast on what to do to help her with this

[@diannerogers8707]

Thanks so much for this one!!

[@DogsThat]

Thank you for watching

[@jessicajarsak7812]

What do you do if a dog growls and jumps at the same time? At a grown person or child? I had my girl on a double leash clipped to the front and back of the harness so she couldn’t reach anyone but it was embarrassing and kind of scary and I actually caught her and held her mouth and said no and cthen put her in a sit and a down and then had the same person toss treats to her and then she was fine. I think he scared her some how or she felt boxed in for a sec that scared her. After that, I started playing the search game and she was fine, ignoring people and focusing on me and the next treat. In tractor supply. It was an employee she wanted to growl and jump at but I prevented. And then he saw how good she was at catching tossed treats. We were able to pass people without any barking or anything and she was focused on me and the treats. We had a gap between me and the next person in line while we played search and I also periodically had her sit and then walk and then sit. She gets really excited, a little nervous so she didn’t quite sit every time I asked so we have to work on conditioning. I will try a head halter and eventually when I can I’ll either try to make a vinyl muzzle or buy one for peace of mind, with a great hole to be able to play the game and take treats. I got another head halter while there since I misplaced the other one. And also asked for big boxes to make dog beds out of. The next time, we’ll start off with the search game. What else do I do differently to help her be more comfortable and confident around different people? And how to teach her what I want her to do when she gets scared instead of reacting? I’m trying so hard to improve and watch and help my dogs. And thank you for the guidance on how to interact with kids when I have my dogs. I have to make sure I bring treats each time I have any of my dogs with me.

[@sharonreilly1856]

Thank you for this information. So helpful.

[@DogsThat]

Glad it was helpful, Sharon, thank you for commenting!

[@indythedancinghovawart4883]

I wish I watched this episode earlier. :( I disciplined my dog several times for growling at children, and I had no idea that this was not the proper thing to do. I was completely embarrassed, especially that he even snapped in the air once, right at the face of a toddler. This was very surprising as I have three children and he loves them very much, and we have never had any issues before. I have been counterconditioning ever since, and I hope I did not make things worse with my bad reaction.

[@carolr8672]

How aboutdogs that want to bite adults that put a hand out towards them? I am learning to say My dog is anxious with strangers.

[@attheranch873]

My dog is like that too and it’s a problem. People don’t always listen.

[@IsabelSBazan]

How are the puppies doing 😍?

[@RaptorsGirl]

Awesome Isabel thank you for asking! Two weeks old and starting to be more entertaining!