Casper the Staffie Cross during a training session.
Students across Northern Ireland have returned to the classroom after the summer break, but new research from Dogs Trust has revealed that the nation should head “Bark to School” for lessons in dog body language, in a bid to reduce the number of dog bites.
Research published today from the charity’s National Dog Survey, which provides insights into over 400,000 of the UK’s dogs and their owners, reveals that 76% of owners are unable to correctly read dog body language, misunderstanding the subtle signs that their pets are stressed or worried.
As most acts of dog aggression, including bites, happen when dogs feel worried, scared or stressed, Dogs Trust believes many dog-related incidents could be prevented if owners can spot the early warning signs that their dogs are distressed - before the situation escalates. This includes recognising subtle changes in body language, such as their ears going back, tension in their body, or their tail tucked under.
Further to this, just 50% of those surveyed said they had taken their dogs to training in the past, with just 6.5% currently taking their pets to training classes.
Dogs Trust runs Dog School classes in Northern Ireland. At these classes, owners learn how to teach their dogs how to meet and greet other dogs politely, walk nicely on the lead, come back when called, overcome chewing and mouthing as well as understand dog body language and what your dog is trying to tell you.
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Some of the body language signs and signals missed the most, according to the National Dog Survey, were:
A common misconception is that a dog rolling over when approached means they want a belly rub. 76% failed to spot that this could mean a dog is feeling uncomfortable or needs space.
Two thirds of those surveyed did not know that yawning can indicate that their dog is worried and needs space.
59% failed to recognise that a dog licking their lips with their ears pulled back means they could be worried and need space, and 53% failed to recognise that a dog licking their lips while turning their head away could also be a sign that a dog is uncomfortable.
Around a third of those surveyed said they thought a wagging tail always means a dog is happy. However, dogs wag their tails for all sorts of reasons - tail movements are a great way to communicate - but they don’t always mean a dog is happy.
This comes at a time when the NHS is seeing a rise in admissions of people with dog related injuries, and rehoming centres, including Dogs Trust Ballymena, are seeing an increase in demand for services as owners look to relinquish their pets.
Since the start of 2024, a quarter of all handover enquiries to the charity from owners mentioned their dog showing unwanted behaviours was a factor in their decision to rehome their dog.
Maria Murray, Associate Director Prevention and Community Engagement at Dog’s Trust, and responsible for overseeing the charity’s Dog School classes, said:
“We’ve seen a huge increase in dog population over the last few years, and around a third of all UK households now own a dog. Along with the growth in ownership, we have also seen a rise in the number of dog bite incidents and injuries, most of which happen within the home involving known dogs.
“As acts of aggression, including bites, are often a response to dogs feeling stressed or anxious, many of these incidents can be avoided if owners can spot the early warning signs that their dog is in distress or uncomfortable and remove their dog from the situation or take steps to prevent things escalating.
“Very often, dog bites in the home are preceded by what can be seen as harmless interactions, such as cuddling, hugging, or kissing the dog. But while we might like these things, our dogs don’t necessarily agree and will try to tell us through their body language.
“Unfortunately, when these signs are missed, it can have a huge impact on all involved, including the dog. Over the last year, we have received over eight thousand calls from owners looking to relinquish their dog due to problem behaviours, and in cases where the worst happens and someone is injured, owners may have to make devastating decision to have their dogs euthanised.”
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