Ask before approaching Corewell Health

Even our friendliest friends can get a day off.

The stats have it: Almost 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Many of these accidents can be avoided.

Paying attention to a dog’s cues — and asking the owner before you pet a dog — can reduce the chances of a bite, said Spectrum Health police sergeant. Cooper “Cobb” Watkins, a certified dual-purpose sniffer dog trainer who trains and supervises a team of eight sniffer dogs in Corwell Health West Michigan.

“The golden rule is to ask before you approach,” said Watkins.

An owner knows his dog well, Watkins said, and should let you know if the time is right for an interaction.

You should be aware of certain behaviors or actions when you first approach a dog.

“Maybe the dog is telling you he doesn’t want to be petted right now,” Watkins said. “So, paying attention to body language cues can be very helpful.”

Ask before petting

Always ask permission before approaching or petting a dog, Watkins said.

“In our line of work with professional working dogs,” he said, “I can tell when someone isn’t having a good day.” “And I can tell when he might not want to be a pet. You should always ask first.”

You never know if your dog has had an injury, or if it just isn’t socialized.

“Not every dog ​​is friendly,” he said. “They may look like this from a distance, but once you get inside their bubble, everything can change.”

He said that dogs have a personal space just like humans. You don’t want to enter this space if your dog isn’t ready. An animal may misinterpret a person’s approach and perceive it as a threat.

“Once you have cornered a dog, it would be a last resort for the animal to try and get out of the situation,” he said. “And dogs always use their mouths to show when something isn’t right.”

To help avoid a biting incident, do not allow unsupervised interactions with new dogs.

Warning signs

“I would always say proceed with caution,” said Watkins. “Dogs will give you signs of concern or approval, so it’s always good to be aware.”

He said, you want the dog to approach you first. Even if the owner gives you permission to pet the dog, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the interaction will go well.

If the dog does not want to be touched, it may back away, lean towards its owner, put its ears back, bark, growl, quiver or show its teeth.

“They can’t speak to us in a language we understand, so we need to use our eyes to interpret what they’re trying to tell us,” Watkins said. “If the dog shows you that he is not okay with this, take a moment, take a step back and let the dog come to you.”

The best way to deal

Stand in a non-aggressive manner and let the dog into your space. Don’t push interaction.

“It’s not always safe to reach out,” Watkins said. “Some dogs can see this as a challenge.”

Do not position yourself over the dog’s body, as the animal may perceive this as a sign of dominance.

“Don’t do anything that could be seen as challenging or dominating,” Watkins said. “Treats can be a good introduction, too, if the owner allows and they are part of the interaction — but they differ from dog to dog.”

As a dog owner, there are a few things you can do to prepare your dog for a new interaction.

“I always get my dog ​​to sit first. I give them a command to let them know it’s okay to be a pet first,” he said. “There are things you can do as a pet to make it easier for people by creating routines or rituals that need to be completed before someone can pet them.”

Watch for aggressive dogs

The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Don’t yell or do anything that makes you look aggressive.

“Dogs read body language to us just as we read to them,” Watkins said. “If you look them in the eye, yell or fight, they could see it as a challenge.”

Make slow movements and walk away from the dog.

“Get out of the dog-space and walk away,” Watkins said. “Move slowly and don’t be a bunny.”

Dogs have a natural urge to chase their prey, Watkins said. If you run, the dog will naturally want to chase you. It is a challenge or game based on instinct.

If your dog has been attacked

If your dog meets another dog, don’t jump into the fray.

“There will be a lot of noise and biting if your dog is involved, and if you get in there, you will get bitten,” Watkins said.

You can try distracting the dogs with water if available. Or, if the other dog’s owner is present, you could try pulling the dogs away from each other by his hind legs—but Watkins cautioned against doing it alone.

“Avoid hot areas, including the neck, face, and mouth,” he said. “And do not stand over or hover over dogs, as this may be seen as an act of dominance.”

How to deal with a dog bite

If a dog attacks you, cover your face, neck, and vital organs. Call for help or try to remove yourself from the situation.

“There are aggressive dogs out there, just as there are aggressive people out there,” Watkins said. But most dogs aren’t looking for a fight. Mostly this happens by accident.”

Watkins said being aware of your surroundings can prevent most fights.

“I’ve seen a lot of dog bites happen from someone who stumbles into a dog’s yard, in their yard or field, and catches them off guard,” he said. Watch out for stray dogs when you’re out for a walk. Keep your eyes open and watch out.

Oftentimes, a dog bite happens so quickly that you can do nothing to prevent it.

“Every circumstance is different,” he said. “It can happen with a friend or family neighbor, just as easily as it can happen with a stranger.”

If there was an accident, exchange contact information and ask about the dog’s vaccination history. Dog bites run the risk of infection, so clean the wound and seek necessary medical attention as appropriate.