Dog Behavior Training Body Language

Dog Behavior Training - Editors Note

An important part of dog behavior training involves being able to read your dogs body language. Professional Dog Trainer Adam Katz shares some valuable tips on what to look for. -- Dick Colman


Body Language Before Your Dog Bites...
by Adam G. Katz

Dear Adam:
After catching up on doggy email, Ive noticed your reference to submissive posture. Your book helped more than a professional trainer I hired for my adopted Golden. We went through biting and dominance issues. The problem I am having now is I still do not trust him 100%. When he bit there really wasnt any sign it was coming (that I noticed). Even now, the only sign that he doesnt like something is a lowered head and sometimes a low growl (the groomer told me this). This dog growls sometimes when he is happy. It is almost like someone taught him not to make any other noise in doors. Outside he will bark. I guess the big question is how do you read a dogs face, body, etc.?

Thanks,
Mark

Dear Mark,
Its a tough situation youve got. Youve really got to just pay close attention to the dog at any time you suspect she may display the aggression. The most common indicators that I used when working with clients who had aggressive dogs was to watch:

1. The mouth. A dog will always pull has mouth closed tight just before he bites.

2. Body language. The dogs body language will get stiff and still just before he bites. Especially watch the stillness. Its very subtle, but at the same time very noticeable once you train your eye to look for it.

There are other things that you could look for depending on the dog and the type of aggression. However, you need to recognize that there are ALWAYS cues... its just a matter of whether we are quick enough (or aware enough) to catch them.

To read more of my dog behavior training ramblings, read about my book: Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!

Adam G. Katz
Dog Behavior Training Specialist

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9 20 Surgery Update and Upper Body Rehab Work

So I had successful distal bicep reattachment procedure on my left bicep Thursday, Sept. 17. The surgery was performed by Dr. Steven Dailey w/ OIP, a specialist in upper extremity orthopedic procedures...the procedure was a single-incision endobutton repair.

My arm is currently in a hinged brace, locked at 90 degrees at least until my first post-op in a week. However, the extension setting is at 70 degrees, and I was told I can unlock the brace and work on extending my arm. Since ive been going to 70 degrees extension for 2 days pain free, and since I can extend it farther pain-free when the brace is off for showering, Ive taken the liberty of increasing the extension stop from 70 to 50.

Starting Sunday, Ive instituted the following rehab protocol to attempt to avoid upper body muscle atrophy. My goal is to maintain as much tricep and shoulder size & strength as possible...I know full well that I am going to lose bicep size & strength since I wont be able to do any direct bicep strength training for at least 6 weeks.

I will be performing the following 3X a day until my first pre-op, as well as doing some upper body machine strength work every day Im in the gym. I hope to be back to handling heavy weight on machine pressing & shoulder movements within 2-3 weeks to avoid atrophy.

Banded tricep extension x 100 reps (started w/ light theraband, will progress gradually)
Side delt raises x 50 reps (no weight)
Rear delt raises x 50 reps (no weight)
Front delt raises x 50 reps (no weight)

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