How to Tell the Difference Between Dog Aggression and Playfulness
Every dog has the potential to become aggressive and bite. But more often, dogs are happy and love to play. Unfortunately, sometimes it can be hard to tell a dog’s mood. If you guess wrong, you could end up getting a serious dog bite injury.
That’s why it’s important to understand the difference between a playful dog and an aggressive one. Here are some tips that can help.
Ask the Dog’s Owner
Be aware that dogs are individuals, like people. They might express playfulness or aggression in a way that is different from other dogs. Although the advice below is generally reliable, it’s better to ask someone who really knows the dog, such as their owner. They will be able to tell you if the dog is in a playful mood or if they are being aggressive.
Body Posture
One of the clearest signals from a distance is the dog’s body posture. A dog in a playful mood will have a loose, relaxed body. The dog’s movements will be fluid and often not precisely directed at a single target or focus.
An aggressive dog will have taut muscles, tensed for action. The dog’s joints will be rigid, as the dog is preparing for an attack or defensive action.
Tail Position
Tail position can also be seen from a distance, but it can sometimes be a little confusing. An aggressive dog likely has its tail held high and stiff. Playful dogs are more likely to have their tail in a more relaxed position, possibly wagging.
What makes this difficult to read is that sometimes aggressive dogs can wag their tail a little bit as a warning. Don’t use a little tail wagging as your only evidence that a dog is really playing.
Facial Expression
Facial expressions might not be as easy to read from a distance, but they can give very clear signals. A playful dog is more likely to have relaxed facial muscles. It might look like it’s smiling. The eyes can look smiling. In addition, the ears will be relaxed. They will be more floppy than usual and not directed on a potential threat.
An aggressive dog will have its lips pulled back to bare its teeth. The dog’s ears will be flat against the head. The dog is more likely to be staring directly at a person, animal, or object.
Vocalizations
Listen to the noises the dog is making. These can often clue you in to the dog’s mood. A playful dog might make light, high-pitched barks. It might also give a light growl as it chews or otherwise worries a bone or toy.
An angry or aggressive dog will bark loud and deep. The barking may be continuous. The aggressive dog is also more likely to growl. The growl will be deeper and more constant.
Behaviors
In addition to wagging their tail, a playful dog will likely show a number of friendly behaviors. The dog may do a play bow to invite you to chase. The dog may also roll over, exposing their belly.
An aggressive dog might yawn unexpectedly, which is a way to show off their teeth. The dog may pant.
Watch for Aggression Triggers
In addition to watching the dog’s behaviors, you can try to read the situation to determine if you or your child might be doing something that is triggering aggression in the dog. Dogs often bite because of specific types of aggression that can get triggered by specific situations, such as:
- Territorial aggression: This gets triggered when someone is violating what the dog perceives as its territory. This could be just by entering the house, but it’s more likely to be triggered by entering the dog’s personal space, like its sleeping area.
- Protective aggression: This gets triggered when the dog perceives a threat to itself or a family member.
- Resource guarding: Dogs can get aggressive if someone gets near their food or toys.
- Defensive aggression: Dogs can get aggressive if they feel they are being cornered, trapped, or threatened. Kids who keep pursuing a dog that doesn’t want to play can often trigger this type of aggression.
These are some of the most common types of aggression that people trigger in dogs. To avoid these triggers, give dogs their space and ask a dog’s owner about things that can set them off.
If You Can’t Tell, Steer Clear
Even with all these potential clues, it’s sometimes not easy to tell if a dog is being playful or aggressive. Whenever you’re in doubt, don’t take a risk. Just steer clear of any dog if you don’t know whether it’s being aggressive or playful.
Help with Dog Bite Lawsuits in Denver
Although you should do what you can to avoid contact with an aggressive dog, Colorado law says the dog’s owner is almost always responsible if you or your child experiences a dog bite injury. Experienced Denver dog bite lawyer Brian Pushchak can help you get compensation for the costs of your injuries, as well as compensation for trauma and other noneconomic damages.
Mr. Pushchak has made dog bite lawsuits a central focus of his practice. This specialization helps him build effective strategies to help his clients get the compensation they are owed. Let him help you.
When you work with Pushchak Law, you also benefit from our unique Informed Decisions™ Approach. We start by listening to you so that we understand what’s most important to you. Then we will recommend the best strategies to get the outcomes that you need. We care about matching your outcomes specifically to your goals. We also give you our personal contact information so that you can always reach us when you have questions, concerns, or decisions to make about your case. Your case is always yours. Although we give you the basis of our expertise and experience, you get to make the decisions.
To learn how we can help you and your family after a dog bite attack, please contact Pushchak Law today for a free consultation. We serve clients in Denver and the surrounding areas.
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