Again, this may appear like a harmless interaction between a child and a dog.
In reality, the child is in a very controlling and confrontational pose with the dog. Directly in front of the dog, has one hand placed on top of the head, his head is then on top of that hand.
The dog is fully enclosed at the front and this can create feelings of being trapped, anxiety and wanting to get away.
If the dog did not react or struggle at the time, it does not mean the interaction was enjoyed.
Some dogs when coming out of a situation like this may begin to distrust children. So the next time a child approaches they may grumble or back away…..because they will be worried this will happen again.
Some dogs may start jumping up, grabbing clothes, doing the zoomies etc….this is not a display of happiness, it is overwhelm and a release of cortisol.
Our Responsibility
Children rarely mean harm, but they lack the intuition to read canine body language. It is our job to advocate for our dogs and teach children that respect and space are the truest forms of kindness. It is not the dogs’ responsibility to do that!
Let’s keep children safe and our dogs comfortable. Love doesn’t always need a hug – sometimes it just needs a little breathing room.
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