Tag: lunging

Dog Behaviour, Pain and behaviour

Mediator Dogs: Often vital but misunderstood

Joanne Hinds

In group settings, some dogs naturally fall unto the role of mediator. These are the dogs who step in when arousal runs too high, trying to keep things calmer and safer for everyone. They often look like the “fun police”, breaking up the party.

Sadly, they are often misunderstood. Instead of being recognised for their role, they are seen as disruptive and may even be asked to leave day care or a dog walking group. But what looks like “problem behaviour” can actually be a dog working hard to regulate the group.

What mediator dogs are (and are not)

  • They are not the same as fearful or anxious dogs who hide, snap defensively, or struggle to cope nor those whose subtle signals may have been missed over time and are using growling snapping or biting as a defensive mechanism.
  • They maybe the ones who chase the dog that is chasing the ball, not for the ball but in an attempt to slow the dog down when arousal is running high.
  • They might bark at a dog that hasn’t responded to subtler signals when they have had enough but are otherwise very sociable with dogs.
  • They may break up rough or high speed play by barking, intercepting or chasing the players.
  • They sometimes step in during human to human embraces or energetic contact, barking or wedging themselves between people. Often labelled as “jealousy” it is more likely the dog perceives there is potential conflict arising. Dogs do not embrace the way we do, so a hug can be misread as conflict.

Important to rule out first:

Of course if a dog is acting completely out of character and there has been no build up, it is always important to rule out anything physical. When dogs become less tolerant of certain types of interaction such as other dogs sniffing their back end or approaching their head, its vital to first consider discomfort.

  • Interestingly I am often contacted about these behaviours around the age of 2 or 3, when dogs mature but at this time growth plates have generally closed which can highlight discomfort.
  • Joint pain, impacted anal glands (often linked to gut health), or teeth, or ear pain can be just some of the reasons that a dog may have become more irritable or defensive.
  • These factors need ruling out before we assume the behaviour is purely about group dynamics.

Things to consider if you live with, socialise with or work with groups of dogs

Some dogs who attend group walks with other owners, dog walkers or day care from a young age naturally shift into this role as they mature. It may be a progression of personality to manage conflict or arousal, or it may be that they have tolerated things for a long time and finally reached a tipping point.

Instead of automatically excluding dogs who act this way (depending on the severity of the reaction of course), it can help to pause and ask what they might be communicating:

  • Is the group often becoming overstimulated?
  • Could their “Stress bucket” be full from other factors, like a rushed vehicle journey, lack of proper rest, rushed walks with very little processing?
  • Has this behaviour cropped up with other dogs in the group before?

If a dogs has been labelled as disruptive or you notice these patterns it does not mean they are badly behaved, they may be signalling stress, frustration or simply working hard to regulate the group. Acting as the referee too often can build stress over time and escalate into growling, snapping and lunging.

Is there science behind it?

While “mediator dog” isn’t a scientific label, the concept is supported by ethnological research:

  • Third party intervention (“policing”) has been documented in wolves and primates, where individuals step in to prevent conflict. Some studies suggest domestic dogs do something similar.
  • Play research shows dogs adapt their play signals depending on their partner’s responses, showing awareness of group dynamics.
  • Conflict management is recognised across species, where individuals actively prevent or resolve tension.

Some dogs and their wild relatives, like wolves, have been shown under certain conditions to make up after conflict, comfort each other and get help from a third dog to calm things down, especially if they’re very social.

Of course, many factors can drive behaviour and a full behavioural assessment may be needed to untangle the picture for an individual dog. But by recognising the possible role of mediator dogs, we can better support them, appreciate the work they are doing and create safer, calmer group environments.

If you would like to chat with me or get support with your dog or puppy book in a call with me below.

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Labrador being held in a standing position by a man in a blank and white checked shirted
Dog Behaviour

Did you know the fear response ‘flirting’ is frequently confused with over exuberant behaviour in dogs?

Joanne Hinds

“Flirting,” also referred to as fawning, is when the brain responds to fear by attempting to appease the person or situation causing the fear, in an effort to avoid conflict.

These dogs and puppies are often excessively jumping up at visitors or lunging when walking pass people or dogs on walks. Along with this behaviour there can sometimes be nipping, humping, repetitive licking, ears back and panting, with the dog generally restless and not able to relax in people’s or dogs presence.

You may find you are out with a group of people with their dogs and your dog spends most of their time jumping up at the other people and you, avoiding interacting with the other dogs. This maybe an indication that the dog is feeling uncomfortable with the dogs presence and is looking for a way out of the situation or is trying to avoid conflict. You see the jumping up more towards the other people in the group particularly when the dogs care giver, has wanted to socialise their dog and the dog has wanted to move away but the signals have been missed in the past.

Sadly these behaviours are often punished as jumping up is usually frowned upon, as it can be frustrating for the care givers, particularly when it’s visitors or strangers because it is embarrassing and of course it can put people at risk of getting hurt, depending on the size of the dog. 

You might have worked at asking for sit at the door or when greeting people and it has never worked because sitting is a vulnerable position to be in when you are uncomfortable. It is like putting a lid on a boiling pot, you can get more over the top behaviour when released, as a forced sit is not a relaxing behaviour,  it causes more tension. 

Telling off can then exacerbate an already uncomfortable dog. The dog gets more stressed in the situation because their care givers are agitated, which then increases the dog behaviour further, with the dogs desperate attempts to prevent more conflict, creating a “vicious circle”.

Red and white small dog looking up towards the camera with a finger in the frame depicting the dog being told off

You can often see excessive friendliness when visiting the vets, as a fear response to being examined or due to sensing the other animals fear in the surgery.

There is no difference between dogs who use flirting, aggressive behaviour, cowering trying to hide or are frozen when scared, they all need the same support. 

These dogs generally need space. You need to work at distances that the dogs can relax, being headed at can make dogs uncertain and you will see some subtle signals way before they start jumping up, like suddenly sniffing the ground. You know when you see someone in a shop and you think ‘oh no they will keep me here for ages’, so you try not to make eye contact reading anything close by even if its a bag of frozen peas! This is similar to what you see in dogs trying to avoid people or dogs that are approaching, as they get closer you then see the flirting behaviour.

Letting them observe from a distance they can relax will help them process and feel more comfortable, often these dogs just have not had enough time to process calmly the things around them or have had strangers heading at them to stroke them as puppies so preempt people are going to come and man handle them. 

Dogs like this need a safe space away from visitors and to be taught how to relax in the space, trusting they will not get approached or bothered there. The visitors also need to be aware to keep their hands off and prevent staring at the dog, giving them complete space so the dog is able to relax in their presence and approach in a calmer state if they wish too. But depending on the dog, the visitor still needs avoid interaction giving the dog space.

Small white dog lying in grey bed with giraffe print lining, with a green blanket.

If they are not supported this behaviour can eventually lead to them resorting to growling, barking, snapping and biting to increase distance. This is why when I work with adult dog cases that are using what we label as ‘aggressive behaviours’, the clients often tell me the dog used to be all over people when they were puppies, they would be jumping up constantly and then rolling on their back (another conflict avoiding signal). These are dogs who have had their message over looked and misinterpreted.

One last reason that you may see the fawning or flirting response is avoidance of being touched or approached due to discomfort from an underlying condition. As we know dogs are stoic and it is sometimes very hard to diagnose discomfort and pain even in a veterinary situation, which is why a full consultation or dynamic dog assessment is usually required. 

Of course like any behaviour in dogs we observe, observe, observe. This is just one area that I feel should be reconsidered, when you see what looks like an over excited, excessively friendly, totally barmy dog. It might simply be them looking for help and a way out of a stressful situation.

“First seek to understand before expecting to be understood.”

If you would like to chat with me or get support with your dog or puppy book in a call with me below.

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Dog Behaviour

Rethinking Dog Socialisation

Joanne Hinds

There is a strong expectation in society that dogs should get along with every dog they meet.

Many people believe that socialisation means exposing puppies and dogs to as many other dogs as possible puppy parties, dog meet-ups, dog walkers and lots of time playing in parks.

The idea is that the more dogs they meet, the better socialised they will be.

But the reality is far more complex than that.

Dogs are individuals. Just like people, they have preferences, personalities and limits. Some enjoy interacting with lots of dogs, others prefer a small circle of familiar companions, and some simply aren’t that interested in socialising with unfamiliar dogs at all.

Unfortunately, the pressure we place on dogs to interact with every dog they meet can sometimes create the very problems we are trying to avoid.

Every Dog’s Experience of Socialisation Is Different

You could take five puppies to the same socialisation class and each one could have a completely different experience.

That experience depends on many factors:

  • their general emotional state
  • how they felt on the day
  • the behaviour of the other dogs
  • how their guardian handled the interaction
  • the guardian’s emotional state
  • whether anything startled them during the session
  • stress they may have experienced in the days beforehand

All of these things influence how a dog learns to feel about other dogs.

Two dogs can leave the same class with completely different feelings about social interaction.

The “Let Them Sort It Out” Myth

One piece of advice that still circulates widely is that dogs should simply be left to “sort it out themselves”.

In my experience, this can be hugely unfair, especially for puppies who are still learning about the world of dogs and the many different breeds and personalities they might encounter.

If a puppy repeatedly goes to the park and has unpleasant or overwhelming interactions, they are unlikely to grow up feeling relaxed around other dogs.

Using older dogs to “teach puppies manners” can also be problematic. Older dogs may be in pain, may have less energy, or simply may not want to interact anymore. Expecting them to constantly correct younger dogs puts them in a difficult position.

And what about the dog who has previously been attacked? Should they simply be expected to tolerate another dog charging up to them and ignoring their signals?

What I Often See in Parks

As a dog trainer and behaviourist working one-to-one with clients, I spend a lot of time in places where dogs and their guardians socialise.

This might be local parks such as St Mary’s Park, woodland walks, busy places like Ruislip Lido or Rickmansworth Aquadrome, country parks such as Black Park, Langley Park and Denham Country Park, large green spaces like Horsenden Hill, or simply everyday walks around the block.

One thing that becomes very clear is that there is a huge and varied dog-owning community.

But I also regularly see dogs who run up to every dog they encounter, whether that dog is on lead or off lead. These dogs are often highly aroused and may struggle to read other dogs’ body language.

Sometimes they bark in another dog’s face, repeatedly try to initiate interaction, or continue pestering even when the other dog is trying to disengage.

Often these dogs genuinely want to interact they just haven’t learned how to do so in a way that other dogs find comfortable.

When Dogs Feel Pressured to Socialise

When a dog feels overwhelmed or pressured during interactions, they will often try to diffuse the situation rather than escalate it.

Many guardians mistake these behaviours as signs that the dog is relaxed or playful, when in reality they can be signs of appeasement or stress.

Some examples include:

Fawning behaviours

  • Rolling onto their back
  • Excessive licking of another dog’s face
  • Crouching or lowering their body
  • Rapid tail wagging with a tense body

These behaviours are often attempts to signal “I’m not a threat” or “please don’t hurt me.”

Fooling about behaviours

Some dogs will suddenly become very silly or exaggerated in their movements bouncing, spinning, or acting overly playful. While this can sometimes look funny or entertaining to us, it can actually be a way of diffusing tension in a situation they find uncomfortable.

Dogs are incredibly skilled at trying to avoid conflict.

But if these signals are repeatedly ignored, the dog may eventually feel they have no option but to escalate to growling, barking or snapping.

When Dogs Try to Disengage

Dogs will often try to politely opt out of an interaction before things escalate.

They might:

  • look away
  • turn their body away
  • walk away
  • start sniffing the ground
  • move behind their guardian

These are all ways of saying “I’m not interested right now.” Or they are indicating for the other a dog to approach calmer.

If another dog continues to pursue them, that interaction can quickly become stressful.

In these situations it’s absolutely okay to increase distance and continue walking. You can also ask the other guardian to call their dog.

Advocating for your dog is part of keeping them safe.

Why Street Dogs Inspired This Blog

One reason I wanted to write this blog is the increasing number of street dogs I now see as clients.

Many of these dogs previously lived on the streets, where being able to communicate effectively with other dogs is essential for survival. Injuries or illness could be life-threatening, so avoiding conflict becomes incredibly important.

As a result, many street dogs are excellent communicators. They are often very skilled at reading subtle body language and defusing situations early.

When these dogs arrive here, they can initially find some of our pet dogs confusing and over stimulated, particularly those who rush over without reading signals.

This can sometimes make the street dog appear unsociable, when in reality they are simply navigating a very different social environment.

What I Encourage Instead

The interactions I aim for with the clients I work with are simple and relaxed.

Dogs approach, exchange information, have a brief sniff and then continue their walk.

Short, polite interactions.

Much like how we might briefly say hello to a neighbour as we pass them on the street.

Standing in a group in the middle of a park while dogs interact for long periods can often lead to rising arousal levels. When you step back and observe closely, you will often notice that at least one dog would actually prefer to move on.

Exploring the environment, sniffing and moving through the world at their own pace is often far more enriching for dogs than extended social interactions.

Want to Learn More About Play?

Dog play is a huge topic in itself, and understanding what healthy play looks like can make a big difference.

I’ve written a separate blog that explores dog play in more detail, including what to watch for and when to interrupt.

Dog play: Do you know what warning signs to watch out for?

A Simple Goal

Short.

Polite.

Relaxed interactions.

That’s what most dogs actually need..

If you would like to chat with me or get support with your dog or puppy book in a call with me below.

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