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Taking a curved route when walking towards your dog

Walking towards your dog, taking a curved route rather than a straight approach, is a nice thing you can do for him or her in your everyday life together. 

Why would we do that?

Dogs have a preference for non-direct approaches. Going straight up to another dog (i.e. direct route, body orientated straight-on, face to face) is generally not the way dogs go about things.

Dogs who possess competent canine social skills, when going about their business, will communicate lack of intent towards those around them through the use of the direction they walk, the way they orientate their bodies relative to others, lack of direct eye contact etc. In addition, should socially competent dogs want to engage in a greeting, it will be a reciprocal arrangement involving curved/indirect approaches.
If a dog is being aggressive or a dog wants to intimidate another dog that's when they are likely to use a direct approach. Alternatively, a dog may be over-excited and not have the social skills to put curves into their approach or body.

Does it matter then if we humans use curved approaches if it's a 'dog thing'?

Yes, the direction of approach is something that is meaningful for dogs whether it comes from another dog or from ourselves. Body positioning and use of space is a huge part of canine communication. Also, as people are larger than dogs, some dogs will be especially sensitive to the large shape of a person approaching straight at them.

You don't have to go dramatically out of your way, just take a slightly curved route if you are approaching your dog or if you just happen to be going towards them and then going on past them. You can use this curved approach any time that the two of you are just moving around, hanging out together round the house, yard, garden or anywhere you happen to be together. Keep your speed unhurried.

Another easy, dog-friendly gesture you can use, when possible, is to orientate yourself with your body sideways-on to your dog when you are around each other.

We are living with a different species

Dogs are a different species to us, which might sound obvious! But let's really give consideration to this in our interactions with them. It will enhance our relationship with our dog even more.

Even if you have spent many years with dogs in your life and didn't realise that the way you walk towards them, past them, around them etc. might matter to them, you could maybe think of it now as just a small thing you can use in daily life that your dog might just appreciate.


Ursula Linton

Further Reading

Here is an article by Martha Knowles from her fantastic Silent Conversations website on how dogs use curves with each other:
https://www.silentconversations.com/dog-body-language-curving-silent-conversations/

Also from Martha on the same website, there is a very comprehensive article looking at how we can use curved routes to be considerate towards the dogs we encounter: 
https://www.silentconversations.com/considering-the-effects-of-walking-or-running-straight-towards-a-dog/


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Comments

  1. Earual25 March 2022 at 11:07

    Sometimes I use running straight at my dog as a way to play with her -- she usually responds with a play pose and the zoomies. This helps explain why it gets such a reaction out of her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Other Nations"29 March 2022 at 01:13

      It sounds like you have a fantastic relationship with your dog!
      Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on these blogs.
      I'm so glad you enjoy them.
      Best wishes
      Ursula

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