Index > Articles

Articles

An article donated by Liz Gray, the Public Education Coordinator for the Tuscaloosa
Kennel Club:

Petting a Puppy (or, How NOT To Get Bitten!)

Dog eyes are different from human eyes. One important factor is the makeup of the retina. Dog eyes have fewer cone cells and more rod cells than humans, which means that dogs distinguish fewer colors, do not see in as much detail, and notice moving objects much more quickly than stationary objects. Dogs can also see with much less light than humans. Another important difference is that dogs cannot focus on extremely close objects.

Puppy eyes are immature, making differences between human eyes and canine eyes even more extreme. Puppies examine things with their mouths, much like human babies do.

The combination of a puppy’s blurry close-up vision, the natural prey drive, the instinct to protect its eyes, and curiosity results in a puppy trying to grab anything moving toward its face.

Always avoid petting a puppy on top of its head. It cannot recognize a moving object that close. Always try to make your hand approach the puppy from the side or the back, slowly, without startling the puppy. Speak calmly and gently. If you must approach from the front, keep your hand below the pup’s chin, never above nose level.

If the pup looks at your hand, freeze. Freezing your hand stops the movement that attracts the puppy’s attention. Do not move your hand until the pup looks away. If the pup should grab your hand, immediately say “OUCH!” or “OW!” and try to make it sound like another pup’s yelp.

In summary:

1. Before approaching the pup, be prepared to react appropriately.

2. Approach the pup so your hand will not attract its attention.
3. If the pup looks at your hand, freeze.
4. If the pup bites you anyway, “yelp” like an injured pup.

References:

http://www.vetinfo.com/dogsee.html
http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/LA/davis2.htm
http://www.nahranews.com/html/nahra/vision.htm
Campbell,William E. Behavior Problems in Dogs. (1975/1985) Santa Barbara, California: American Veterinary Publications, Inc. pp. 163-164.