Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Ways to support canine communication in practice
• Remember , and remind owners of dogs that are struggling to settle , that the way a dog behaves is influenced by how it feels about the things it sees , hears and smells , even though we might not be able to detect these things ourselves .
• Reassure owners that dogs often toilet in the practice and they need not worry if their dog does this ; rather , the focus should be on quickly cleaning up any mess with an ‘ unscented ’ ( to the human nose ) biological detergent .
• Pay attention to any sounds a dog makes during its visit , particularly during any physical handling . Advise owners not to reprimand a dog for any behaviour that might be considered aggressive , such as snarling or growling . Punishing this type of behaviour / communication risks suppressing it , so a dog might escalate directly to snapping or biting when it next feels threatened .
• When admitting dogs into hospital , request that owners provide a blanket from home . A blanket that smells of the owner is likely to provide reassurance and elicit feelings of safety within the dog ' s hospital kennel .
• Learn how to interpret canine body language and communication , and respond appropriately to each individual dog to help reduce any negative emotions it may be feeling . More information on this is provided in the BVNA webinar [ 1 ] .
• Where safe to do so and without interfering with other patients , it can be helpful to allow dogs to sniff the waiting area and / or consulting room on entering , so they have a chance to ‘ read ’ the room before being expected to settle .
Conclusions
Although we have much more to learn about canine communication , it is clear that even a basic knowledge of the ways dogs interact with each other , and with humans , can enhance our appreciation of the species .
By also understanding the sensory experience of dogs in a given environment and their resulting emotional expressions , we can better respond to their needs in the veterinary practice .
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank her colleagues on the Dog Friendly Clinic team .
Further information
Canine communication using body language was explored in greater detail in a BVNA webinar , Listen to the whispers : canine communication for veterinary nurses – Part one [ 1 ] . The webinar was delivered in September 2023 by the Dog Friendly Clinic team , a collaboration between Dogs Trust and the British Veterinary Behaviour Association . BVNA members can access the webinar via https :// tinyurl . com / 3znesp8t .
The Dog Friendly Clinic scheme aims to increase understanding of dog behaviour and communication , particularly in the veterinary environment . The scheme also provides guidance on how to reduce stress and promote positive experiences and interactions for dogs , owners and veterinary professionals . Information , resources and additional scheme-member benefits , such as CPD , are available at https :// www . dogstrust . org . uk / how-we-help / professionals / vet-clinics .
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Volume 39 ( 5 ) • October 2024
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