It is undeniable that incidents involving dogs are increasingly frequent. Teaching dog owners to recognize the subtle distinctions between playfulness and aggression poses a challenge for trainers. This raises the question: if more owners understood these nuances, might there be fewer dog altercations in parks and other communal spaces?

If dog owners were well-versed in understanding canine body language, they could prevent conflicts from escalating into fights. The truth is, not only are they often unfamiliar with these cues, but they may also not prioritize learning them. Therefore, as part of a training program, would it be prudent for a trainer to advise that if there is ever any doubt, it’s better to intervene in an interaction and then to practice this skill in a secure manner.

A seasoned trainer, who has observed and managed the behaviour of over a hundred dogs, is likely equipped to instruct others on recognizing the initial signs to watch for. On the other hand, a trainer who is newly certified and has only worked with a few dogs should refrain from attempting this. It is the experienced trainer who can explain the rationale.

An experienced trainer will confirm that they learnt most of what they know from the dogs themselves, not a textbook or video. Owning a certificate isn’t going to help in teaching owners certain handling skills.