OPOTA Unit 8 Topic 2
Signs of a Relaxed Dog - ANS-Body Posture - Relaxed, weight carried evenly, may observe a
play bow or body wiggle
Tail - Relaxed and in neutral position, may be wagging
Ears - Relaxed and in neutral position
Mouth - Appears in soft, may be open, tongue hanging out, mouth may be closed with lips
relaxed over teeth
Eyes- Soft, relaxed, eyebrows neutral, normal pupil size, steady, relaxed gaze
Signs of a defensively threatening dog - ANS-Body Posture -Muscles tense, weight shifted
back, low to ground, may roll to expose belly, holding one paw up
Tail - Stiff usually tucked or low to the ground, may be wagging
Piloerection - May or may not be present, may be seen as a blowing coat
Ears - Pulling back against head
Mouth - Lips bulled back, may be growling or snarling, often see excessive panting, lip licking,
chewing, yawning
Eyes -Vigilant with pupils dilated, eyebrows furrowed, scanning/darting eyes, whale eye
Signs of an offensively threating dog - ANS-Body Posture - Hard and stiff, muscles tensed,
weight forward, may be very still
Tail - Carried high, often wagging slowly and methodically
Piloerection - Usually present
Ears - Erect and forward, little movement
Mouth - Top lip pulled up, baring front teeth only, growling, snapping, barking
Eyes - Hard stare, wide open or squinted/hooded, eyebrows tensed, pupils dilated
Distractions and Escape Options - ANS-If a dog encounter turns threatening, determine if any
distractions are available
If your vehicle is close by and you have the distracted the dog, consider slowly backing up
toward protection or get in your vehicle
If you are not able to get to your vehicle, determine if there is something in your surroundings
that you can put between you and the dog such as a Garbage Can or Lid, Clipboard, or Chair
Intermediate Weapon Options - ANS-If distractions or escaping the situation is impractical or
unavailable, you may need to use other items that are available on your person
Impact Weapons can be used for blocking, redirecting a dog attack, or used as a bite stick, be
aware that the motions involved in opening, may be seen as threatening by some dogs
OC is the only chemical weapon that can be highly effective on dogs and, therefore, is the only
chemical weapon that should be considered for use on dogs
Electrical Weapons - ANS-In field reports of electrical weapon use on dogs, most officers
reported that the period of immobilization was shorter than for people
Signs of a Relaxed Dog - ANS-Body Posture - Relaxed, weight carried evenly, may observe a
play bow or body wiggle
Tail - Relaxed and in neutral position, may be wagging
Ears - Relaxed and in neutral position
Mouth - Appears in soft, may be open, tongue hanging out, mouth may be closed with lips
relaxed over teeth
Eyes- Soft, relaxed, eyebrows neutral, normal pupil size, steady, relaxed gaze
Signs of a defensively threatening dog - ANS-Body Posture -Muscles tense, weight shifted
back, low to ground, may roll to expose belly, holding one paw up
Tail - Stiff usually tucked or low to the ground, may be wagging
Piloerection - May or may not be present, may be seen as a blowing coat
Ears - Pulling back against head
Mouth - Lips bulled back, may be growling or snarling, often see excessive panting, lip licking,
chewing, yawning
Eyes -Vigilant with pupils dilated, eyebrows furrowed, scanning/darting eyes, whale eye
Signs of an offensively threating dog - ANS-Body Posture - Hard and stiff, muscles tensed,
weight forward, may be very still
Tail - Carried high, often wagging slowly and methodically
Piloerection - Usually present
Ears - Erect and forward, little movement
Mouth - Top lip pulled up, baring front teeth only, growling, snapping, barking
Eyes - Hard stare, wide open or squinted/hooded, eyebrows tensed, pupils dilated
Distractions and Escape Options - ANS-If a dog encounter turns threatening, determine if any
distractions are available
If your vehicle is close by and you have the distracted the dog, consider slowly backing up
toward protection or get in your vehicle
If you are not able to get to your vehicle, determine if there is something in your surroundings
that you can put between you and the dog such as a Garbage Can or Lid, Clipboard, or Chair
Intermediate Weapon Options - ANS-If distractions or escaping the situation is impractical or
unavailable, you may need to use other items that are available on your person
Impact Weapons can be used for blocking, redirecting a dog attack, or used as a bite stick, be
aware that the motions involved in opening, may be seen as threatening by some dogs
OC is the only chemical weapon that can be highly effective on dogs and, therefore, is the only
chemical weapon that should be considered for use on dogs
Electrical Weapons - ANS-In field reports of electrical weapon use on dogs, most officers
reported that the period of immobilization was shorter than for people
