Behind the Bark: Understanding Dog Behavior!
Every year, dogs bite millions of people, with children and vulnerable individuals in communities most at risk. Beyond the physical pain and emotional trauma, these bites could result in fatal diseases like rabies! Rabies is transmitted through the saliva of an infected dog and can be transmitted even if the animal is not showing any definitive symptoms of the disease. Understanding dog behavior will help you to prevent getting bitten. It is not just about safety; it is also about humanely interacting with the dogs in your community.
Although the GARC Education Platform has several courses that will help you to learn about dog behavior, for some practical examples and training, we are hosting a series of webinars in July. Behind the Bark: Understanding Dog Behavior is designed for community workers, educators, and animal care professionals and anyone who wants to learn about dog behavior across Asia and Africa. In 60 to 90 minutes, the three webinars will explore how recognizing and respecting dog communication can prevent bites, reduce fear, and ultimately save lives. Each session will feature an interactive question and answer session where you can share your experiences, ask questions, and explore how to adapt messages for different cultural or community settings.
The sessions will combine expert insight, real-world strategies, and engaging video content to offer practical skills that you can then apply within your community. You will learn how to interpret tail wags and warning growls, as well as how to promote safe human behaviors around dogs.
Basic Body Language and Warning Signs – 10 July 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CET
The first session will introduce you to the basics of dog communication. You will learn how to read dog body language, recognize escalating warning signs, and avoid common misinterpretations. Supported by video demonstrations, this session will highlight real-world scenarios and offer actionable tips for encouraging safer human-dog interactions.
Click here to reserve your space today!
Prevention of Dog Bites and What to Do If Attacked by a Dog – 17 July 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CET
In the second session, the focus shifts to preventing dangerous situations and knowing what to do if a dog acts aggressively. We will investigate why dogs bite, how to stay safe when a dog approaches you, and what to do if the dog attacks. The webinar will also focus on community-level strategies, empowering you to create bite prevention plans tailored to your local context.
Click here to reserve your space today!
Human Behavior and How It Is Connected to Dog Behavior – 24 July 2025 at 12:00 p.m. CET
In the final webinar, you will learn how your behavior influences dogs, and how early life experiences shape a dog’s attitude toward people. We will focus on proper handling and socialization, with advice for families, pet owners, and anyone teaching children how to behave around dogs.
Click here to reserve your space today!
Behind the Bark is more than just a webinar series! At GARC we believe that through education and empathy, we can create safer, more compassionate communities! If we understand dogs better, we can build stronger bonds, prevent needless harm, and bring the world one step closer to a rabies-free future.
A special thank you to Battersea for their ongoing support of the Communities Against Rabies initiative