Hazardous energy potential

By Kevin Glynn
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When searching for something online recently, I came across a headline titled, “What is hazardous energy?”

The term is used to describe the energy potential of electrical or mechanical equipment and the danger it poses, especially when being serviced. Working with dogs, it made me think about another type of energy. Thermal energy, which is shared by people and dogs, and all living things for that matter, also has the potential to become hazardous.

When we walk our dogs, the goal should be to have them walk calmly beside us on a loose leash. One of the topics we cover in detail during free consultations deals with walking. Does the dog walk on a loose leash? Does the dog pull constantly, or only when first starting out? Does the dog pull when it spots small animals? Does the dog pull when you come across other dogs?

When people aren’t able to control their dogs on the walk, their energy potential - reacting to something you encounter - can become hazardous. The handler can be dragged to the ground. The dog can get loose. The target, especially if it’s another dog, can mirror that aggressive or excited energy and also become reactive.

The same is true of anything that the dog perceives as danger - someone at the door, loud noises in or out of the home, people or animals walking past the property. When dogs feel pressure, some will give ground or go into flight mode. Others will oppose the pressure, which could mean an aggressive reaction. With strong leadership and guidance, your dog can be trained to submit to it.

Instead of threatening or attacking someone at the door, the dog will check in with the owner by making eye contact and will look for direction. Instead of presenting hazardous energy, the dog will then mirror your energy, which should be calm and confident.

Being aware of and controlling your energy is very important, because otherwise you will not be able to influence the energy or actions of those around you. The next time your dog gets anxious or excited, take note of how you feel. Your heart rate will likely escalate and you will start taking short, shallow breaths. Your muscles will probably contract slightly so that you feel stiff. Your dog has influenced your energy and caused a change that is visible.
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This works both ways. The first step to influencing your dog is to be aware of how you feel, and then control the energy you are putting out. Panic and anxiety will cause the dog’s reaction to intensify. If you are calmly able to communicate to the dog that his or her reaction is inappropriate, you can affect change the same way that he or she has been affecting change in you.
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There is always the potential for energy to become hazardous, but if we are aware of possible triggers and learn how present our dogs with a calming influence, we can start to change the pattern of behavior.