Researchers at the University of Liverpool’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics revealed that a new virtual reality-based concept can help a person approach, securely interact with, and control dogs that may show aggressive signals. The project, carried out by animal behavior investigators at the Electronic Engineering Center, in collaboration with the Dogs Trust Organization and the University of Liverpool, is a "virtual dog" that can be used as an educational tool to help avoid being attacked or bitten by dogs. According to the Electronic Engineering Center, such a virtual dog will help children and adults to identify certain behaviors in dogs properly, so that they can avoid biting or painful accidents, the German news agency reported. In 2013, British hospitals received about 6740 people who were bitten or attacked by dogs. But according to the University of Liverpool, the real number is higher than that registered in hospitals. The charity, concerned in dog care, has sought to explore the possibility of using an electronic tool to help people identify a range of dog behaviors. In this context, researchers have worked to ensure that body language and details that appear in the virtual environment is an accurate reflection of the real behaviors of dogs. From a scientific perspective, when a person approaches a dog, the dogs behavior and body language change; the animal starts to lick its lips, relax its tail and show its teeth with a snarl, which is the case with the virtual dog. “The project is exciting and the next steps will focus on ensuring that the simulation environment is as close to reality as possible, and future developments in the project will reveal a wider range of dog behaviors and user feedback," said the head of the research team at the University of Liverpools Center for Electronic Engineering.