Behaviour

Body Language

For species that live in packs it is vital to be able to communicate with their own kind. This aids cooperation when hunting, bringing up offspring and living in peace with each other. Conflicts are dangerous as they cause physical injuries and weaken the pack- something that no pack can afford.

Dogs use calming signals to communicate with each other and their owners. It is the language they know and assume it will be understood.
Dogs have about 30 calming signals. The signals are international and universal. All dogs have the same language- a Japanese Akita would be understood by a Siberian Husky!
Miscommunication between owner and dog occurs when we do not interpret or even fail to recognise these signals correctly. This causes frustration, which may cause your dog to become aggressive, nervous or stressed as a result.

For species that live in packs it is vital to be able to communicate with their own kind. This aids cooperation when hunting, bringing up offspring and living in peace with each other. Conflicts are dangerous as they cause physical injuries and weaken the pack- something that no pack can afford.

Dogs use calming signals to communicate with each other and their owners. It is the language they know and assume it will be understood.

Dogs have about 30 calming signals. The signals are international and universal. All dogs have the same language- a Japanese Akita would be understood by a Siberian Husky!

Miscommunication between owner and dog occurs when we do not interpret or even fail to recognise these signals correctly. This causes frustration, which may cause your dog to become aggressive, nervous or stressed as a result.

Common calming signals dogs use to appease other dogs and owners are:

? Turning away/turning of the head - dogs turn their head slightly to one side, turn their head completely over to the side, or turn completely around. This signal is very common and generally makes the other dog calm down. It is a fantastic way in which to solve conflicts.
? Yawning - used when a dog feels threatened, eg. someone bending over them; or excited, eg. having their lead put on them.
? Licking - a quick lick of the nose, especially used by black coated dogs.
? Play bow - going down with the front legs in a bowing position can be an invitation to play and makes a potentially dangerous situation less tense.
? Sniffing the ground - a frequent signal which can be anything from dropping the nose quickly to sniffing persistently for a few minutes.
? Walking slowly - an insecure dog will walk slowly, speed often denotes hunting behaviour.
? Freezing - in the stand or laying position helps to appease the aggressor.
? Sitting down - dogs will often sit with their backs to their owner, especially if they have just been told off, in an attempt to calm the owner down.
? Walking in curve - naturally dogs will approach another dog by curving around each other, walking directly towards them is threatening.
? Smiling - either by pulling the corners of the mouth up and back, or by showing the teeth as in a grin.
Your dog will use some of the above signals to calm you down. Start observing your dog and you will begin to realise what he is really telling you. You will start to understand far more than you were able to before, it is incredibly exciting!
  • Turning away/turning of the head - dogs turn their head slightly to one side, turn their head completely over to the side, or turn completely around. This signal is very common and generally makes the other dog calm down. It is a fantastic way in which to solve conflicts.
  • Yawning - used when a dog feels threatened, eg. someone bending over them; or excited, eg. having their lead put on them.
  • Licking - a quick lick of the nose, especially used by black coated dogs.
  • Play bow - going down with the front legs in a bowing position can be an invitation to play and makes a potentially dangerous situation less tense.
  • Sniffing the ground - a frequent signal which can be anything from dropping the nose quickly to sniffing persistently for a few minutes.
  • Walking slowly - an insecure dog will walk slowly, speed often denotes hunting behaviour.
  • Freezing - in the stand or laying position helps to appease the aggressor.
  • Sitting down - dogs will often sit with their backs to their owner, especially if they have just been told off, in an attempt to calm the owner down.
  • Walking in curve - naturally dogs will approach another dog by curving around each other, walking directly towards them is threatening.
  • Smiling - either by pulling the corners of the mouth up and back, or by showing the teeth as in a grin.

Your dog will use some of the above signals to calm you down. Start observing your dog and you will begin to realise what he is really telling you. You will start to understand far more than you were able to before, it is incredibly exciting!