Be more confident: 11 Ways to Communicate with your Dog

11 Ways to Communicate with your Dog

Whether you have a new canine companion or your
and your dog have been together for a while, it's
helpful to know the meaning of your dog's
communication methods so that you can adjust your
own behavior as needed and so that you can be
assured of your dog's feelings. Dogs make
vocalizations and gestures using their face and
body just as humans do, in order to express their
feelings. And while some of these gestures can
appear very similar to our own, they can have
very different meanings. In this article, you'll
learn a range of interpretations for your dog's
messaging and you'll learn how to communicate
effectively with your canine pal.

!! Steps !!

Spend some time just watching your dog. Learning
your dog's habits, mannerisms, and movements
through observation [1] will allow the process
of understanding her behavior to feel more
natural and there will be plenty of things she
does that will make sense to you without
explanation. Just as every person is unique, so
is your dog, and knowing her particular way of
being is something that only you can understand
fully.

* Be aware that much of a dog's language or communication skills [2]
are subtle.

* The importance of learning canine language resides in the fact
that you will be able to respond to any problems she expresses
before they become more marked. Not noticing small signs of stress
or unhappiness can soon lean to more aggressive or distressed
behaviors.

* Remember that this is a two-way learning process. Dogs have to
learn our behavioral cues as well, and knowing this is just as
important because it will affect how you respond to your dog,
causing you to be more careful about your own gestures and
posture.

* Note that a dog's ability to signal may be hampered by the breed
[3] in question, for example, if a dog has squat ears, a docked
tail, etc.

* Start by understanding the value of dog eye
contact [4]. Consider how you feel when someone stares at you
directly rather than uses normal eye contact standards. Just as
you find it confronting, dogs also feel confused and threatened by
direct head-on staring [5] because it is a threat stance for them.
A dog that looks away in this situation is actually being polite
(or submissive) and is seeking to avoid confrontation.[1] [6]
Look at your dog\'s posture [7]. The ways in
which a dog holds her body can tell you a great
deal about her mood and emotions. Many of the
signals will be subtle and it can take some
time to learn all of her expressions but it is
well worth the effort. Here are some of the
most common positions to know:

* Confident stance: A dog that is feeling
confident will stand tall, have her tail up and probably wagging
slowly, her ears will either be pricked up or relaxed, and she
will generally look relaxed. Her eyes will have smaller pupils as
they are also relaxed.[2] [8]

* Bowing: Facing you and with head and chest
dipped low to the ground to the ground, front legs splayed out,
and with rear end and tail up is a clear invitation to play. This
is known as the "play bow".[3] [9] It can be mistaken by owners as
an attack stance but it clearly denotes playtime.

* German Shepherds are renowned for this traitHip swings: Hip
swings or nudges are another sign of play.This involves the dog
swinging around another dog and knocking them to the ground using
the backside (the end of the dog without teeth!).[4] [10] When
the dog's rear is presented to you, it is an indication of trust
and depending on your dog, it might mean your dog wants a scratch.
Wiggling her rear end is a sign of excitement and friendliness.[5]
[11]

* Rolling over: This action exposes the dog's
underbelly and is a gesture that shows respect for authority.
Giving a belly rub serves as excellent reinforcement for this
behavior. This action can also indicate passive resistance,
resisting a threat in a passive and indirect manner, using feet to
push away the problem (such as an owner clipping nails); in this
case, if it is you she is directing the passive resistance at, she
is likely to resort to finding a number of play distracting
behaviors to get you to do something else![6] [12]

* One of the signs of a pacing dog may be a well worn
pathPacing: Pacing can mean excitement, nervousness, or boredom
(from a lack of exercise or things to play with).

* Raised hackles: This refers to the strip of fur running down the
middle of the dog's back. When it is raised, it can be a sign that
the dog feels threatened and is trying to make herself appear
larger than normal. It is not necessarily an aggressive stance but
one of "high alert", making herself ready for whatever may come
next.[7] [13] A scared dog can bite, so be extremely careful
around a dog raising her hackles.[8] [14]

* Frightened or insecure [15]: The dog will
cower or crouch down. A slight crouch will denote submissiveness
or nervousness. Another response can be an arched back, slightly
bent legs, and the tail down (but not tucked under), and looking
at what is concerning her.[9] [16]

* Suddenly freezes in the middle of action:
This means that your dog isn't feeling sure of herself and would
rather be left alone, or is preparing for an attack.[10] [17] This
is commonplace when a dog is holding a bone; don't get between the
dog and her bone!

* Aggressive or threatened: The dog will lean
forward and appear rigid. This occurs in response to what the dog
perceives as a threat or a challenge. The tail will usually be
tucked down or under, wagging in a quick and frantic manner.[11]
[18] The whites of the eyes will likely show as the dog turns away
to look.

Look at your dog's gestures. Just as with
people, certain gestures are clear signals that
can be interpreted and understood. Some of the
more common ones include:

* Uncertainty or puzzlement: This can be
expressed in a number of ways, such as raising one paw [19],
keeping most of the body away from the person, animal or object
creating uncertainty, and backing away. If the head is tilted to
one side, this means that the dog is listening, or is uncertain
and puzzled and is awaiting more information.

* Mounting: Mounting (or humping) can be a sign
of stress in a dog, especially where a low-confidence dog is
trying to establish allegiance with a higher-confidence
animal.[12] [20] Mounting is difficult for owners because it can
be used as a dominance gesture, seeking to be more dominant in the
pack than another person. Care should be taken when interpreting
this gesture and the standard training approaches to prevent a dog
from jumping up can be applied.

* Raised paw touching knee or other part of
person: The kneading associated with obtaining mother's milk as a
pup turns into a pacifying gesture.[13] [21] As time goes on, the
raised paw becomes a way for the dog to get attention when she
wants it from a human, to make a request or ask for something, or
to indicate a wish to play with other dogs.[14] [22] Pawing at the
air is often used by puppies as an invitation to play.[15] [23]
You can interpret the raising of a paw as similar to that of
offering a hand for a handshake – it's about connecting and
friendship.[16] [24]

* Dominance: This can be established in a
number of ways, including placing their head or chin, or a paw, on
the back neck or shoulders of another dog.[17] [25] This may be
accompanied by staring and standing tall or standing over another
dog.

* Shaking the head and shoulders: This signals
an end to an activity, such as resting, playing, or training. It
can also signal the end of a certain level of tension, such as
being alert to a threat or an anticipated event that doesn't
occur.

Check the tail signals. While adorable, given
that we don't come equipped with tails, it can
be a little harder for us to understand tail
gestures without further understanding of the
behavioral meaning behind tail wagging. The
tail can convey some very important information
to the astute watcher and it's important to
bear in mind that this doesn't always mean
happiness! Here are some common tail signals:

* Upright tail: This indicates confidence,
assertiveness, or high excitement.[18] [26] It can also be seen as
an "alpha" dog position around other dogs.

* Tail in neutral (level with body or slightly
lower: This indicates a relaxed dog, feeling secure and
friendly.[19] [27]

* Tail lowered or tucked between legs: This
shows anxiety, fear, and uncertainty.[20] [28][21] [29] Wagging
can still occur in this situation, which can lead to the
misunderstanding that the dog is happy. This position can also
indicate a need for reassurance or protection.

* Fierce wag [30] and tail up: This can
indicate that the dog is feeling mischievous and inclined to
bother and annoy you or a fellow canine![22] [31] It could also
signal swatting away another animal.

* Slight wag: This indicates that the dog is relaxed but alert and
is anticipating, ready to play.

* Slow wag, tail slightly lowered: This can indicate that the dog is
confused and is asking for an explanation, or is investigating a
non-threat (curiosity [32]).

* Slight trembling of the tail, erect: This means that there is a
challenge and the dog is displaying dominant behavior.

* Rapid wagging, tail in low position: The dog is submissive.

* Slightly lowered tail, and still: This indicates that the dog is
alert and watching. If the tail is lowered and is barely moving,
it can also indicate insecurity.[23] [33]

* If there is slight movement with a low tail, this can indicate
that the dog is either sad or not feeling well.

Well, most dogs can use their ears...Look at your dog\'s ears
[34]. While we're not able to do much with our own ears, a dog's
ears can be incredibly expressive.

* Ears pricked forward or straight up: This can
indicate that the dog is fully engaged in play, hunting, or
concentration. It's a sign of paying attention.[24] [35] This ear
position can also indicate curiosity and can express the intent to
do something, as the dog is turning to catch sounds. It is an
obvious ear position in the early stage of a chase.[25] [36]

* Ears flattened: Ears that sit against the
dog's head indicate that the dog feels afraid or threatened. Ears
that are forward but close to the head can also indicate
aggression [37].[26] [38]

* Ears part way back but not flattened: This
indicated unhappiness, anxiety, or uncertainty.[27] [39]

Learn about your dog's eye signals. A dog\'s
eyes [40] express as much as human eyes do, and
just as you learn to interpret people's eye
signals, you can also learn to interpret your
dog's. Here are some of the more common eye
signals:

* Eyes wide open: This means that your dog is
feeling alert, playful, and ready.[28] [41]

* Staring: As noted earlier, this is dominant,
challenging behavior.

* Avoiding eye contact: This can be a form of
politeness (in human speak) or of deference or submission (in dog
speak).

* Blinking or winking: Your dog is being
playful.

* Narrowed eyes: This can indicate that your dog is feeling
aggressive and is preparing to attack.[29] [42] This gesture may
be accompanied by staring.

Watch your dog's face. Facial expressions do
exist on dogs and they are quite specific. As
part of interpreting your dog's gestures and
behavior, understanding the facial expressions
is crucial:

* Smile: If may be hard to spot a smile from a
snarl, but check the entire body language. If everything else adds
up to a happy dog, then your dog is smiling, and this means it's
happy and relaxed, as with humans.

* Yawn [43]: Yawning is very dependent on the
context, just as it is with us (such as because we're tired, need
more oxygen, we're feeling stressed or embarrassed [44], or we
notice someone else yawning). For dogs, yawning appears to be
contagious just as it is with humans.[30] [45] Indeed, if you yawn
in front of your dog, she may interpret it either as you being
stressed (in which case, she'll likely turn away from you to give
you some space), or she'll respond in kind and yawn too.[31] [46]
Dogs also yawn as a way to ease tension, to show confusion or when
they feel slightly threatened especially when meeting new
situations or new dogs or animals.

* Mouth: A dog that has her mouth stretched
back, closed or just slightly open, is showing that she is very
stressed, in fear, or in pain.[32] [47] This may be accompanied by
rapid panting. If her mouth is stretched back and open, it is an
neutral or submissive sign. A dog that is alert and content will
have her mouth closed or slightly open, with the teeth
covered.[33] [48]

* Lip licking: If your dog licks her lips in
combination with a yawn, this can be a clear indication that she
is feeling stressed, under pressure, or facing a threat.[34] [49]
It's a commonplace gesture shown by puppies [50] around adults,
again deriving from suckling behavior. If puppies continue this
behavior into adulthood, their constant licking [51] will annoy
both people and other dogs alike. And for mature dogs, licking can
also be part of the dog's sexual behavior as it finds chemical
signals on grass, carpet, and the genitals of other dogs.[35] [52]
A dog that is licking another dog's lips is showing deferring
behavior.[36] [53]

* Bared teeth: This is a signal of aggression
and an intention to use the teeth for biting.[37] [54] This
doesn't mean that every flash of teeth means aggression though,
and you must take care to note the other elements. If the teeth
are bared and there is no wrinkling of the muzzle, this is a
warning and a sign of dominance [55] and territorial
defensiveness. If the lips are curled, the teeth are bared, the
muzzle is wrinkled, and the dog is snarling, this indicates that
the dog is angry and ready to fight, and there is every chance
that it will bite.

Listen [56] to your dog. Barks, growls [57],
yelps, and howls all carry their own unique
language indicators that can take time to learn
but are also an important part of understanding
your dog's overall behavior. Many people think
a bark is a bark is a bark. As you begin to
really listen you will hear very distinct
differences:

Learn to differentiate your dog's barks [58]:

* Loud, high pitched, rapid bark: This is both aggressive and
territorial.[38] [59]

* Guttural or short, frequent, alert bark [60]: This type of bark is
aimed at warning the pack (wolf or human) of potential danger. It
may be accompanied by a snarl, or growls.[39] [61]

* Crisp, short bark: This is a form of greeting from your dog.

* High pitched bark: This is often heard when your dog is being
playful. A short, high bark is a sign of friendliness, and may be
accompanied by whimpering or yapping.[40] [62]

* High pitched, sharp yelp [63]: This is an indication that your dog
is in pain.

* Low pitched, single or spaced out bark: This is another warning to
back off.

Learn to differentiate growls. Be aware that
play growls are common during play so not all
growls are to be viewed as aggressive or
worried, but still be careful because a dog that
has become too boisterous and carried away in
play may still snap at a human who intervenes or
gets too close.

* Low, quiet growl: This indicates that you need to back off. It is
a sign of assertiveness in a dominant dog.[41] [64]

* Low growl ending with short bark: This is the sound made when your
dog is responding to threat. It can be a prelude to a snap.

* Medium growl, leading to or combined with bark: This type of growl
indicates that your dog feels nervous, and possibly aggressive.

* Low murmuring grumble: This is a lovely sign of contentment. Soft
growling is generally play growling;[42] [65] assess it by taking
in the context and the general stance of your dog. It will often
be accompanied by excited barking.

* Low sustained growl or 'woofing': This noise is an indication that
your dog is feeling either anxious or suspicious.

Sometimes it\'s singing...Learn to differentiate howls [66]:

* Long, sustained howl: separation, loneliness

* Short, howl with rising pitch: This noise indicates that your dog
is happy and/or excited.

* Baying: This is a hunting signal.

* Siren: This is a response to another howl or a sustained noise.

Learn to differentiate whines and whimpers:

* Short whines accompanied by short barks: This indicates that your
dog is eager, curious, and excited.[43] [67]

* Short whimpers: This demonstrates fear or anxiety.

* Low pitched whine: This indicates that your dog is mildly anxious
or submissive.[44] [68]

* Persistent high pitched whine: This is a plea for attention, or
reflects intense anxiety, or severe pain.

* Note that a lack of barking or other dog noises can indicate a
predatory state, aimed at not alerting the prey. This may also be
accompanied by sniffing the air, keeping low, remaining rigid,
ears flicking forward and backward to catch sounds, mouth closed
and eyes wide open.[45] [69] Equally, no noise can indicate a
submissive dog seeking approval.

Understand pack order. Dogs are pack animals
[70], genetically programed to follow the
hierarchy of the pack; their behavior and
communication is based on their "perceived"
position in the pack. The Greek Alphabet is
used to designate the positions held in the
pack. The more dogs you have, the more this
behavior is emphasized. Many of the gestures or
postures that dogs use are related to pack
order and they are often mistaken for meaning
other things. When you understand the gestures
as dominant, submissive, or challenging
behaviors, you will then be able to understand
your dog better and can respond accordingly.

* Alpha is the leader. This should be you, but look for indications
that the dog may think she is.

* Other dogs will fall into next positions*Beta, Gamma, Delta* and
so forth until the most submissive is *Omega*. If you have more
than one dog you may see different dominance, submission,
challenging behaviors in their play and everyday habits. It is
their nature to try to move up in the pack order as well as strive
to maintain their own position, so you may notice challenging
behaviors at times, even though there is a clear pack order.

You think I\'d dress like this if I had any say in it?Watch your
own language and messaging. Dogs understand your language but
it\'s on their terms, and through their eyes, although recent
research does suggest that dogs may have the ability to
understand some of our language.[46] [71] It's very important to
understand how you appear to your dog and how some of your
gestures may be causing your dog distress, fear, or worry, even
though you're completely unaware of this. Always be aware that
your dog is watching you, learning, and seeking to predict your
routine, habits, and preferences. This is why dogs are so good
at predicting what we're about to do; they pick up on our subtle
body changes and are able to use these to predict our leaving,
the arrival of visitors, and even epileptic seizures.[47] [72]
It's also how dogs learn that bared teeth in humans is no worry,
and that our loud emanations such as sneezing and coughing are
of no concern! Some of the common messaging that we can portray
to our dogs includes:

* Withdrawal of our gaze and our arms at the same time. This informs
our dog that we have decided not to touch her anymore and this
results in her responding negatively.[48] [73]

* Staring at our dog. This is viewed as a threat by our dog; some
trainers believed that a dog looking away was a sign of
disobedience but it is better understood now as being one of
politeness or submission.[49] [74]

* Seeing the signs of fear on a dog as guilt and reacting as if a
dog deserves punishment. This only serves to increase a dog's
sense of fear and does nothing to instill better behavior from our
perspective.

* Patting dogs on the head. Quite a number of dogs do not like being
patted directly on the head and this is something a dog usually
needs to learn to tolerate.[50] [75] As such, it is never
advisable to pat a strange dog on the head until you're more
familiar with her. In turn, if you live in an urban environment
where people are likely to want to do this, early training (with
treats) to help your dog tolerate head patting is essential.

* Our own yawning, as noted earlier, can indicate to your dog that
you're distressed and cause her to move away from you. It can be a
good idea to cover your yawn around her if she responds
negatively.

* Hugging [76] and cuddling. Dogs are cute, adorable, and very
hug-worthy. The problem is that nature has programmed the dog to
believe that being held in close proximity means one of two
things: one, that she is trapped as prey, or two, that she is
being mounted.[51] [77] Since neither of these actions brings on
happy responses, a dog that is not used to frequent cuddling and
hugging may respond by fleeing, wriggling, and snapping. If this
is the case with your dog, be patient and take a gradual approach
to getting her used to your loving embrace. Ensure that children
who hug dogs always keep their faces away from the dog, and
monitor the dog's reaction so that you can intervene quickly if
needed.

* Instilling a sense of isolation. Dogs are social animals and need
contact. The first nights of having a puppy in the home are a time
when you need to dispense with your usual distancing from the dog;
try to stay near the puppy (such as having her crate in your
room), and then gradually moving her to where she will sleep
permanently. This will reassure her that all is well. Do not share
your bed with her unless you want this to become an ingrained,
permanent (and very annoying) habit. Doing this creates a
permanent expectation in your puppy's mind.

* Shouting at your dog and/or gesticulating wildly or shaking
"weapons" like the broomstick at your dog. This is crazy behavior
and does nothing to change your dog's behavior but can certainly
upset an already insecure and fearful dog even more (try seeing it
from the dog's eye view – not pretty). Spare your energy and
stay calm. Always abide by the rule of making the minimum of fuss
(also a good rule to have in place with children).

!! Video !!

!! Tips !!

* Take time to learn about your own dog's messaging. As a unique
individual, while much of what is written here will be applicable,
your dog will also display her own forms of messaging and it is
through spending time with your dog that you will get to know her
best.

* There are many more subtle signs that dogs use to show their
anxiety, stress, interest, or other moods. Get to know these signs
to help you predict a dog's reactions.

* It is important to note your dog's behavior around other species
than humans and other dogs. When introducing other pets into the
house, such as cats and rabbits, your dog's reactions are an
important indicator as to the success or otherwise of the
introduction and being ready to intervene quickly if things get
out of hand can mean the safety of either animal is assured.
Gradual introductions, careful supervision, and patience all tend
to be required when introducing a new pet around a dog that has
already established her place.

!! Warnings !!

* Note! Any whine or whimper can mean pain or injury. Do not ignore
any sustained whining or whimpering if the cause is not known.
Give your dog a thorough check over, and if you still cannot find
anything wrong and she continues to voice her unhappiness, see a
vet immediately.

* As clarified in the article's steps, be aware that a wagging tail
does not necessarily mean that the dog is friendly or happy. Dogs
can wag their tails for many reasons (just as humans can smile or
show their teeth for many reasons). If you're not familiar with
the dog, always look for other signs that may suggest she is not
in the mood for handling or that a swift retreat is in order.

!! Things You\'ll Need !!

* Training equipment

* Time to observe your dog and to play together

* Notebook for recording observations (optional)

!! Related WikiHows !!

* How to Teach Your Dog to Sit with a Clicker [78]

* How to Give Your Dog Basic Training [79]

* How to Travel Safely with Your Dog in the Car [80]

* How to Train Your Dog to Walk or Heel Without a Choke Chain [81]

* How to Make Healthy Dog Treats [82]

* How to Teach Your Dog to Drop It [83]

!! Sources And Citations !!

!! Article Tools !!

* Read on wikiHow

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Wednesday 12 January 2011

11 Ways to Communicate with your Dog

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