Dog Body Language

What is the difference between observing behavior and making judgments (interpretations) about a dog's "intentions or feelings"? Give an example of one situation, listing only the observations first, and then the judgment about intention or feelings separately.

Observing Behavior: watching and listening without thinking about what the dog is saying or feeling. Interpreting Behavior: drawing conclusions about what the dog is saying or feeling based on your observations. EX: someone reports that a dog is "starting a fight". This is interpreting intentions. Objective observations for a dog that may be starting a fight would be: dog is growling with forward leaning posture, direct stare, raised tail and slow, stiff steps towards another dog.

EARS - Semi-Erect (Oriented Towards Sound)

Oriented towards a sound or sight of interest

What ear position might indicate uncertainty or a state of conflict?

Out-to-the-Side or Airplane Ears (look like airplane wings)

EYES - Soft

Relaxed, partially closed, or even squinty - not wide Usually seen with relaxed facial features, no tension around eyes Signifies a relaxed dog

What could a tail raised straight up suggest?

Signifies high confidence and/or high arousal

What does it signify if lips go from longer to shorter?

Signifies the transition from being in a calm relaxed state to feeling threatened.

What kind of effect can sitting or lying down have as a social signal?

Sitting - dogs may use it when another dog is making him feel uncertain or when you yell to make him come. Lying Down - on their back, belly up, is submission; with their belly to the ground is an act of calming, often used by high-ranking dogs.

What are 3 calming signals that Rugaas says you, as a human, CAN use effectively?

Sitting or lying down, freezing, and curving or splitting up.

How do you know is a dog's eyes are hard or soft? a. What does each of these different eye states signify?

Soft Eyes: relaxed, partially closed, or even squinting. - Signifies a relaxed dog in a non-threatening state, or appeasement. Hard Eyes: can look like a frozen, lifeless stare; open wider than normal; usually seen with tension in the facial muscles around the eyes. - Signifies stress or threat of conflict.

Think of a dog (or dogs) that you know well. What are 3 things that create stress for the dog you are thinking of? a. How do you know these things are creating stress for that dog?

Stella: 1. When she is approached quickly or suddenly by people (she will turn away, freeze, or drop her head and sniff) 2. When meeting new dogs (she will curve around them or stop and turn away) 3. When someone comes to the door or walks by the house (she gets very restless and will bark until she is introduced to the person or they move away from the house)

What does Rugaas believe are the many functions of calming signals?

The signals are used at an early stage to prevent things from happening, avoiding threats from people and dogs, calming down nervousness, fear, noise and unpleasant things. The signals are used for calming themselves when they feel stressed or uneasy. They are used to make others involved feel safer and understand the goodwill the signals indicate. They are also used to enable dogs to make friends with other dogs and people.

Describe a snarl. a. What does it signify?

The upper lips by the nose are pulled back to reveal the canine teeth. - Signifies a threat

How does a dog's body react to stressful situations? a. What is the effect on their "defensive" behavior?

They will start to use heavy calming signals to resolve the situation. - A dog with a constantly high stress level will be faster and more violent in their defense. They will probably have an activated defense mechanism at a much earlier point than others.

What are the key points of Rugaas; main argument against using violent or threatening punishment with a dog?

Dogs are survivors. They defend themselves when they feel threatened. Some will try to get away, others may answer back, and whatever solution the dog decides upon, it is you who made it happen. By telling your dog you are friendly, it does not need to feel insecure in your presence and it will ultimately improve your whole relationship with your dog.

EARS - Flat Back

Fearful or defensive

List 3 major differences between socially acceptable primate greetings and socially acceptable dog greetings.

For primates, it's polite to greet each other by walking straight toward them, looking right in each others eyes, and touching each other (i.e. shaking hands, hugging, kissing). But the primate approach is appallingly rude in canine society.

What are 3 parts of your body (or a dog's body) that can be "turned away" or "averted to the side" in order to produce a "calming signal"?

Head Turning - turning head to the side and back, or holding his head to one side for some time. Softening the Eyes - "shortening the eyes" by making the eyes look at another individual in a softer way, lowering the lids, and not staring in a threatening way. Turning Away - turning the side or back to someone is very calming.

Why might a dog begin to ignore both verbal language and body language communications from its owner? a. Why might a dog bond very quickly with a skilled dog trainer and want to continue interacting with that trainer thereafter?

If the owner is not consistent with their movements then a dog can easily become frustrated or confused. The dog might bond with a trainer because the trainer knows to limit what they communicate to the dog which will make it easier on the dog and will result in them favoring the trainer as opposed to their confusing owners.

How is hugging interpreted differently by dogs than by humans? Why is this?

While humans are thinking warm, loving thoughts when they go to hug a dog, the dog interprets their hug as a rude, domineering threat display. The only time dogs "hug" each other is when the male clasps the female during sex or when a dog (male or female) mounts another dog in a dominance display or in play with familiar dogs.

At any given moment, can "more than one" feeling state be present in a dog? a. How would you know if this is the case?

Yes, just like humans, dogs can have more than one feeling or intent. a. One example of this is a dog that is leaping and play-bowing, moving forward towards someone with obvious joyful excitement, but at the same time this dog has his ears pinned back and his tail tucked.

Describe 2 states that "ears up" or forward can convey.

Alertness - usually investigating whatever the dig's head is oriented towards Confidence

EARS - Up or Angled Forward

Alertness - usually investigating whatever the dog's head is oriented towards Confidence

What does McConnell say that all dogs are brilliant at? a. Therefore, what do dogs assume about human movement?

All dogs are brilliant at perceiving the slightest movement that we make, and they assume that each tiny motion has meaning.

Describe 2 different states that "ears back" could convey.

Appeasing or submissive - letting others know "I am harmless, let's be peaceful" Far back, but not flattened, indicates cautiousness

EARS - Back

Appeasing or submissive - letting others know "I am harmless, let's be peaceful" Far back, but not flattened, indicates cautiousness

What is a good way to greet a dog if you want to find out whether she's interested in being petted or not? a. How would you know one way or the other?

Approach from the side, don't make direct eye contact, and move slowly. a. If a dog responds by backing away or barks, snaps, or bites than that dog is not interested in being petted.

List 3 ways you can hone your observational skills with dig behavior.

At home, with other dogs, or one at a time.

Describe 2 degrees to which the ears can be back, and what each represents.

Back but not flattened - appeasing, submissive, cautious Flat Back - fearful or defensive

Which cues are dogs more readily able to understand from humans - body language cues or vocal cues? Give your reasons for your answer.

Body Language Cues - while vocal cues are critically important in social relationships of dogs, the depth and breadth of visual signals - of subtle head cocks, shifts in weight forward or backward, stiffening or relaxing of the body - are vast in dogs. Both dogs and humans share the tendencies to be highly visual, highly social, and hardwired to pay attention to how someone in our social group is moving, even if the movement is minuscule.

EARS - Natural/Relaxed

In their natural position with no tension - often seen during relaxation and in calm social situations

Why is it valuable to be able to observe and understand dog body language? List at least 2 major reasons.

It is important to see these signals in your own dogs and other dogs. By knowing the signals and understanding them you will be able to help calm your own dog when he gets nervous or uncomfortable as well as avoid conflict with other dogs.

What are 3 calming signals that Rugaas says you, as a human, CANNOT use effectively?

Licking the nose, sniffing, and wagging the tail.

Is a wagging tail always a sign of a happy dog? Explain your answer.

NO - it can be used as a way of calming other dogs or people down if they are angry or upset.

Can the tail all by itself tell you everything a dog is feeling?

No

Does all "tail-wagging" mean a dog is happy and friendly? a. What type of tail-wagging clearly signifies friendly intentions?

No a. A relaxed tail (around level height) moving in wide or circular wags is a sign of friendliness.

What part of the tail should you look at to judge the height of the tail?

The base of the tail where it meets the body of the dog.

Why did McConnell want strangers to toss treats to Mitsy, rather than hand them to her?

The goal was for her to learn approaching unfamiliar men are not only safe, they are the bearers of yummy treats. By having them throw her the treats she is learning this without being overwhelmed by someone invading her personal space.

EARS - Out-to-the-Side or Airplane Ears

Uncertainty, conflicted or mixed emotions

List 3 pieces of information you may be able to gain by looking at a dog's orientation.

What a dog is oriented towards is what he is focused on and thinking about. It tells you what his primary motivator is in that instant, and can help you determine what he is likely to do (or not do) next.

Rugaas believes that whenever you are together with, or meeting, a dog - your body language is either: _____________ or ______________ to the dog.

threatening; friendly