A lesson in body language: Shot 1 shows Heidi clearly giving Judah a “stay-away” signal. In shot
2 Judah uses an appeasement gesture (rolling over) to put Heidi at ease so he can sneak a bit closer.
The final shot shows how Heidi accepts Judah’s gesture and allows him to approach and lie with
her as she chews her hoof.
While most people quickly recognise obvious canine body language like tail-wagging or snarling there are many more signals that a dog can give to indicate how it is feeling. Many of these signals or behaviours indicate a wish to avoid conflict rather than engage in it and may be more subtle and difficult for inexperienced people to pick up. In order to better train, socialise and handle our dogs it is important that we are aware of all the ways they may be communicating with us:
Warning Signs:
While dogs generally spend far more time using appeasement behaviours and generally avoid confrontation and the use of aggression, it is important that we do note those behaviours/signs which may indicate that the dog is preparing to defend itself with force or an aggressive display. It is hard to miss vocal displays like barking, snapping or growling. However any of the following may also be subtle indicators that all is not well: pulling back of the ears flat against the head, lowering of body posture into a crouching position, backing up when approached, creeping around behind a person, teeth chattering and an overexposure of the whites of the eyes. These are all warning signs that the dog feels threatened and may consider farther action if pushed. It is never advisable to confront or approach a dog that is displaying such behaviour. Backing slowly away from the dog and avoiding eye contact (by turning your head to the side) is the best way to remove yourself from the situation.
One possible indicator of aggression is the raising of the hackles. However, I have not grouped this with the other indicators, as this reflex may also simply indicate a sudden fright without any aggressive intent.
Another commonly misunderstood behaviour is “grinning”. Some dogs will lift their lips and display their teeth when greeting people it considers friends. Grinning differs from snarling in that the dog lifts the lips straight up and not back. The dog will also be wagging its tail, so this will help to avoid confusion - Always observe the dog’s behaviour as a whole.
Appeasement/calming signals:
Norwegian dog trainer, Turid Rugaas, is renowned for her observation and explanation of “calming signals”, the body language that dogs use in order to avoid conflict. In a world gone mad on “dominance theory”, Turid’s work has great significance, as it reminds us that dogs are in fact generally not obsessed with fighting for rank and actually spend most of their lives avoiding confrontation and conflict. Here are some of the most easily recognisable calming signals:
1. Licking of the lips: Quite often one will observe a nervous dog licking its lips. A slightly bowed head and a gently wagging tail may accompany this behaviour. Owners often attribute this posture to the dog feeling guilty, but it is actually an attempt to placate an owner whose own body language is telling the dog that he is angry or uptight.
2. Tail Wagging: When a dog enjoys attention from people it will wag its tail to show that it is accepting of the way it is being handled. Tail wagging is often used when two dogs meet and indicates that all intentions are friendly. However, a tail held very high and wagging more slowly, may be an indicator that the dog is about to put another dog in its place!*
3. Yawning: This behaviour can often be seen when the dog is anxious or excited. If you observe dogs sitting in the vet’s waiting room, you will see that some of them will yawn frequently as they have negative associations with the vet. As their nervousness increases, tension builds up in their face muscles and yawning helps to relieve that tension.
4. Turning the head away/walking away: Dogs will often indicate that they are unwilling to enter into conflict by turning their heads away or walking away from another dog that is trying to make eye contact with them or is growling at them. My three dogs eat out of separate bowls placed near to each other. It is quite noticeable that the dog which finishes first will intentionally avoid eye contact with the other dogs that are still eating so that it is clear that he/she does not wish to challenge them for their food.
5. Sitting/lying down: Dogs can use sitting and lying down to placate others and indicate submission. Pups quite often roll over as well. Lying down makes the dog seem smaller and therefore less threatening, while rolling over exposes its more vulnerable areas (throat and belly) and allows the more assertive dog to investigate it thoroughly with his nose. Females will often sit as a calming signal for male dogs that are showing too much interest in them.
6. Sniffing the ground: When a dog does not wish to play or interact with other dogs or humans, it will sometimes walk away and begin to sniff the ground, showing great interest in the apparent smells and being careful to avoid eye-contact with those around it. Usually the dog or human that was trying to engage this dog in some or other activity will eventually give up and leave the dog alone. Adult dogs seem to use this signal a lot with playful pups.
7. Play Bow: Anyone who has a pup should have observed this behaviour when the pup meets another dog. After initial greetings (sniffing and tail-wagging), pups that wish to play will stretch out their front legs so that their chests virtually touch the ground and raise their hindquarters to display their wagging tails. This signal is carried on into adulthood as well. Sometimes it may be accompanied by high-pitched yapping. *
8. Walking in an arc when passing a person or dog: When a dog wants to avoid confrontation, it will arc away from the person or dog that it is passing. Sometimes dogs in obedience classes will do this during a recall if they have to pass a dog they are unsure of on the way to their owner.
9. Separating people/dogs: This is apparently used more by the herding breeds. The dog will usually run and place itself between two dogs that are playing or even fighting in order to prevent or end conflict between these two dogs. Often the dog will focus more on the aggressor, attempting to chase him/her away. Dogs can use this calming signal with humans as well.
10. Lifting of one paw: This is a classic appeasement gesture. It is also quite often seen in training when a dog has retrieved an article, wants to drop it, but is told by the handler to hold it - the conflict between what the dog wants to do and what it knows it must do in order to receive its reward creates mild stress and immediately the paw lifts up.
*While most of the signals above indicate mild stress and usually a wish to avoid something, tail-wagging and play bows indicate a willingness to engage in friendly contact.
Calming Signals and Socializing
It is not possible to over-emphasize the importance of socializing our dogs, particularly while they are young pups. However we need to be aware that some of the people or situations we expose our dogs to may cause them to experience anxiety. If you observe any avoidance related calming signals from your dog, examine how you can alter the situation in order to put him at ease. For example, if a person bends over your puppy and pats him on the head and your puppy turns away and licks his lips, ask the person to rather go down on their haunches and allow the puppy to go to them so that the experience is less threatening.
When out for a walk, you can also observe the body language of other dogs in order to determine which dogs may be suitable playmates for your dog. However, your dog will probably best determine this for himself, as he can read and speak his own language far better than you can! Remember, though, that you should also display calming signals during social encounters so that your dog sees that his “parent” is relaxed with the dogs he is interacting with.
Calming Signals and Obedience Training
I have already mentioned the retrieve and the recall as examples of exercises where dogs may use calming signals. If your dog moves in an arc when you recall him, it is also quite likely that he is trying to placate you and does not feel secure enough to approach you boldly from the front. If this is the case, try lightening the tone of your voice and crouching on your haunches so that you sound more encouraging and appear less threatening.
If you try to perform an exercise with your dog and he lies down instead, it is probably because he does not understand what is required of him and so resorts to a calming signal to avoid your displeasure. If your dog displays a lot of calming signals when you are training him, you are probably putting too much pressure on him and not having enough fun. Avoid stress by returning to simple exercises that your dog does well and use this as an excuse to praise him enthusiastically. A relaxed dog that enjoys training is a pleasure to work with. As a point of interest, it is often noted that dogs are more inclined to successfully complete a long down stay when they do so as a group. Perhaps this is because they observe the “lying down” calming signal in the dogs around them.
Calming signals and a few common problem behaviours
One of the most common problems in young dogs is jumping up at people. The “turning away”
signal can be used to show the dog that you do not wish to engage with it. This action on your part also means that the dog is not rewarded with any attention at all for jumping. Do not speak to, shout at or shove the dog at all - just turn away and ignore him.
Some dogs have difficulty settling down inside the house and their constant attention-seeking can be a nuisance. A combination of turning one’s head away and yawning usually helps to settle such dogs. Sit down in a comfortable chair and react to all attempts by the dog to get your attention by turning your head away. Close your eyes and yawn regularly with a wide open mouth. Even the most exuberant dogs have been known to lie down and go to sleep with this treatment. Patience is needed, as it can take time to achieve this. If you are reading, placing the book in front of your face can work just as well as turning your head away.
Dogs on leads quite often display seemingly aggressive behaviours towards one another and, although it is usually just posturing (all talk and no action), walking past strange dogs in public can be unpleasant. When you have to pass another dog use the “walking in an arc” calming signal to let both your dog and the other dog know that you wish to avoid conflict. In class I always ensure that during socialising exercises (handlers walk their dogs on lead around a line or circle of dogs without any reaction) inexperienced dogs are always positioned so that their handlers are between them and the other dogs. This makes use of the separating signal. (see picture)
Although dogs are born with the ability to use calming signals, socializing plays an important role in helping to develop these skills. Pups that are taken away from their moms too soon sometimes have difficulty in communicating effectively with other dogs later in life. Once you have adopted your pup, the best thing you can do for him is to allow him to interact with as many other pups and tolerant older dogs as possible. This will ensure that he is well-educated in “doggy-language” and will help him to avoid trouble later in life.