Understanding Dog Talk
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Imagine yourself in a foreign country where no one speaks English and you want help to either go somewhere or find something that you need. Nobody can understand what you are saying , so they just stand around speaking gibberish at you. This is the situation dogs face each day. Dogs have their own language in which they communicate with each other and try to communicate with humans. To them, their subsequent behaviour is always sane since they do not notice that we might fail to understand what they are saying. So a key to making the maximum of your relationship with your dog is to realize this language exists and to be able to translate it sufficiently well to understand what your dog’s wants.
Dogs communicate in several ways; by sound, by scent and thru face expressions and body language. A dog’s sense of smell is much more acute than humans and is the main method of identifying who they are meeting with. That is the reason why dogs sniff one another and humans when they first meet. In dog talk subtle variations in movements and stance can imply different things. For example, tail wagging. Most humans accept that when a dog wags its tail it is cheerful or excited to see you. However that’s not always accurate. When dogs are thrilled to see someone they wag their tail more to the right side of their rump but when they’re scared or uncomfortable, the tail may still wag but the movement is more to the left. Slow, tight wagging is frequently a signal to keep away and a sign of pending aggression.
Failure to accurately understand what a dog is announcing is one of the most significant reasons for what humans see as “bad” dog behaviour. Dogs are always talking with us and here are several examples of how to translate this “Dogish” language:
How dogs say “You had me at howdy”
Dogs demonstrate submission primarily thru body language,eg head down, laid back ears and diverted eyes. Lying down with the hind leg lifted exposing the genital area, chest and neck is even a stronger sign.
How dogs say “I am king of the Earth”
A true alpha dog is usually a calm and assured dog. A dog demonstrates dominance by standing tall and erect, ears erect or forward and tail pointing directlyout from the body. Eyes are opened, staring with a unwavering gaze. This dominant behaviour is found with small dogs just as regularly large ones.
How dogs say “Go Ahead Make My Day”
If the hair on the dog’s back is bristled, along with an extended glare, rigid pointing tail and clenched teeth you may be sure that the dog is issuing a threat. There also may even be a low growl. Take it as a alert.
How dogs say “A census taker once attempted to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.”
Leaning forward, hair bristling, eyes narrow, nose wrinkled, teeth exposed and possible snapping are evidence of increasing aggression and signals that the dog is preparing to attack.
How dogs say “You talkin to me?”
Ears perked up and forward, eyes open and shining, tail up and wagging, body stiff and a touch raised up are all signs that the dog is focused and is listening to you.
How Dogs say “I feel the need, the need for speed”
When a dog is about to take off and begin running either in chase or play, the ears will be perked up and forward pointing. The eyes will be totally open, the tail will be low and the body crouched and balanced for action. The mouth might be a touch open and the dog could be panting or giving off excited yips.
All these signs will vary with individual dogs and most will learn extra signals from their owners and other dogs. As an example we taught our Australian Shepherd to shake hands and fed her treats as a reward. Now whenever she wants a treat she lifts her paw. Our Standard Poodle noted this and now lifts her paw as a signal for treats also. Owners who are close to and spend some time with their pets will soon develop their own secret and non-public language.
Bob Long is an engineer and writer who has shared his life with lots of dog companions. He now lives in Texas with his wife, 2 youngsters and 5 dogs. He has multiple websites on different subjects including the Best Dogs For Residences and the Best Family Dogs.
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Tags: how dogs communicate, how to talk to dogs, learn to talk to dogs