COMMUNICATION DOG

Most humans (with the great cooperation of their dog) work to teach their dog human language. Despite the dogs incredible ability to understand human language, dogs cannot speak it. It is therefore the humans responsibility to learn dog language so that communication can be mutual. The following will help you understand canine language, the first step in understanding your dog. Both you and your dog will benefit from the increase in communication. There are four basic components of dog language: Visual, Olfactory, Auditory, and Physical language. THE EYES HAVE IT OR DO THEY? Dogs eyes work quite differently from humans. Dogs dont see colors the way we do although dogs can be trained to distinguish between colors. Dogs see in only two true colors and they arent black and white. Dogs actually see in shades of blue and green. This allows them to have better night vision and even though they dont see as much detail as we can under normal lighting, it is easier for them to see hidden objects like bunnies in bushes. A dogs vision works great at a distanceespecially if they have had plenty of opportunities as puppies to focus on far away objectsbut they cannot focus clearly on an object closer than 25 centimeters. This is where the nose comes in handy. The sense of smell is also important because when bushes and trees surround you it can be very hard to see your companions or your prey. THE NOSE KNOWS: The human nose is not only extraordinarily weak in comparison to the dogs, but it is also color blind. Dogs possess approximately two hundred million olfactory cells, compared to the five million found in humans. The dogs more densely packed cells communicate with a greater percentage of brain than ours. This portion of brain is dedicated to interpreting their olfactory data, which is beyond the mere forty to one ratio of cells. In fact a dogs sense of smell may be upwards of one million times superior to mans. With a nose this keen, they can smell you coming from over thirty yards away. A dogs sense of smell is not only more powerful than a human's, but also more finely tuned. A dog can get a great deal of information from a single scent. Dogs are constantly leaving information in the form of urine, feces, saliva and a variety of other bodily secretions, and are constantly receiving information by investigating these same smells. For example: when Buddy sniffs where another dog has urinated, he can tell how old the other dog is, what sex the dog is, the approximate size of the dog, and the health of the dog. If the dog was a female, Buddy will know if she was in heat or not. Buddy will get a thorough mental picture of the other dog and from then on be able to recognize that dogs smell should he come across it again -- He will even be able to recognize the dog if he should chance to meet it in person. Why is this important to humans? Well first, it's nice to know that the reason Buddy is sniffing everyone so thoroughly when they come to visit - is because he is reading them like a newspaper. He doesnt just smell their dog - but where they were earlier that day, what they stepped in, who they were with, what they ate for lunch, and of course, them. Humans produce pheromones. Pheromones produce an odor that advertises our emotional state; fear, sadness, etc. This odor changes with our moods. Dogs can also smell your physical wellness. Thus a dog can smell whatever emotional and/or physical state you happen to be wearing. Because of the dogs keen sense of smell, it is a good idea not to wear heavy perfumes (especially if musk scented) when meeting a new dog, as it can confuse and/or cause undesirable behaviors. HEAR! HEAR! Vocalization is not just a human form of communication. You will find that your dog may howl, talk to you, perform several types of whining noises, yips, growls, moans, and of course, bark.
Copyright 2004 by Megan Randolph

In fact there are over 4600 different vocalizations made by dogs. These are forms of verbal communication. We know that when a dog is in distress they will whine, whimper and/or yelp. Growling may be an indication that the dog has antagonistic intentions, doesn't like what is currently happening, or wants to play. Barking serves a variety of functions: a threat and an alarm call and even a call for attention from the owner. Howls also may have many meanings: loneliness, a call to the pack, an advertisement of territory, joy/excitement, the desire to sing. Most of these only become clear when we look at the physical context of what is taking place and decipher from the dogs body language what the true meaning of the vocalization is. For example, a growl at another dog may mean, I dont like you and will attack you if you come any closer. On the other hand it may also mean, Im afraid, back off, Im not ready to play yet. If we pay attention we may be able to know the difference between a yip of frustration and a yip of joy. It is also nice to know when they are telling you that someone unfamiliar is approaching or if it is a familiar friend. If you pay attention to your dog, you will be able to tell the difference between his bark for a squirrel in the yard and that for the neighbor. His barks will take on meaning, as will many of his other vocalizations. This can really help to increase the bond and understanding between dog and human. Humans are capable of interpreting some of the meanings of dog vocalizations, however, our canine companions get far more information from these sounds. A dogs sense of hearing is highly developed. A sound that a human can hear at a hundred yards, a dog can hear over a quarter of a mile away. Dogs not only hear better, but they also hear more than humans do. They are far more sensitive to pitch than humans and are capable of hearing ultrasonic sounds that we cannot hear at all. Dogs can not only hear things humans cannot but they can pinpoint where the sound is coming from thanks to their mobile ear pinnas - a physical trait that humans simply do not have. Knowing that dogs communicate with vocalizations and that they are extremely sensitive to sound, gives you a better reason to listen to the various types of vocalizations your dog performs. The more you listen, the more you will know what Buddy is trying to say to you. Please keep in mind that just because Buddy is very sensitive to sound and pitch changes, this does not mean that he automatically understands human vocal language. You still must teach him what you mean when you say what you want. Just like with any human, it takes time to learn the language. LETS GET PHYSICAL: This is the most widely understood and misunderstood part of dog language. Most humans think of body language as fear/submission or aggression/dominance behavior - OR - they assume that the dog is happy or sad/guilty. These are very broad categories that cant begin to cover the true meaning of most of your dog's body signals. Humans often have a serious void in communication with their dog and yet this is one aspect humans can get a fairly good grasp of. This is also a very complex part of dog communication and is instinctual to dogs. Body language is extremely versatile and often very subtle. No human is fully capable of speaking it fluently even if they totally understand it, just as a dog may understand many of our vocalizations but not be able to use our words. Dogs use their ears, tails and facial expressions, as well as body posturing. Some breeds are disadvantaged in their ability to effectively communicate with other members of the dog world and can get very frustrated. These handicaps are in the ear, tail and face areas. All dogs are descended from wolves and all wolves have prick ears, accenting facial markings and long, straight tails. Many of todays dogs have cropped tails or tails that are stuck up in a tight curl over their backs. Many dogs have facial marking that dont particularly accent their eyes, ears or muzzles or have no facial markings at all. Many dogs also have ears that flop over and hang down. Each of these is a communication handicap. This will not only make it harder for you to understand such a disadvantaged dog, but it makes it more difficult for dogs to understand each other and can be frustrating. Tails: Tail positions have many meanings.
Copyright 2004 by Megan Randolph

A tail held low for example, can be submissive, sad, fearful, tired or reluctant. We can usually recognize the fearful tail as, in general, it is held up between the legs. A tail in the mid position (generally held somewhat parallel to the ground) may be curious, happy, exploratory or just the norm. A tail in the high position (usually up over the back or as close as the animal can get to that) might be excited, aggressive, or alert.

How does one know which it is? Well, you have to look at more than just his tail and you will have to begin to really observe your animals behavior in order to learn his signals. It is also important to check out a few other factors like; is it swinging slowly side-to-side? Is it wagging energetically? Is it perfectly still? Ears: Ear position have many meanings as well.
Ears flat back can show respect, fear, or submission. Ears straight up and forward are alert, eager, excited and can be aggressive. Ears out wide to the side usually mean, "I want to play" Ears out to the side that droop are used for expressing dissatisfaction.

Head Positions: Head positions help tell what a pup is thinking.

When Daisy wants to play with a smaller dog or puppy, she may put her head on the floor and move just her head from side to side or she will put her nose straight down and knock him over with the side of her face. Daisy may stretch her neck out long and low when meeting new dogs. If she sees something she's not sure about or gets startled enough to back up, her head may go up and lead the way as it backs up over her shoulders. If Daisy is intensely curious, but cautious she may let her head get way ahead of her body and stretches her neck out long and level with her shoulders. Daisy might cock her head to the side when listening to the TV or stereo. Daisy may stretch it up tall and perfectly still if she sees something interesting across the way. Daisy may also carry it down low when she seeks a cooler piece of floor or is trying to stuff her body into yours for some loving.

Facial Expressions: Their faces, eyebrows and foreheads, are also very expressive.
Buddy may cock an eyebrow at something unusual Buddy may raise both his eyebrows when you have a particularly good treat to give him, or he wants to play. He may also use his eyebrows in anger, scrunching them up in the middle of his eyes. Buddy may look terribly sad and hungry when begging and giving you those big puppy-dog eyes.

Eyes: Eyes are very important to observe.

You may witness a dogs hard/intense stare, which can mean a multitude of things from, Oh that looks yummy, to What do you want me to do next, to If you move Ill bite you. A half-closed lid when resting, makes it look as if Buddy isn't paying attention to much of anything or is very sleepy, but he can snap himself wide awake and up off the floor in less than a second. Eyes are open wide (but not wild) when dogs are excited, want to play or are very curious.

Mouths: Let us not forget to observe their mouths as well. Many dogs smile.
Showing teeth can be a fear grimace or the happy smile of a dog who has been smiled at and likes to smile back Many dogs have an open-mouthed grin often accompanied with a panting laugh. Some dogs slightly curl their lips with their mouths closed when they are getting loved on or are happy.

Body Positions: Besides facial expressions, dogs use their bodies to convey messages:
Lowering their chests and/or exhibiting pawing behavior when they want to play Lowering the entire body when being submissive Raising hackles to look larger when fearful, or trying to intimidate
Copyright 2004 by Megan Randolph

Crouching down on all four legs in a fearful gesture Rolling belly up in submission and/or urinating on oneself. Pouncing each other or jumping like a deer to get someone interested in a good romp You may also see them running to and from each other to inspire a game of chase. Dogs also use their bodies to lean against someone until the other has to move away from the pressure A neck or paw on the back to push one down or more subtly just resting there until the other moves away Even mounting each other can be a sign of status, or overexcitement, its rarely sexual.

It is important in determining a dogs intentions to pay attention to all of these attributes. Check out the combination and you will grasp more of the meaning Buddy is trying to convey. For example: a dog that is growling at you with teeth bared, ears back, tail tucked, and body lowered is a dog that wants you to go away and will probably not attack if you back off. On the other hand a dog growling with teeth bared, ears forward, tail up and still, and body alert with head held high or forward is not afraid and very well may attack even if you back away. Dogs are master communicators. They speak so well with their bodies that it is possible to see clearly how stressed, anxious, frightened, aggressive, playful, happy, friendly, supplicating, etc. Buddy is. It is extremely beneficial to understand dog body language. Humans can actually use some of the same gestures to communicate with Buddy for example: to initiate a game, relax Buddy, or back him off should he become pushy. Enhancing Your Calm (Putting It All Together): In many cases you will find Buddy offering very specific types of body signals. Buddy may use these signals for a multitude of communications including: Calming himself, another animal, or keeping a situation calm. In dog society body language is almost always understood and returned with humans body signals are often misinterpreted and instead of helping Buddy, they may actually get him into more trouble. If you learn these signals you will not only be able to understand more of what Buddy is communicating to you but you can use many of these signals in return to help Buddy feel more at ease. This can be especially helpful during training, vet visits, rides in the car, or any situation where Buddy has something to say. Humans often tend to use body and verbal signals that are threats without being aware of it. Once you recognize Buddy responses, you can immediately offer him signals to reduce the threat and create a more enjoyable atmosphere making his response to you more effective. CALMING SIGNALS: This is a list of specific behaviors you may see Buddy (or any other canine) offering. Sliding eyes to the side. A direct stare in dog language is usually interpreted as a challenge and avoided by most. If you look directly into Buddy eyes he is likely to slide his eyes away. If you train him to look you in the eyes for attention purposes, he may look you in the eyes then away and back again many times. Turning of the head. If sliding the eyes isnt enough to appease the threatening party, an entire head turn will be offered. This has the same purpose its just a grander gesture. Turning the whole body to the side. This too can be an upgrade of the eye slide to avoid a direct stare. It is often used however, when first approached by a stranger. Humans are especially rude when they approach canines head on a slight turn or complete turn of the body is intended to get the aggressive person to relax. Turning his back to you. If Buddy is frightened enough to turn his entire back to you beware touch his hindquarters and you may get bitten. This is an extremely anxious animal and he is
Copyright 2004 by Megan Randolph

hoping that if he looks completely disinterested you will go away. Licking his lips/nose. This is a very common signal and is often accompanied with averting the gaze. This is a signal you can do in response to look less threatening Licking and/or biting himself. Though this is usually a way to look less threatening it can also be used to make a perceived threat see Buddy as not worth the effort or even for Buddy to try to appease himself. Yawning. Generally this is one of the first signals you will see. It is one way for Buddy to look nonchalant. It is a way to look sleepy, relaxed, or disinterested in hopes that the threat will recognize that there is no purpose in pursuing an aggressive encounter. This is an easy gesture for you to imitate. Stretching. This serves the same purpose as the yawn; it is just a more dramatic display. Sneezing. This is often used when two animals have been physically close and then separate. It usually means, See, just playing. This isnt a real fight. Sniffing the ground. Again a signal that says, Im no threat to you Im disinterested, Im busy doing other things, there is no point in attacking me. Waging his tail. You know from the previous section on tails that this is a very versatile device and has many meanings. A low to the ground tail wag with other supplicating body postures is generally used to say, Please dont hurt me. Walking slowly, using slow movements. If you call Buddy to you and you seem impatient or angry he will probably slow down in hopes of getting you to relax. He will also use this when approaching a stranger. Curving (walking in a curve instead of a direct line). If Buddy slowed down coming to you and you call him again even angrier, he may begin to curve away from you in order to calm you down. You also will see this when he approaches strange dogs. Freezing. An often misinterpreted signal. If you call Buddy to you and he slowed then began to curve and you are now really impatient or angry he may very well freeze in his tracks. He would not be silly enough to walk toward a threat. Sitting down. This is a pose that is completely non-threatening. The hope is if Buddy is not a threat, the other animal/person will stop threatening him. Lying down in sphinx position. This is much like sitting, but a grander gesture. Scratching the ground. Much like sniffing it makes Buddy look uninterested. Shaking/shivering. This is a definite signal saying Im quite frightened. If Im shaking and shivering I cant possibly be a threat to you. Splitting up (going physically between dogs or people that get too close or tense). This is when Buddy says Hey you guys are really making me nervous. He wants the two animals to back away from each other. He is probably trying to prevent a fight. However, there are times that Buddy may split up animals/people because he feels that one of them belongs to him and doesnt want to share. Goofing around. This is one way that Buddy can make himself look like a puppy and hopefully be safer. A clown is funny, entertaining and certainly not something that one wants to harm. Im Not Scary: This is a list of behaviors you will see Buddy (or any other canine) offering when he is trying to show another animal that he is not a threat. Included is one interpretation of what Buddy is probably trying to say when he does the following behaviors. You may see other, similar meanings in differing situations. Yawning. How can you be afraid of me when Im so relaxed? Sniffing the ground. See I cant be a threat to you Im busy.
Copyright 2004 by Megan Randolph

Waging tail. Im friendly not frightening. Freezing. I wont move. This will give you an opportunity to sniff me out and see that I dont intend to harm you. Play position. See, I just want to play with you. I wont hurt you Im a friendly guy. Sneezing. This means, See, just playing. This isnt a real fight. It can also be used simply as a way to look very non-threatening. Sitting down. I cant attack if Im sitting. See, Im not a threat at all. Lying down in sphinx position. Im such an easy going guy that I dont even have to stand. Im so relaxed, you should be too. Stretching. How can you be anything but comfortable with me? Im so calm I could take a nap. Scratching the ground. Im too preoccupied with other things to be a threat to you. Looking away. I wont make eye contact and you will know that Im not challenging or threatening you. Curving (walking in a curve instead of a direct line). I wont approach you head on and then you will know my intentions arent threatening. High pitched yipping. Please, please play with me. Whining. Cant you see Im just a baby too? Please play with me. I wont hurt you. Goofing around. Im just a big silly, how can you possibly think Id harm you? It is important to note that many of these behaviors are used on a regular basis even if Buddy isnt feeling threatened. There are times when Buddy will use these signals simply as a show of respect for you and your position of leader (assuming that he thinks you are the leader). Stressed Out: The following is a list of stress behaviors to look for. If Buddy is offering these behaviors you may offer some of the above behaviors to help calm him. Usually stress comes about in a new environment, an unfamiliar situation or with new humans/animals. Notice that some of these signals are the same as those intended to calm a threatening animal/human. If feeling nervous, threatened or fearful in a situation or circumstance Buddy will let you know. Yawning. As with feeling threatened by someone Buddy may feel threatened by a situation and offer this same behavior. Shaking/shivering. Buddy may do this when cold, but more frequently this is a sign of stress. Pacing and fidgeting. An anxious dog, like an anxious human may not be able to sit calmly and begin to pace or fidget. Panting. There are times when Buddy will pant because he is hot or has been playing hard. However, he isnt likely to be hot if youre not, therefore, the panting is stress related. Clacking. Some dogs will clack their teeth, a single or multiple clacks fast or slow, for many this is a behavioral pacifier when stressed. Whining. This behavior is prominent in young puppies that are left alone. It also works for lots of dogs and you may see this under various stressful situations especially if crying gets you to reward them with some attention. Licking and/or biting himself. This may be in order to try to calm/pacify himself Digging. This can be in an attempt to get away or a behavioral pacifier like licking or chewing. Chewing. This is usually a behavioral pacifier like nail biting assuming that it is stress related and not attention seeking or boredom. Barking. Can be a way to communicate frustration to try to get the fearful person/situation to go away or to get help. Be aware that barking can also be a sign of boredom or attention seeking. Copyright 2004 by Megan Randolph 6

Growling. Under stressful conditions this is usually a sign that Buddy has started to feel backed into a corner or trapped. Drooling. Under stressful conditions, Buddy may feel that he cant defend himself or get away and his panic may turn him into a jellyfish (spineless creature). It can also be a sign that he has panicked himself and is working himself up until he is literally sick. It can also be a sign of motion sickness in the car. Hiding (trying to get under or behind something). If the situation seems too much to handle Buddy may try to avoid it altogether by getting out of it. Mouthing/Pawing/Jumping on you. Buddy may be hoping that you will rescue him, or think that you are the only safe zone in the area. Shaking (like when wet). If this behavior is frequent it can be a sign of stress keep in mind that it is common to shake off water, after being petted (probably to put the fur back in place) and upon waking. Losing concentration - short attention span. A sudden loss of ability to concentrate can be a sign of stress. Using displacement behavior when asked to perform (fooling around). As with trying to be less threatening or getting someone to leave him be he may start fooling around in order to change the stressful situation. Mounting. Some dogs may mount certain objects, such as pillows or stuffed toys in order to relieve their stress. A sudden attack of dandruff. Many dogs put into unfamiliar situations or with unfamiliar people/animals will suddenly develop dandruff that will go away just as suddenly when they return to a familiar or safe place. There are also signs of long-term stress. If Buddys environment is stressful for a prolonged period of time (this could be as short as one day) you may begin to see these more serious signs of stress. Looking unhealthy losing the shine to his coat losing his coat Loosing his appetite Eliminating more often than normal Overreaction to everyday things (for instance the doorbell, a dog walking by) Diarrhea Increase in body odor and/or bad breath Excessive panting (leading to dehydration) Vomiting Self-mutilation Obsessive Compulsive Disorders Sudden aggression in a normally passive dog There are specific things that are likely to cause Buddy to stress out. These are things you well may be able to eliminate or at least control. Direct threats (by us or other dogs) Too much exercise, especially for a young pup Too little exercise and activity Hunger and/or thirst Pain and illness Too much noise. Buddy does need some quiet time. Being alone
Copyright 2004 by Megan Randolph

Sudden scary situations. A trip to the vet first ride in the car a gun shot etc. Sudden life changes. Moving New dog New baby loss of a friend etc. Violence, anger, aggression in his environment Yelling, fighting, slamming things, etc. Not having access to outside when he needs it (especially for the purpose of eliminating). Aggressive training with jerking his lead, pushing or pulling him. Too much overexcited playing, with a toy or other dogs. Never being able to relax, always being disturbed. Once you understand your dog's language better - you will be able to understand your dog better. Using Buddy language to your best ability will give you better control over stressful and anxious moments in his life. You won't offer one yawn and presto Buddy is happy go lucky. It may take 15 to 30 minutes to relax him. However, just like with any behavior that you are trying to learn, the more you practice the better you will become. It may take several days or even weeks to get Buddy to relax during specific stressful situations. Body language, as you can see is indeed a rich language. Though it is essential that you spend time observing Buddy and learning his language, this language needs to be more than just observed. You must use what you know and put it into practice. This means learning that your body talks to Buddy more than your mouth. You need to learn to know what you are saying. Buddy will read your body and know what it says even if your words dont match it. When you tell Buddy you love him make sure your facial expression and body language match this sentiment or hell know you don't mean it. Dont act sad or nervous when giving instructions. If you bend over your pup, you may be too overbearing and can frighten an animal that youre trying to coax into coming closer or doing a trick. Since we smile, showing our teeth when we are happy, it is important to smile for your pup as well. Let him know you are happy with him, that you like what he is doing, give him a reason to look at your face. Yelling at Buddy will not teach him what you want him to learn. Dogs do not yell. Yelling is like barking and shows that you are frustrated and may frighten your dog if he believes you are about to attack him. Be sure you are clear. Instruct Buddy what TO DO rather than what NOT to do (i.e. tell him go get your bone instead of dont chew my sock.) Most importantly, remember to reinforce desired behaviors so that he will want to continue doing those things that please you. Buddy will learn many of your words and phrases in his attempt to communicate with you. If you learn his body language, in order to better understand him - and use body language to help Buddy understand what you want from him, it will be easy for him to understand you even if you use long sentences like this one.

Copyright

2004 by Megan Randolph