Dog Talk: Wags Say More Than Woofs
How many times have you thought, “if only my dog could talk”? Wouldn’t it be fabulous to know what they are thinking? It’s pretty obvious a big kiss on the mouth seems to indicate affection for the owner or guest in the canine’s home – at least that’s how we humans interpret it. Surprise! Dogs can identify us by the scent of our breath, so in reality they may be doing a quick check to see if they know us.
Every time we return home we are greeted with love and excitement. I would be very surprised if most owners could not bring themselves to say they love their dog, and their dog loves them in return. Happiness – joy – seems to radiate from the majority of dogs much of the time. They have relaxed, open faces, and bodies that wiggle from the shoulders backward, including the tail, of course.
Scientists now firmly believe dogs do experience happiness. They have been programmed by domestication to have intense emotional reactions toward people; this lies at the root of the “unconditional love” many owners describe and treasure in their dogs. Such intense feelings are not easily turned off, as attested by the high proportion of dogs that hate being left alone – as many as one in five, according to surveys. Since we humans have programmed in this vulnerability, it is our responsibility to ensure that our dogs do not suffer as a result. This is a great reason to schedule a pet-sitter for your pups when you are away from home, as opposed to boarding them in a kennel. They -- to some degree -- will transfer the same excitement exhibited when you walk in the door to their temporary caregiver, leading to less stress for your fur baby until you return home.
The next time you want to decipher what Fido is “saying,” perhaps this guide to canine body language will come in handy.
Body low to the ground
The dog is worried about the outcome of an encounter and is trying to look as unthreatening as possible.
Standing tall
Confidence.
Low tail
The lower the tail, the less confident the dog; dogs in retreat will usually tuck their tail forward between their hind legs. Precisely where “low” is will vary from one dog to another, because selective breeding has affected where the normal, relaxed tail position is.
Upright tail with a wagging tip
This indicates interest.
Relaxed tail
If it is being wagged from side to side using movement of the whole back end of the dog, this indicates excitement and/or a desire to play.
Slow tail wagging
Some dogs perform an exaggerated slow swish of their tails when they are contemplating aggression.
Rigid back
This can indicate a low level of fear or anxiety, although some breeds have naturally stiff backs.
Rounded-up back
This may indicate indecision -- the dog looks as though its back legs are trying to move forward while its front legs are trying to stand still.
Ears pricked forward
Ears are easy to read in some dogs, harder in others; but even in breeds with rather rigid ears the muscles at the base of the ear may show what the dog is trying to say. Ears pricked forward suggest alertness and interest.
Ears pulled back
They are an indication of anxiety, and, if flattened as well, fear.
Tense eyebrows
Indication of threat, often accompanied by a fixed stare. In some dogs, this tension will also result in the whites of the eyes becoming more visible.
Looking away
A dog wishing to dissociate from an interaction will often turn its head away so it is at a right angle to the others.
Loose mouth
Relaxed dogs hold their mouth slightly open when interacting with other dogs.
Shut mouth
Indicates a tense dog.
Bared teeth
This can mean both fear and anger alike; the rest of the dog's body language, from the ears backwards, should provide clues as to which.
Friendly “grin”
Which looks like a “smile,” with teeth slightly bared. This is the position of the mouth in the affiliation display, though many dogs will use it as a signal in its own right when interacting with people, presumably because it has been rewarded by extra attention.
Head on side
This “cute” pose is likewise not a species-typical signal but, rather, a posture some dogs learn because it evokes a rewarding response from their owner.
For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.
Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
