by Lolly Lijewski

Created on: August 02, 2008

DOG PSYCHOLOGY:
DOG'S BEHAVIOR EXPLAINED

As the man started to cross the street, he noticed a black dog on a leash with its handler coming toward him. He stiffened, and gave them a wide birth. This scene gets repeated many times over in canine/human interactions all around the world.

People generally perceive a new interaction with a dog based on their previous experiences. This is why when some people see a dog coming their way, they smile and unknowingly give the oncoming dog "calming signals," while others react out of fear and avoid the dog and its handler.

Calming signals are the way dogs communicate with each other. If humans learn these signals, they can more accurately interpret dog behavior and improve the way they communicate with their dogs .

For example; a common misconception is that a wagging tail means a dog is happy. Sometimes this is true but not always. Norwegian behaviorist, Turid Rugaas, studies dog's body language. Her book, "On Talking Terms With Dogs," http://www.canis.no/rugaas/ is a great guide to begin to understand how dogs talk to each other and to their humans.

If a dog's tail is wagging fast, and the dog is licking the corners of its mouth, it may be anxious or insecure. It may be saying, "Is everything OK?" If a dog's tail is wagging slowly, and its body is relaxed, it may be saying, "I feel happy."

Dogs have approximately 30 different calming signals they use to communicate with each other. These signals are designed to help them avoid conflict.

When dogs lived in packs, they cannot afford to have conflict so they became keen observers of the smallest change in behavior; a turn of the head, ears in a relaxed position to pulled back, a slightly open mouth to a lip curled up over the teeth. This is the language they developed.

Some signals that humans use often when communicating with their dogs, and that dogs find threatening from their humans; reaching for the dog straight on, bending over the dog, and staring into the dog's eyes. These are all perceived by the dog as cause to be wary. The dog will often use a calming signal to defuse what it perceives as possible conflict. http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1

Licking is another common calming signal. Dogs may lick their nose, or flick their tongue quickly, or lick the corners of their mouth. This can be a sign of stress, or it can be interpreted as a sign of up easement. Dogs will always respond to a calming signal with another calming signal. http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1

It' s

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>