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Body language in a dog is most certainly how it tells you how it's feeling. Most of the time I talk about health and some nutrition with dogs. This time I am talking about how a dog tells you what it’s saying to you. During these blogs I will often say position matters. Not position in hierarchy but in the dog’s position. Where the dog is will highly determine the reaction he/she will give. Dog communicates its emotions through their body language. We do as well. A dog has facial expressions all the way down to the tail. They also are talking to you through their body language. That is one of the most missed pieces of communication when talking about the dog communication. They give you expressions when they’re scared, nervous, happy, confident, unsure, accepting, and when aggression hits. An excellent book on this topic is call CANINE BODY LANGUAGE BY BRENDA ALOFF. This is a picture by picture book that explains each picture. If you’re unsure what your dog is saying, then I’d encourage this book. This blog will be mostly a very vague interpretations of the language your dog constantly gives to you.
When a dog is scared, they will inhibit certain behaviors as tucking the tail pupils dilated, making themselves smaller by arching their backs and lowering their heads. Intense flicking of the tongue. In extreme cases of fear the dog will usually push into a wall or the floor for comfort. Most of the time when the dog is exhibiting these traits the flight response has been taken away or not available in that moment. In my experience when you see the dog behaving this way and there is no immediate threat to safety or well being of your dog, it is best to try and work through this problem. First identify what is causing your pup to be scared, next find a common area where the dogs fear has lessoned and is now able to take direction. Work with marking the behaviors of your dog exhibiting more playful or relaxed behaviors. A frightful dog is often very difficult. We most of the time know there’s nothing to be afraid of. So, we just push through even thought dog is not ready. This is a mistake. Never leave the are completely with your dog in that type of mindset. He/she will learn that fear works. Best to take your time and identify the cause and work through it. The best-case scenario is you leave, and the dog is okay with what it was originally scared of.
A nervous dog will be similar and act about the same as a scared dog, may result in pacing or looking for a way out. The flicking of the tongue will still be apparent, yawing will most likely occur with some vocals. You may see some behaviors of avoiding with body language such as, laying with back to everyone and dog facing wall. Facial expressions may seem stretched. Closed mouth or drool may happen. Tail may be tense and stretched down but may not be tucked between legs. During this behavior or emotion, it is very important to not make it worse by forcing the dog to keep going, but better to just wait him/her out until your dog settles. They’re not full-blown fear and should be taking some direction or treats from you at this point. Again, as before when you start to see the dog loosen up mark and reward with your reward system. This again, will help the dog understand that you are encouraging him to be a certain way and that they don’t have to be nervous.
A happy dog is all we want I believe. I’d much rather work with a happy dog even though I get tremendous amount of satisfaction on bringing a dog back from their emotional despair. A happy dog will often be loose, panting with a facial expression that may almost resemble a smile, tail wagging with whole body, jumping, whole body movements, very lively. Social, use with it’s nose. This behavior is what I believe we all strive for. When we have it sometimes I don’t think we appreciate it. From a training stand point all you have to do is shape and help clean up unwanted behaviors such as jumping and over excitement when ears on the dog seem not to work. Truth hear is you can add discipline as with fear you cannot. When a dog is happy you can let them know what you disagree with. They’re much more socially ready to accept something not happening positive to them. Although to keep the dog’s confidence and happy go lucky attitude you will want to always end on a good note and keep the amount of corrections to a minimum.
A confident dog may seem hard to train and stubborn. These are the guys to me that can be the most fun. This dog may seem to dance to the beat of its own drum. They often will seem like their mind is going a million miles a minute or they tend to get into trouble when no one is around. These guys tend to need to feel valued more than others. When I say feel valued not the dog who is rewarded but valued as in having purpose. This dog needs to clearly understand what its job is and will need things from you to help keep this dog motivated to play your game. This dog can take discipline but will often lose interest in the game if discipline happens to be the back bone of the training program. This dog likes to be considered a partner. They will seem and have many traits as a happy dog but will walk with a swagger and a confidence that in the body is a bit more stiff but loose. Tail is usually up a bit more than the happy dog. If you can get through to this type of dog, you will have your best friend. This type of dog will want treasure its down time as much as it will when working. They don’t need constant attention as they can get into trouble all on their own and be happy about it. This dog often knows your breaking point and can exploit it regularly. Again, patience with this type is key when training.
Just like anything. Your approach to the dog is what matters. If your dog is regularly scared or nervous, being patient and understanding will be your best friend. We must show them that it’s okay. They seldom will figure it out on their own. They need us. Even the happy dog, and confident dog need us. We become their safe place and the one that can provide to them. The confident dog is social and will always need a person to call their friend. Training a dog is about adding enrichment to their lives. It’s not about making a dog listening. Our dog must learn to survive in this fast-changing world that people live in. It is our job to guide them through this process. Dogs love being a dog. Don’t try and change them or project onto them more than that. For me when I say partner, I believe that they are superior in a lot of physical attributes that we don’t understand. We are superior in adaptability and complex thinking with emotions. That is why I love the term “Man’s best friend”. That highlights the partner part. We provide, and they provide.
Until next time!! Have a wonderful weekend!!
