Body language of dogs
The body language of dogs are the postures and behaviors of dogs indicate their emotions and intentions.[1][2][3] In some instances, the recognition of specific postures and behaviors can be learned.[4] The postures of dogs can indicate acceptance and aggression.
Tail
The tail of a dog can communicate a number of emotions and intentions.[5] Tail wagging by dogs is familiar to those who interact with them. Considerable effort has been put in to describing this aspect of dog behavior. When a dog wags its tail, most people interpret this as the dog expressing happiness and friendliness. Though indeed tail wagging can express these positive emotions, tall wagging is also an indication of fear, insecurity, the challenging of dominance, establishing social relationships or a warning sign that the dog may bite. Recognizing the body language of dogs can help to avoid bites.[6]
Ears
When a dog has its ears erect but not facing forward, this can mean that the dog is relaxed and can be approached. When the ears are erect and directed forward, this may indicate that the dog is in an increased state of alertness or may be curious. When a dog flattens its ears, pointed backward (if it can) this may indicate fear, aggressiveness, stress, being worried, or submission [5]
Head and body
A dog communicates by altering the position of its head. When the head is held in an erect position this could indicate that is approachable, attentive, curious, or aggression. The body position that a dog has is also an indicator of what the dog is communicating. The head can be held in a high position convey being approachable, alert, aggressive, or displaying dominance. The dog can alter its body position so that the front of the body is in a crouched position with the front legs lower than the back legs. This can indicate a higher level of aggression that can be the precursor to an attack. If this position is accompanied by snarling, a wrinkled nose, dilated pupils, the tail tucked under the body and between the back legs, and the raised hair on the dog's back, the dog is highly aggressive and fearful. [5]
Body position
External links
- Images of dog body language
- The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Canine Body Language Webinar
- National Geographic, Reading A Dog's Signals
References
- ↑ "How to Avoid a Dog Bite -Be polite and pay attention to body language". The Human Society of the United States. 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
- ↑ https://sdhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Dog-bite-prevention.pdf
- ↑ "Not reading body language of dogs and humans".
- ↑ "Nothing found for 2017 04 27 California Bill Would Mandate Training For Police Officers On Dealing With Dogs".
- 1 2 3 4 "How To Read Your Dog's Body Language". Dog Magazine. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ↑ Coren, Stanley (December 5, 2011). "What a Wagging Dog Tail Really Means: New Scientific Data Specific tail wags provide information about the emotional state of dogs". Psychology Today. Retrieved April 30, 2017.