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Dog Body Language - Part II
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BASIC ELEMENTS OF DOG BODY LANGUAGE:
Ears:
- Pulled back or flattened are either expressing fear or submission
- Ears held at side of head in an “airplane” position are expressing confusion and uncertainty
- Ears alternately flicking and slightly forwards and then flattened indicate investigation and interest
- Ears forward signify interest or confidence
- Ears in the neutral position are relaxed
Eyes:
- A direct stare indicates a challenge. Dominance and confidence
- Eyes averted signify fear, evasion or submission
- Blinking is a “calming signal” which I will go more into below
- Looking at you through a corner of the eye is often a coy invitation to play or solicit your attention without being rude.
- When pupils are large, this indicates arousal
Mouth:
- Relaxed and panting is neutral
- A C-shaped tall snarl is offensive aggression
- Corners of mouth pulled back indicates fear or submission
- Corners of mouth pulled back and teeth exposed indicates fearful aggression and or defensiveness
- Mouth pursed and possibly a “round” vocalization expresses playfulness
- Mouth pursed with silence or a low growl equals investigation, uncertainty or possible defensiveness
- Front teeth bared in a “smile” with wrinkled nose accompanied by sneezing or head bowing is submission and friendliness
Tail:
- Tail up and curved around back-dominance
- Tail horizontal but not stiff-relaxed investigation
- Tail horizontal and slightly stiff- caution
- Tail held relaxed- neutral
- Tail pulled sharply down and possibly wagging slightly- distress or discomfort
- Tail pulled down- insecurity
- Tail tucked between legs- fear or submission
- Bristling hair on tail- threatening
- Bristling hair on only tip of tail- stress
- A sharp bend in tail- dominance and/or aggression
- A slight wag-a pacifying submissive gesture
- A broad wag- friendliness or play
- A wild wagging of the tail- I like you or I’m interested
- A broad wag that actually moves the hips- respective submission
- A slow wag- confusion or uncertainty
Next: Full Body Language...
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Lex Fredericks is a Registered Veterinary Assistant/OTJ Veterinary Nurse and dog trainer who lives in Toronto. She has worked with and trained wolves, big cats, bears and primates for film and originally began learning training dogs and learning about the language of animals at the age of 7 with Hungarian grandfather and horse/dog devotee George Egon Fallus. She currently lives with a Bullmastiff rescued from gang violence, a Presa Canario, a mastiff cross rescued from British Columbia, a rescued wolf hybrid, a rehabilitated feral cat, and cat she and her husband rescued with the Vancouver police. She can be reached at her website, http://www.TorontoDogTraining.com
Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Canine-Body-Language-101&id=484153
This document last modified Friday, 01-Aug-2008 20:21:26 EDT
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