Sitting – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Sep 22, 2017 | Dog Body Language

Sitting – Dog Body Language

In dog body language, sitting is a very clear body language signal that is unmistakably visible when offered. It may be used to communicate clearly to another dog that no harm is intended. It could be offered as a gesture of goodwill to a dog that may be feeling a bit uncomfortable within an interaction, or it may be used to calm an interaction down.

Here are a couple of examples of situations where a dog may offer a sit:

A young pup is interacting with a variety of passing adult dogs in an off lead area. She is keen to interact and greet each passing dog but finds herself a bit out of her depth at times, so I can see why she may have chosen to sit as a strategy of communication when greeting. Still honing her skills of polite greetings, she wavers between being slightly unsure and obviously nervous, which may come across in her bounding about in a playful puppy manner at times if a situation becomes a little awkward. With this particular interaction, an adult dog is rather pushy with his greeting. The adult dog approaches the puppy quickly, coming in quite close to her. His tail is wagging really fast, his ears are to the side and slightly raised, and his head is up. He tries to sniff the puppy’s face and back and keeps bumping into her while attempting to place his chin on her shoulder. His movements are jerky and quite fast. This behaviour could be interpreted as bullying. She immediately chooses to sit, crouching down slightly. Her ears are back, and with soft, blinking eyes, she attempts several head turns. Interestingly, at this point a third dog intervenes to split the pair, moving the adult dog on. Perhaps both the puppy and the adult dog are struggling and do not have the skills to cope with the interaction. Read more about splitting behaviour in this relating story.
Two dogs approach each other in a curve to greet. One dog pauses, whilst the other dog stops and sniffs the face of the first dog. As she gently sniffs around his face, he does a head turn. They both curve around, and she sniffs underneath him and then starts sniffing his rear end. He does quick head turns and keeps his eye on her. She sniffs his rear end for a while. He takes a few steps away and sniffs the ground, but she follows and continues sniffing. He does a lip lick, his ears are slightly back, and, with his body slightly crouched, he curves around to look back at her. He decides to sit, and then she curves away, walking on to sniff an area nearby. The message is clear: he sits to communicate his discomfort with the prolonged sniffing and wants to calm the situation. She listens to his clear message and decides to walk away and give him a bit more space.
There is a dog sitting quite still in the corner of the room, at the far end. He is avoiding eye contact with anyone in the room and is choosing to stay as far away as possible. He is not feeling comfortable and is trying to be as inconspicuous as he can because he does not wish to interact. Another dog tries to befriend him. She approaches slowly in a curve but tries to sniff his face. He snaps at her, giving her a warning to back off. Immediately afterwards, he turns his head away and remains still. She hops away from the snap, gives him space, and sits a distance away, avoiding any eye contact and keeping her body parallel and side-on to him. She sits for a while, hoping this will calm the situation and he will realize she means no harm. He continues to keep his head turned, so she decides to get up and walk away, as it is clear he does not wish to interact, even with her calming signal of sitting. In this situation, there are two different sits occurring: the one dog sits to show he is no threat but wishes to be left alone, and the other dog sits in the hope of facilitating interaction by offering a calming signal that communicates no threat.
A puppy is trying to play with an older dog and jumping around in front of her. The older dog is not interested and has given the puppy a few head turns to try to calm the situation and show she does not wish to interact in this manner. He continues and is not listening. She walks away and sits down with her back to him, communicating even more loudly that she is not willing to interact with him until he calms down.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice any sitting in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals, and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be as descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could, however, list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow, even pace at body level.

From the observation, I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, the environment, and the individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Panting – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Aug 18, 2017 | Dog Body Language

Panting – Dog Body Language

When a dog exhibits panting out of context, such as on occasions when he is not cooling himself on a hot day or recovering from exercise, this is clear body language that shows the dog is stressed^* or showing some anxiety. Dogs may also start panting out of context due to pain or a variety of other medical issues. These observations only cover the topic of panting from a dog behaviour and body language point of view.

Here are a few examples of situations where a dog may show signs of stress by panting:

This observation concerns an elderly dog staying with his guardian at a bed and breakfast for the first time. The elderly dog is generally quite slow with his movement. He walks a short distance from the car to the living room of the bed and breakfast, so he does not have any strenuous exercise. Once in the bed and breakfast, his guardian settles in the living room to have a cup a tea. There is no real overt dog body language. The dog seems his usual still self, but he has started panting. The only other notable behaviour is that he occasionally walks up to his guardian and a nearby stool, and then he walks back to his bed. This subtle body language of panting shows the dog is struggling with this new environment and feeling a bit anxious.
A shelter dog returns to her room after a walk. It is a mild winter’s day and she is not panting during the calm, steady walk. However, as soon as she returns to the room with the volunteer, she starts panting. The room has sufficient airflow, and the temperature is at a comfortable level, so this would not cause the panting. The dog sits down in the room and is not active. Her commissures (corners of her mouth) are drawn back quite far as she pants, and her tongue starts protruding and looking spatulate at the end. The sides of her chest are moving in and out quite rapidly. Her pupils dilate, and the tension in her facial muscles is noticeable as the ridges on her face become very pronounced. Her ears are alert and up, moving to the side at times as she listens to the shelter noises. Her eyes are wide and she keeps scanning the environment. At times when she hears a noise, she freezes, her eyes wide and ears pinned to the side, as she tries to hone in on the sounds. Slowly she starts to drool. The volunteer has noticed the dog’s paws are wet most of the time and thinks that she may have been licking them constantly as a self-soothing act. By observing the dog in her room, the volunteer realizes that the wet paws are due to her excessive drooling (hyper salivation). Although this shelter has wonderful facilities, including individual comfy rooms with separate airflow, this environment is still too stressful for this particular dog. The smells and sounds of the shelter environment make her anxious. Going back to the room most probably signifies to the dog that the volunteer is going to leave, which adds to the anxiety. This dog is subsequently moved to a foster home to help her acclimatize and minimize her stress levels.
In a training class, the dog handler is becoming quite frustrated, as her dog seems unable to focus. The dog is moving fast; he can’t seem to stay still. He is panting, his commissures (corners of the mouth) are pulled back, and he is looking around and scanning. His pupils are dilated, and the furrows on his face seem exaggerated. He seems to do a lot of scratching of his neck with his hind leg. Excessive scratching, if there is no reason for the dog to be itchy, is classified as displacement behaviour. It is worth noting the frequency and observing when excessive scratching starts occurring. All the body language above show the dog is quite stressed. This class environment may be too stimulating for him, and he is finding it difficult to cope in this environment.
This is an observation of a dog experiencing fear due to fireworks. The dog’s eyes are wide. The pronounced furrows and ridges on her face create a puffy look under her eyes. The ears go forward and up, then are pinned to the side when a bang goes off. She is panting, her lips are pulled back, and the commissures (corners of the mouth) are pulled back, creating furrows on the cheeks. She is unable to keep still, scanning the environment and pacing around. Her tail is down and her back seems somewhat hunched and rounded. At times her body lowers. In-between bangs, there are times when her mouth closes, as she watches with wide eyes and ears forward and she freezes for a few seconds. She occasionally does a few lip licks and yawns then returns to pacing around the room.
A person walks into the room, holding a leash. The dog approaches and can’t sit still. He jumps up at the person multiple times, his pupils dilate, and he starts panting. In-between jumping up, he paces around a bit and does a shake off. The panting with a combination of body language in this instance is not due to anxiety or fear but due to the dog becoming hyped and overexcited.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice any panting in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

What is meant by stress^*?

When I mention stress, this does not necessarily imply negative emotion. I mean stress in the physiological sense. So certain body language signals can mean the dog is feeling some sort of emotional discourse. This discourse could range from positive to negative emotion. Both excitement and fear could have similar effects on the body, with various hormones being released and activating the sympathetic nervous system. The dog may be feeling uncomfortable/fearful or it could also be excited about something. When analyzing stress in body language, it is worth noting the frequency and intensity of the various body language signals.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals, and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be as descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could, however, list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow even pace at body level.

From the observation, I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, environment, and individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Spatulate tongue – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | Aug 18, 2017 | Dog Body Language

Spatulate tongue – Dog Body Language

From a dog body language perspective, a spatulate tongue is indicative of a dog experiencing some form of stress^*. This particular shaping of the tongue occurs when the dog has been panting, most likely due to stress^*. The tongue becomes elongated and wider at the bottom and may curl up.

The widening and slight upward curl could be the result of muscular tension in the tongue. There is a distinct difference as to how the tongue appears after heavy panting due to exercise rather than stress. Instead of being held upwards, the tongue is likely to flop down when the panting is caused by exercise. This is a result of gravity rather than muscular effort.^[1]

To elaborate, the following is the description of the spatulate tongue offered in ‘Canine Behavior – A Photo Illustrated Handbook’ :

“Spatulate tongue occurs particularly when a dog is stressed, but may also occur if the dog is hyperthermic/overheated and panting heavily to cool down his whole body. To determine the cause, note others signs of stress. In this dog [referring to a picture in the book, not shown here], tension ridges in his face as well as whale eye and forward flared whiskers suggest that this spatulate tongue portrays stress.”^[2]

I was unsure if it is invariably the case that the tongue would be seen to flop down rather than curl up after heavy panting due to exercise. From my observations, in most cases the tongue does generally seem to flop down with panting relating to heavy exercise. However, I have seen exceptions where the tongue does curl upward. After further anecdotal observation, I noticed that there was a greater chance of the tongue curling up if the dog was panting at a rapid rate. It is worth considering that exercise could have an impact on stress^* levels, depending on the individual dog and the amount or type of exercise. It is important to view each dog as an individual and find what is most appropriate for the individual to keep them in homeostasis.

With all observations relating to dog body language, it is important to take note of the context when offering an interpretation. As mentioned in the panting article, if a dog is panting out of context, as in he is not cooling himself or recovering from exercise, it is likely that the dog may be experiencing some form of stress. Additionally, if the dog is panting out of context, and a spatulate tongue is visible, this adds further evidence to substantiate the interpretation. Further observation of the whole body and body language of the dog should be noted. Brenda Aloff offers a good comparison of the body language shown by two different dogs where one is panting due to stress and the other due to exercise. The photo comparison can be found on page 36 of her book, ‘Canine Body Language – A photographic Guide.’

Brenda notes that in observing the silhouette of the stressed dog, the top line of the body looks rounded (roached), and the legs seem to be in a braced position. Brenda adds further observations of the dog’s body, noting facial tension and deep ridges around the eyes and lips. The eyes seem wide, with pupils dilated. The head and neck are lowered. The dog is panting with a spatulate tongue that is curled up tensely. The tail is not tucked but is held down against the body.

In comparison, the body of the dog that is panting due to exercise is in a neutral position; the back is held with its natural curves. There are visible ridges in the dog’s face under the eyes and around the dog’s mouth. This again shows the importance of context: dogs that may be showing tiredness due to activity may also show ridges in the face. The eyes are squinted and relaxed. The dog is panting with an extended tongue, with the bottom of the tongue hanging down. The tail is at body level and seems to be wagging.

If you have not already read the article about panting, read about it here. It is worth reading as it relates to the spatulate tongue.

Reference:
^[1] Canine Body Language – A photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff: Page 36. For further reading, visit the resources section.
^[2] Canine Behavior – A Photo Illustrated Handbook by Barbara Handelman, M.ED, CDBC: Page 244.

What is meant by stress^*?

When I mention stress, this does not necessarily imply negative emotion. I mean stress in the physiological sense. So certain body language signals can mean the dog is feeling some sort of emotional discourse. This discourse could range from positive to negative emotion. Both excitement and fear could have similar effects on the body, with various hormones being released and activating the sympathetic nervous system. The dog may be feeling uncomfortable/fearful or it could also be excited about something. When analyzing stress in body language, it is worth noting the frequency and intensity of the various body language signals.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals, and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be as descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could, however, list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow even pace at body level.

From the observation, I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, environment, and individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Displacement behaviour in dogs

by Martha Knowles | Jul 10, 2017 | Dog Body Language

Displacement behaviour in dogs

Displacement behaviours are normal behaviours that seem displaced and are displayed out of context. They occur when the dog is experiencing conflicting emotions and attempting to deflect stress, uncertainty, anxiety or frustration. Some of the possible causes of displacement behaviour could be tiredness, stress^*, overstimulation or a response to pressure. These behaviours are a reflection of the dog’s inner state rather than conscious communication. However, depending on the context and interpretation, some dog body language that is classified as displacement behaviour could also be used as direct communication, or could be classified as unconscious communication/response due to stress. Therefore it is vital to observe all body language displayed, circumstances, individuals involved, and environment before offering interpretations.

The particular body language that is used for communication or could potentially be classified as displacement behaviour, depending on interpretation, includes sniffing the ground, a shake off, a lip lick, and a yawn. I classify the lip lick and yawn as lower level displacement behaviours and very rarely refer to them as displacement. My preference is to interpret them as a stress response in certain contexts. I have chosen to add them to the list as some dog behaviour professionals may classify them as displacement, depending on the context.

Here are three differing interpretations of a lip lick, depending on context: A dog may give a few lip licks as an unconscious stress response if he feels uncomfortable, for instance if he is sitting at a vet’s office. Alternatively, a dog may directly communicate discomfort or try to calm the situation down by offering a lip lick as a calming signal to the person/dog he is interacting with. The lip lick can also be seen as displacement behaviour due to some internal conflict; for example, a dog is given the cue to ‘stay back’, and when asked to do so, he offers a lip lick. He may be offering the lip lick due to feeling conflicted because he would rather move forward. Some may interpret this as displacement and others may interpret it as a slight stress response.

If displacement behaviours are occurring frequently, it is worth keeping a 24-hour diary noting the daily activities of your dog, including rest, and the occasions when the displacement behaviour occurred. Keeping a diary will provide an overview of daily routines and might help you to see if there is a particular event, sequence or routine that sets off the behaviour. Maintaining accurate notes in the diary of your household and dog’s activities gives an opportunity to analyse and spot areas that may be out of balance. If you are experiencing serious displacement behaviours, it is best to consult a qualified dog behaviourist, who will assess the situation, give you an accurate overview, and provide ongoing support.

Here is a list of some of the possible displacement behaviours:

biting the lead
scratching
mouthing (mouthing peoples hands, legs or clothing)
mounting/humping
picking up things to rag
chewing
rolling on the ground
licking or chewing body parts
dog checking his/her uro-genital area
hyped-up running/zooming around
hyperactivity
scratching the ground with back legs
sniffing the ground
shake off
lip lick
yawn

Here are a few examples of situations where some dogs have shown displacement behaviour:

Two people are chatting on a path in the park. The woman who is chatting to her friend has her dog standing next to her on lead. A jogger runs down the path directly towards them. The dog does a lip lick followed by a head turn. He then turns his whole body away from the approaching jogger. The woman is distracted by her conversation with her friend and does not realize her dog is communicating discomfort through body language. After the jogger passes, the dog suddenly drops to the ground and starts rolling on his back. The woman is not aware that the fast, direct approach of the jogger has caused her dog to displace some anxiety by rolling. She thinks her dog is just being silly.
A dog in a shelter picks up his blanket and starts ragging, spinning the blanket around furiously whenever the volunteers pass his kennel with dogs they are taking out for a walk. There is a lot of activity, with dogs passing quickly down the corridors and past the kennels, causing all the dogs to bark. All this noise and frenetic atmosphere affects the stress levels of this shelter dog, causing the dog to show displacement behaviour.
An adolescent dog goes on a walk with her guardian. They do a long walk through the woods, as the guardian has read that burning off energy helps to keep a dog calm. His young dog seems to struggle to settle in the evenings. Halfway through the walk, the young dog starts biting and tugging the lead. It really becomes difficult for the guardian to hold the lead, and if his hand is in the way, the dog mouths it. This is frustrating for the guardian, who expected a calm walk in the woods. Instead, these longer walks seem to have the opposite effect, with his dog appearing hyper and exhibiting this new mouthing behaviour. Perhaps this walk is not suitable for this dog, or there may be other factors contributing to this behaviour. It depends on the individual, and a further holistic investigation would be necessary to assess the influences for the displacement behaviour.
A dog that has suffered abuse in the past is taking time to acclimatize and build trust with new people. He is normally introduced to new people by known people. If he is left alone too soon or introduced too fast to strangers, he starts humping their legs and then mouthing people’s arms, showing his anxiety.
A person has let her dog off lead in the park. She looks at her watch, realizing she is running late and tries to call her dog quickly in order to leave the park. He takes his time coming over, and she becomes frustrated and calls again, raising her voice in her frustration. Calling the dog’s name more loudly does not seem to help, as he has now stopped and is sniffing the ground. This might be a calming signal offered by the dog because he is not comfortable with the person’s tone of voice and he wishes to calm his guardian. Or it could be displacement behaviour in response to the pressure the dog might be feeling from his guardian.
A few people are visiting for a social occasion. The people have just arrived and are gathered in the doorway, exchanging greetings joyfully. The family dog walks off to his toy bucket and picks up a teddy bear. He starts walking around with it in his mouth and shakes it about. The dog may be feeling some unease due to the activity of people arriving and the noise this has caused. He is displacing some of the anxiety/excitement on his toys.
A puppy is attending puppy class with her guardian. As the class progresses, the puppy’s movements get faster. She is panting, does a few lip licks, and keeps sitting frequently to scratch her neck with her back leg. The guardian is feeling a little frustrated as it is difficult to keep the puppy’s attention for long. The puppy may be experiencing some stress and may find this class a bit overwhelming. She is showing some displacement behaviour by scratching her neck frequently. The dog trainer asks the guardian to step out of the class for a few minutes and let the puppy have a sniffing break outside. The scratching behaviour seems to subside as the puppy potters around outdoors, away from the activity of the hall.
While walking in the suburbs with his guardian, a dog that is uncomfortable meeting unknown dogs is approached by an off lead dog. This dog slows her pace and curves round the dog with the guardian. Both dogs freeze for a couple of seconds with their bodies facing three quarters away from one another and their heads turned away. The dog that is not comfortable seems quite tall; his ears are up, and he does quick head turns. The off lead dog tries to slowly curve round the rear end of the uncomfortable dog, but he jumps away quickly, still facing the off lead dog, and then freezes whilst wagging his tail very quickly. She tries again and he jumps away a little further. She realizes that he is uncomfortable and decides to walk away. This gives the guardian an opportunity to walk away with her dog too. After the guardian has walked away with her dog, he stops and turns toward the off lead dog, which is now in the distance. He scratches the dirt with his back legs and lets off a few barks. The dog may be displacing some of the tension from this unexpected meeting by scratching. Normally the action of scratching with back legs would be used when scent marking and when going to potty but in this context the action seems displaced.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

Want to learn more about the potential effects of stress on dogs?

To understand the possible effects of stress, I would recommend reading ‘Stress in Dogs’ by Martina Scholz & Clarissa von Reinhardt. Links to the book can be found on the resources page.

Stress in Dogs, Martina Scholz, Clarissa von Reinhardt The book gives an overview of the physiology of stress and explains some of its symptoms and how they can manifest as behaviour or health issues. The main section includes a comprehensive survey assessing the living conditions of 224 dogs. Interestingly, most of the participants in the survey had more than average involvement with dogs and were practicing dog trainers or veterinary advisors. The survey really highlights the patterns that start emerging and provides an insight into areas that may be out of balance. You are able to take the survey yourself and compare your results to the survey results and averages. Dispersed through the book are case studies, which help to expand your understanding of how dogs show stress. It is a fantastic book that explains the scientific aspects, gives a comprehensive overview of the symptoms and effects of stress on your dog, and helps you make all the relevant connections on the topic.

What is meant by stress^*?

When I mention stress, this does not necessarily imply negative emotion. I mean stress in the physiological sense. So certain body language signals can mean the dog is feeling some sort of emotional discourse. This discourse could range from positive to negative emotion. Both excitement and fear could have similar effects on the body, with various hormones being released and activating the sympathetic nervous system. The dog may be feeling uncomfortable/fearful or it could also be excited about something. When analyzing stress in body language, it is worth noting the frequency and intensity of the various body language signals.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language:

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals, and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be as descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could, however, list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow even pace at body level.

From the observation, I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, environment, and individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.

Sniffing the ground – Dog Body Language

by Martha Knowles | May 20, 2017 | Dog Body Language

Sniffing the ground – Dog Body Language

Dogs may sniff the environment often to investigate scents, but with careful observation and awareness of context, it becomes apparent when sniffing is part of dog communication. It is so subtle the communication can go unnoticed at times.

Sniffing can be used as a calming signal when an interaction is too intense. One dog may start to walk away, slowly sniffing the ground; the other dog may mirror him by also sniffing the ground. This is a good way to defuse an interaction.

Sniffing can be used as negotiation as two dogs approach each other; a deliberate slower approach is polite when greeting. Sniffing the ground is commonly used as part of the body language signals offered at the beginning stages of an approach.

In other contexts, sniffing could also be interpreted as displacement behaviour or a stress response. A dog may feel conflicted about something he sees ahead of him; he may slow down and stop to sniff the environment. Sniffing may help displace the anxiety, and it gives the opportunity to assess things further from a safe distance by stalling the approach.

Here are a couple of examples of situations where a dog may start sniffing the ground:

A woman is walking her dog in a suburban neighbourhood. Up ahead on the pavement, a group of people is walking towards them. At a distance from the approaching people, the dog looks up. His mouth closes, his ears are forward, his tail is up, and he starts slowing and pauses for a second, whilst lifting his paw ever so slightly. The dog slows even more, curves slightly, stops, and seems very interested in suddenly sniffing a bush. This sniffing could be occurring because the dog may feel uncomfortable with the crowd of people approaching. This may be slight displacement due to his feeling a bit anxious or unsure. Read further about the dog’s perspective of head-on approaches in ‘Considering the effects of walking or running straight towards a dog‘.
In an off lead area, two dogs approach one another. They are quite a distance apart. As they start walking towards each other, both slow their pace on approach. One dog starts sniffing the ground as he slowly proceeds forward. The other dog responds by pausing and doing a head turn, and then she slowly starts curving her approach. The first dog continues to approach slowly, and he intermittently sniffs the ground. As they both near each other, they curve their bodies ever so slightly, pausing for a few seconds. He keeps his head up, his ears are a little to the side and up, his tail is ever so slightly raised, and it wags slowly. He now offers a head turn. She reciprocates with a head turn, her ears are to the side slightly, and her tail is wagging slowly in line with the height of her back. They slowly curve round each other and sniff behind. Then they slowly curve away. He starts sniffing the environment nearby; she follows and sniffs a bit too. They then move away from each other and go their separate ways. Sniffing the ground was used as a calming signal and part of the negotiation on approach. Each dog takes time to approach, and they start the conversation a distance away, responding with appropriate signals.
A person is trying to call her dog back to her in the park. Her dog does not come immediately, so she calls her dog again, this time with obvious frustration in her voice. Her dog slows even more, then stops and sniffs the ground. The dog, noticing his guardian’s frustration in the tone of voice and agitated body language, may be offering a calming signal to his guardian or may be showing some displacement due to pressure.
Two dogs have just greeted each other. The one dog is a bit invasive and persistent with sniffing the other dog’s behind. The dog that is being invasively sniffed calmly walks slightly away and starts sniffing the ground as he walks. The other dog mirrors him and also begins to sniff the ground. Sniffing the ground seems to have defused the situation.
A person is walking his dog in a car park. As they are walking, a car drives past with another dog hanging out the window and barking. The dog being walked curves her body away from the passing car and immediately starts sniffing a bush in some nearby foliage. This may be a calming signal or some displacement due to the passing car with the barking dog.

These are just a few examples; there may be many more. Start observing to see if you can notice any sniffing in different contexts. As discussed below, interpretations such as the above examples should not be attempted without careful observation and consideration of all aspects of the situation.

What is meant by stress?

When I mention stress, this does not necessarily imply negative emotion. I mean stress in the physiological sense. So certain body language signals can mean the dog is feeling some sort of emotional discourse. This discourse could range from positive to negative emotion. Both excitement and fear could have similar effects on the body, with various hormones being released and activating the sympathetic nervous system. The dog may be feeling uncomfortable/fearful or it could also be excited about something. When analyzing stress in body language, it is worth noting the frequency and intensity of the various body language signals.

A few notes to consider when observing dog body language

Observation before interpretation

Interpretations should be offered only once you have observed the complete interaction and taken note of the wider picture. To offer an unbiased interpretation of the body language, observe and take note of the situation, taking into account the dog’s whole body, the body language signals, and environment first before offering an interpretation. List all the body language you see in the order that it occurs; try to be as descriptive as possible without adding any emotional language. For instance, saying a dog looks happy is not descriptive and would be seen as an interpretation rather than an observation.

You could, however, list what you observe: ears to the side, eyes almond shaped, slight shortening of the eye, mouth open, long lips, tongue out, body moving loosely, body facing side-on, tail wagging at a slow even pace at body level.

From the observation, I could interpret that the dog seems relaxed or comfortable. I still prefer to say relaxed rather than happy, as I feel you will truly never know exactly what the dog may be feeling on the inside emotionally. It is quite likely the dog may be feeling happy, but I prefer to comment on how the dog is behaving in response to the situation rather than presuming internal emotional states.

The importance of viewing body language within context

Interpretations can vary depending on the context. It is possible for certain body language to be used in different contexts and have subtle differences in meaning within those contexts. Individual body language signals should not be observed in isolation; the wider picture should be considered. Take note of what the dog’s body as a whole is saying. Keep in mind each dog is an individual with varying skills and experiences. What may be typical for one individual may not be for another. In order to observe body language in context, consider the following: the situation, body language signals, the body language expressed by all parts of the dog’s body, environment, and individuals involved. It is worth noting how the body language changes with feedback from the environment or the other individuals interacting.

Martha Knowles

Author

My vision is to create a community of dog guardians who share their observations and interpretations of their dogs’ silent conversations. Hopefully, these experiences and stories will provide some insight into dog communication, which is often overlooked by the untrained eye because it is unfamiliar to humans. We are accustomed to communicating mainly with sound, so we are not attuned to the silent subtle gestures and body language used by dogs to communicate. If you take the time to observe, you will start to see these 'silent conversations' going on around you. My dream is for dog communication to become common knowledge with all dog guardians and as many people as possible. Surprisingly, there are still some professionals working in various dog-related careers who are uneducated about dog body language. Greater awareness of how dogs communicate will help to provide better understanding and improve the mutual relationship between dogs and humans. This will promote safer interactions between our two species and hopefully remove some of the expectations placed on dogs within human society. I would like dog guardians to feel empowered with their knowledge of dog communication so that they can be their dogs’ advocates and stand up for themselves and their dogs when it really matters.