Course 2 · CANINE BODY LANGUAGE
Humans can't speak dog, but we can learn to interpret it. Body language is a dog's first language. By learning to read it, you can tell what a dog is feeling, recognize resource guarding, stress, arousal and predation — and know when you're handling a dog in a way that's about to get you bitten. Because the best way to break up a fight is prevention.
Dogs communicate three ways, and most of what humans can actually act on is the middle one.
Scent marking is the number one channel — but it's invisible to us. Body language is the one you can learn to read in real time.
The number one way dogs communicate — and the one we can't see.
Ritualized signals humans can see and learn. This course.
Barks, growls, whines — used the least of the three.
Body language interpretation is what makes an outing safe and enjoyable. Dogs use it to express interest in play, resolve conflict, and increase or decrease distance. But no single signal means anything on its own.
Read the ENTIRE dog. Read the dog in context. Read the other dogs. A wagging tail on a stiff body is not a friendly tail.
When dogs play, there's a lot of wasted energy in unnecessary motion. A romping dog elevates his front end in a bouncy, rocking-horse fashion. A dog who is working — focused, moving with purpose — keeps his head low and his movements flat and efficient. Bouncy and inefficient usually means play; flat and efficient can mean business.
Every signal you'll learn falls into one of four families. The rest of this course takes them one at a time.
Wagging tail, relaxed ears, loose body, yawning.
Tucked tail, ears back, cowering or shrinking back.
Stiff body, raised hackles, tight lips, teeth bared.
Play bow, relaxed open mouth, bouncing around.
That was lesson 1, on the house. The rest of the course — every module, the assessments, and your certificate — is inside. One payment, yours for life.
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