Lesson 1 of 6 · Free preview · About 8 minutes
Speaking dog
A dog's first 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.
The three ways dogs communicate, roughly in this order of importance
- 1Scent markingmost used
Roughly the number one way dogs communicate, and the one we can't see.
- 2Body language
Ritualized signals humans can see and learn. This course.
- 3Vocalizationleast used
Barks, growls, whines: the one dogs lean on least of the three.
Read the entire dog, in context
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 whole dog. Read the dog in context. Read the other dogs. A wagging tail on a stiff body is not a friendly tail.
Rocking-horse gait
A first read on intent
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.
The four types of body language signals
Signals sort into four families, and the rest of this course takes them one at a time. Plenty of signals show up in more than one family: a lip lick, raised hackles or a roll onto the back can belong to any of several. It is the whole dog in context, plus the environment and whatever is triggering them, that tells you which conversation you are watching.
Relaxed / calming / appeasement
Wagging tail, relaxed ears, loose body, yawning.
Fearful / anxious
Tucked tail, ears back, cowering or shrinking back.
Aggressive / warning
Stiff body, raised hackles, lips pushed forward, teeth bared.
Playful
Play bow, relaxed open mouth, bouncing around.
Knowledge check
A dog's tail is wagging, but its body is stiff and tense. What does this lesson say that combination actually means?
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