Get to know your dog’s calming signals

 

Trainer Turid Rugaas of Norway spent years observing wolves, wild dogs and domestic canines to better understand how they communicate. Calming signals are a means of communication used by dogs to not only calm themselves, but also each other and even us. Knowing calming signals allows us to better understand how our dogs are communicating.  Once we know and understand the calming signals, we will know when to remove our dogs from situations they are uncomfortable with because we’ll see the warning signs ahead of time.

Blinking - This is done to avoid staring/direct eye contact.  It can be full, slow blinking or just the lowering of eye lids.

Curving - It’s proper ‘doggy manners’ for dogs to approach each other by curving to greet.  They do not greet each other by approaching straight on unless they know the other dog.  Approaching another dog straight on may cause conflict between the dogs.  If your dog tries to curve when meeting another dog, let them do it - they are providing a clear message and proper dog communication.  You can help your dog on walks by allowing them to curve away while on leash so that they do not send the wrong message or indicate a challenge to the other dog.

Licking - You may see your dog licking his mouth/nose when he is in a tight situation such as when another dog or person is walking straight towards him or when you are bending over your dog.  This is most common in dogs with dark faces as it is harder to see their facial expressions.

Looking Away - This can be from the whole head or by just casting the eyes away.  It is considered the most common calming signal that dogs will use.  They will look away from anything that needs calming as staring directly at another dog can be considered threatening or a challenge.

Play Bow - A play position is when a dog has his front legs down and his bum in the air.  It is used to initiate play as well as a calming signal.  If a dog is uncertain with how to deal with a situation, he will often exhibit the play position.  This is seen most commonly when a dog encounters a strange animal such as a cow.

Sitting/Lying Down - Dogs may do this to reassure one another that they mean no harm.

Sniffing - Dogs will commonly sniff the ground to calm a situation or another dog down.

Turning Away - A dog who is feeling a bit nervous about an object, person or another animal will turn away from it.  This can be rather slight with just turning the head, or they may completely turn away.  You will often see dogs do this to each other if one is playing inappropriately.

Walking Slowly - Dogs will move slower to calm another dog or person down, or will do this if another dog is feeling uncertain about a situation.  This is a common one to see in dog play and greetings.

Yawning - Your dog may yawn when he’s tired but it is also used to release stress and calm others.  When the dog is using a calming signal when yawning, the yawn tends to be exaggerated.

If you would like to further understand your dogs’ behaviour or work on training, Cochrane & Area Humane Society offers a variety of seminars, training and behaviour consultations for you and your dog. Please visit http://www.cochranehumane.ca/programs/animal-training/ for more information.