Dog body language is one of the main ways of communication between a person and their pet.
Understanding body language will help you understand your four-legged friend's needs, moods, and desires.
Dog body language, also known as “calming signals,” was studied by Norwegian cynologists led by Turid Rugos in the 20th century.
Dogs have a wide range of small signals (like wolves) that they show to each other. More than 30 signals have already been studied, says Diana Belyaeva .
With their help, animals can show their peaceful intentions, discomfort, fear, aggression, and resolve conflict situations.
Dogs all over the world use the same peace signals, meaning they communicate in the same language.
- If a dog licks its nose, turns its head away, and starts to yawn, then it is showing us that it is currently experiencing discomfort.
For now, it's best to leave your pet alone.
- On the street, dogs also "talk" to each other. You can notice that when two pets meet, they stop from afar, become half-sideways or walk in an arc, and show peaceful intentions.
They can sniff the ground and lift their front paw.
- During training, when your pet is tired, you will be able to notice the following signals: licking the nose, taut corners of the lips, the whites of the eyes are clearly visible. Your task is to recognize them and finish the training in time or let the dog rest.
Other signals: a tucked tail means the pet is afraid, shaking means releasing tension, showing the belly means a request to keep a distance, etc.
It is important to take into account the context of the situation, the totality of all other signals and the individual characteristics of the pet.
So pay attention to the position of the ears, tail, and general behavior that your dog is showing you. Gradually, you will be able to become a real expert in understanding the body language of your beloved pet!
Previously we talked about how to prevent a cat from running away from home .
