copyright Raben K9 Training Center Ltd.(c) 2006 All rights reserved
Contact us.........................+9 0542 850 0542... /... +90 392 225 83 72................... info@k9raben.com...
A subject that I always bring up is; since dogs have a much simpler communication language why don’t we take the effort as the brighter kind to understand their language but expect them to understand our much more complex one.
Dogs are born with the knowledge of how to express themselves and understand other dogs with certain simple body language. As they grow they watch and learn adding further words to their vocabulary. The most important and easy to understand are the movements of the tail, face gestures, body position and the sounds that they make.
Tail:
When the subject is the tail many so-called dog experts and dog lovers get a serious thought absolutely wrong. I will take this opportunity to explain what they get wrong and why. Either by tying the tail or by cutting many dogs have their tail docked. Some people do this plainly for ‘beauty’ others because the man-made dog’s tail was a health problem (easily solved by docking!) And many other incorrect beliefs lead to tail docking. Hunters dock their dog’s tails and they will have many excuses lined up for the cause but how right are they. Whoever has their dogs tail docked has an excuse. As an example the Dobermann (yes the Dobermann and the Doberman pinscher is the same dog) was a man’s dream, he designed a dog which at the same time had a stump tail and erect ears, he went by making it by breeding different dogs but never got the stump tail or erect ears so they were corrected by surgery and are still corrected today. What most people don’t understand is that tails aren’t a mistake of nature thus not required or unessential organs; they are used as a rudder. as part of their communication, as a protector of sex organs… They are what allow the dog to chase their prey and do quick short turns on the run. Hunters of today carry out a tradition of tail docking but not knowing why this tradition started in the first place, to put it short many years ago law was put into action in many countries stating that dogs of leash with a tail were a threat to the wild life so they were banned whereas dogs with docked tails didn2t posses as much as a threat so they were allowed to be taken into the forest and other hunting areas, thus the hunters tradition began. Dogs with docked tails have a higher chance of getting into a fight that could have been avoided due to being misunderstood.
Different dog breeds hold their tail in a different position at rest, the first true dogs tails hang down alike the wolves of today when at rest. When taken the position of a dog’s tail at rest;
their standard position shows a dog peaceful and at rest or a dog that is not ready to mate.
Held back straight shows a dog concentrating intensely, if at the same time the hairs are pricked then the dog is warning their opponent and read to strike.
a dog that wags his tail will not bite is a misconception dogs wag their tail at strangers and loved ones the difference is the amount to each side wagged. Which is generally hard to see with the naked eye. A dog wagging its tail shows that it doesn’t feel threatened. The speed the tail is wagged points to how hard the dog wants to express his feelings.
A tail carried high shows excitement or serves as a warning ‘I’m not scared of you’ if held tight and high then the dog is serious.
A dog carrying its tail between its legs is showing that it doesn’t pose a threat, is frightened or is not ready to mate.
Ears:
Dogs who have erect ears often use them in communication. Ears moving to the direction of sound shows a comfortable dog, ears facing forward are concentration or used to threaten, pinned back ears show intense concentration or feel threatened, but if crockedly pinned back then the dog is scared. Ears slanting outwards represent a confused dog.
Body positions:
Bending down with outstretched legs is an invitation for play however when done firmly standing and with a head down looking upwards is a serious threat especially if the hair is up on the dogs back. An arched back shows abdominal pain or fear. A dog lying on its back with open legs is pointing out that it doesn’t pose a threat.
Facial Gestures:
Dogs have facial gestures that represent those of a human child
Sounds:
Growling is a warning, a higher than normal pitched bark shows excitement especially after prey. A deep pitch bark is a sign of warning. Dog barking is actually a juvenile communication skill that is left behind as the dog grows older. This is an exception for domesticated dogs.
At the end of the day dogs use various combinations of these skills to make further meanings and they can change from breed to breed. However what is important is that we take time to observe our dogs that are continually in communication with us in their very simple language but many of us either can2t be bothered to listen to them or can2t be bothered to learn or simply thought it was impossible, thus loosing this great beneficial opportunity.
Ben Senova.
UPD Master Instructors Instructor, Behaviorist expert and WL Breed Master
senova@k9raben.com
