Body language

Dogs rely completely on their body language as its main source of communication with dogs as well as humans. It really important for you to learn to read your dog’s body language since communication through body language is equivalent to verbal communication of humans. The best way to learn your dog’s methods of body communication is to observe two or more pups play. If you have an astute observation, you will see them communicating continuously. They may wag their tails while greeting each other. Hackles i.e. hair along the dog’s back, may rise if they don’t like what they witness. The different types of body posture of the dogs and their meaning are given below.

• Play bow

Two dogs meeting for the first time will sniff both the ends of the dogs they are meeting. If they like each other and wish to play, they will go into what is called the play bow. Front legs go down and the rear end rises. The ears normally prick if the dogs have ears that can stand up straight, and they will dance around each other.

• Submission

When a dog shows submission it goes belly to the ground in a drop and then rolls over on its back. If the dog is showing such to another dog, by exposing its belly, it is giving the other dog the right to attack it. Normally, the dominant dog will not do anything because the submissive dog has shown it subordinate position. The same applies to submissive dog dealing with an excessively dominant owner. If the owner is overly aggressive and the dog overly submissive the dog will urinate. Such behavior can be corrected through careful socializing and also the owner’s softer approach.

• Aggression

An arrogant and aggressive dog is in complete control of itself as it is not afraid of anyone. Such dogs will use full display of their body language to show their strength: they raise hackles, prick their ears up and forward, raise their tail either straight out at the back or arched over the back, pull their lips back to show full display of teeth and growl low in the back of the their throat. These dogs do not make a good pet and professional guidance is required while dealing with them.

• Fear aggression

Fear aggressive dog has a different has a different body language. Like an aggressive dog, the hackles may rise, lips might curl back showing the teeth but the ears normally flatten along the head. The tail is either out the back or is tucked in between the legs and the eyes have a glazed expression. Fear aggressive dogs tend to be sneaky as they are likely to bite when you are not looking. Such aggression may have arisen from past hurt caused by mistreatment and inadequate socialization. Like an aggressive dog, this dog is also unsuitable for pet and professional help is recommended.

• Happy dog

Happy dogs can be easily identified. They rush to greet their owners with licks, jump up, wag their tails and give out happy bark. As for the body posture of these dogs, ears sit normally, coat lies perfectly naturally and eyes are very bright and clear.

• Marking territory

Dogs mark territory by urinating. By having their scent over another dog’s gives them the dominance. Dogs may lift their leg and urinate over dozen times over a short distance. This should be discouraged. If your dog does that on a walk, say “No” and keep walking as footpaths and the area in which you walk are not your dog’s territory. Letting your dog do so is not safe either as dogs fight over their territory. Don’t allow your dog to mark what it really not it’s to mark. Alternatively, allow it mark the outside of the gate because after that it will guard your compound fiercely.

• Paying attention

A dog which sits in front of the speaker, looks up, pricks its ears and moves it head a little then it listening to the speaker. Dog who looks at the person talking to it is showing respect and submission. Therefore, you should train your puppy to look at you while you are talking. To do so, hold your pup gently by both sides of the head and look into its eyes only for few seconds. Don’t forget to praise it if it stays quiet. If it doesn’t then you know who the boss is. When using the dog’s name, get it to look into your eyes. Remember, the more attention you give the dog, the same attention will be given to you by your dog.

• Pawing

Dogs paw other dogs or human in order to derive their attention. However, they simply need to be ignored like a patient older dog does. Don’t allow your dog to make demands because it is its way to be dominant.

• Licking

Social creatures like dogs lick in form of greeting. In the wild, juvenile pup lick the older ones who return form hunt to regurgitate food from them. Though this is unnecessary with us, the instinct to do so is still present in the dog.

Body language between older dog and pup
Jealousy is inevitable when a new pup is brought home. If too much attention is given to the pup instead of the residential one then problem are bound to come as the older dog might take the higher priority given to the pup as an insult to itself. Hence, in order to avoid any chaos, following measure must be taken.
When bringing a new puppy home, take the older dog out for a walk. In the absence of the older dog, walk the new puppy all around the house, spreading its scent. This will make it easier for the older dog to accept the new pup. Ensure the new pup is introduced to the older one under supervision. Allow the dog to sniff the new pup and see it walking around the house.
Older dogs have a lot of patience to match up with the new pup’s exuberance. The older dog will ignore or walk away when the pup is making overtures. This teaches the new puppy that such things are not to be done. Hence there is no need for any human interference as you will be interfering with the entire pecking order which will cause further problems. It is better to let nature takes it course after the introduction.
Body language and new baby
The same procedure as bringing home a new pup applies while bringing a new baby into the house. Spread the baby’s scented clothes all around the house while your dog is away. Recognize the dog and then allow it to sniff the baby. Continue to pat the dog while holding the baby. Gradually the dog will be more relaxed in the baby’s presence since it is being given the priority. However, don’t leave your baby with the dog however trained it is. There is always the risk to your baby being hurt with the claws of the dog even though it might be unintentional.
Body language and children
Children and pups should not be allowed to run together while playing. If this is allowed then the dog will get used to jumping and running at the children and will tend to think those are what children are for. Within a week or two, the dog will start biting children in order to get them to play. It will be safe to keep your dog out of sight while your children are playing. If children really want to play with their dog then parents must introduce the alternative to running such as how to throw a ball or squeaky toy or Frisbee and how to take it from the dog when it brings the toys back.