Читать книгу It’s Me or the Dog: How to have the Perfect Pet - Victoria Stilwell - Страница 9

Talk Dog communicating with your dog

Let me begin by stating the obvious: Dogs do not speak English. Or French, or German, or Spanish, for that matter. They talk dog.

The secret of successful training is to learn how to communicate with your dog in a way that he understands. He can’t learn your language. It’s up to you to learn to speak his.

Dogs are terrific communicators. Have you ever stopped to think how many different words we have for the noises dogs make – words such as growl, snarl, whine, whimper, bark, and howl? All these various sounds and vocalizations mean different things in dog language, while the meanings may also change in subtle ways, depending on context and circumstance.

Then there’s body language. Dogs communicate with sound, but they also speak volumes through their gestures and stances. A lift of an eyebrow, a yawn, a wrinkled brow are just some of the ways they signal their feelings and intentions to others, both canine and human.

Learning to talk dog is the key to understanding your pet so that you can better meet his needs. This chapter covers the range of sounds and signals that form the basis of canine communication. With a little practice, you’ll be speaking it like a native!

The secret of successful training is to learn how to communicate with your dog in a way that he understands.

Sounds and vocalizations

Dogs bark. It’s what they do. But they make a wide range of other sounds, too, and here is what they each mean:

Whining

The very first form of vocalization is the whine. Puppies whine to gain the attention of their mother. In adult dogs, this insistent, rather nagging, high-pitched sound is similarly often a request for you to take some notice. “Feed me!” it says. “Let me out!” Or simply, “Pay me some attention!” Whining can also indicate that the dog is nervous, frightened, or anxious.

Whimpering

When whining shades into the more pitiful sound of whimpering, it can be the sign of more serious distress – dogs often whimper when they are in pain. Otherwise, it could simply be the dog’s way of intensifying or heightening the plea of whining, particularly when it is accompanied by pawing. “What would it take to get you to pay some attention to me?” it says.

Yelping

A sudden yelp is a pain cry. If you accidentally step on a dog’s paw or tail, he’ll yelp to let you know that he’s hurt.

Growling

The growl is the dog’s key warning sound. But it is also an important part of the way puppies play. Play-fighting is how puppies test the waters, see how far they can go and how strong they are, and growling often goes along with it. When older dogs play with each other, they revert to this puppyish behavior and may growl at each other without intending to communicate aggression. When your dog plays with you – for example, when you’re playing tugging games – he may also emit a wavering growl. It doesn’t mean he’s going to snap at you, it’s just part of the mock battle you’re playing.

When a growl is deep and sustained, and is accompanied by a tense body, it’s a clear warning to back off. This is the sign of impending aggression. The dog may feel threatened or under attack, and is giving you or another dog the chance to avoid further trouble before it’s too late.

Snarling

“You didn’t listen, did you?” When the warning given by the growl goes unheeded, the vocalization escalates. The growl goes up a level in intensity and vibrates a little, becoming less sustained. The lips are up and the teeth are bared. Snarling indicates that aggressive action is imminent.

Howling

Many people interpret the long mournful tone of the howl as a sound of distress. While it’s true that dogs will often howl if left alone too long – “Where are you, my human pack?” – howling doesn’t necessarily indicate unhappiness. The howl is the biggest sound a dog can make, and it carries over long distances. In the wild, it is used to signal a dog’s presence to others or to ward off predators. Some dogs – notably basset hounds – are more prone to howling than others. Dogs will also howl in response to the bark or howl of another dog. And, of course, we all know that some dogs like to howl along to the piano, no matter how well you are playing!

Champing

You may never have heard the term before, but if you’re a dog owner, you’ll probably recognize champing when you hear it. It’s a type of sucking, chewing noise that a dog makes - as if he were a horse champing at a bit, or as if he were licking his chops, except that he will make this noise when he is not actually eating. This is a pacifying sound. Some dogs “champ” when they are greeting humans or other canines; others do it to show that they are not a threat.

Groaning

Many dogs make a low, throaty, murmuring groan, moan, or growl when they are being stroked. This indicates bliss and pleasure.

Barking

Barking is a really important part of dog communication. Depending on the context, it has a variety of meanings. Barking can be used to sound an alarm or warning, it can be a call for attention, or it may simply indicate that the dog is excited. Dogs bark to signal their presence to other dogs that may not be able to see them – that bad dog on the other side of the fence, for example. They also bark in response to barking or to mark their territory. And, of course, they bark when they are bored and isolated. While excessive barking may indicate a problem, it is very important that dogs should be able to bark from time to time. It’s wrong to expect a dog to spend his life in silence.

When they are very young, puppies do not bark. Timing varies, but in most cases a puppy will have started to bark by the age of two months. Some breeds also bark more than others. Maltese dogs are pretty vocal, and so are Shelties. Dachshunds are also predisposed to bark, for good reason. They were originally bred to go down holes after badgers and to bark when they found them so that hunters could identify exactly where the badgers were (the breed name means “badger dog” in German).

Body language

Body language is vital in dog communication. Take the time to observe your dog closely in different situations, and try to work out what he is trying to say by watching his body language.

Signals pass between dogs faster than we can see – literally in the blink of an eye. Owners often call me to say that they were just walking their dog along the road when another dog coming toward them lunged out aggressively with no warning, and without their dog doing anything at all. Or vice versa – sometimes it was the owner’s dog that instigated the aggression. It may seem that nothing has provoked the behavior, but in that split second, those two dogs have been signaling to each other and have sized each other up. We humans are often very unobservant. Dogs, on the other hand, don’t miss a trick. Even a small lift of the eyebrow speaks volumes.

Humans rely heavily on verbal communication. But we send out many physical signals of our own. In drama workshops, students are often asked to stand in front of another person in the group and try to communicate with them using only facial expressions. A great actor can show you what he or she is feeling without uttering a word. You can try it yourself at home with a friend.

What follows is a description of what your dog is saying with his body language. Each part of the body acts in conjunction with other parts, so you can’t simply read the signs in isolation. Reading the body signals as a whole will tell you what your dog is feeling.

In the dog, facial expressions in particular can be very subtle, which is why we humans often miss and misread them. It does not help matters that breeding for appearance has greatly affected the ability of dogs to communicate effectively with each other and with us. Flattened noses, overly wrinkled skin, and docked tails are just some of the ways in which our strange notions of canine “beauty” have compromised the dog’s means of expressing himself.

Ears

Let’s start at the top. It’s easiest to distinguish ear signals on dogs with pointed ears. Dogs with drooping ears, such as Beagles and Spaniels, use their ears to signal in the same way, but the signs are slightly harder to see.

Ears that stick straight up represent alertness, confidence, and awareness. If the ears are drawn back on the head, your dog is showing friendliness, that is provided vigorous tail-wagging, a wriggling body, and a calm, relaxed facial expression accompany it.

However, the ears can also be drawn back when the dog is nervous. In this case, the gesture is designed to be pacifying. It says: “I’m nervous, so please back off!” If so, there will be a number of other nervous signals. The tail may be between the legs, the body may be crouching, the front paw may be lifted, the eyes could be slightly closed with dilated pupils, or the mouth may be slightly open while the lips are licked.

Forehead

A wrinkled forehead suggests aggression. A smooth forehead, on the other hand, if it is accompanied by other relaxed body signals, indicates that the dog is relaxed. Or it may be a sign of submission if you notice other signals that indicate insecurity, such as a tail that is lowered or tucked between the dog’s legs, a crouching stance, or a curved back.

Eyebrows

Roger Moore, the actor, makes wonderful use of the eyebrow lift. So does my husband. Just a slight lift of the eyebrow communicates that he’s unhappy with something that I’ve said or done. It gets me every time. When a dog is trying to dominate a situation or assert control, the eyebrows seem almost to jump out at you as they are pushed forward, and the dog will stare at you in a challenging way. When a dog is calm, his eyebrows will not be pronounced.

Eyes

Stand in front of a friend or family member and ask that person to stare at you. Does it make you feel a little uncomfortable? At the very least, it will make you laugh. When a stranger stares at you, however, it’s usually very disconcerting. Do you stare back, or do you break the stare and look away? If both of you keep staring at each other, the chances are that some sort of challenge is going on.

The stare means the same in dog talk. Staring at another dog or human is a sign of dominance, or may indicate an aggressive challenge. The eyes are wide and unflinching. If the stare is accompanied by other aggressive signs such as raised hackles, leaning forward, and stillness of the body, then you would do well to pay attention and stay away! However, a dog that is staring at you is not necessarily exhibiting aggression. It could just be that he is confident and attentive.

When a dog is insecure, he narrows his eyes and looks away from you to show that he poses no threat. Blinking is another important eye signal. Dogs often blink to show you they are friendly. Sometimes, however, they blink when they are frightened.

Mouth

The lips are often used to demonstrate aggression. One such signal, a slight lifting of the lips on one side, is incredibly subtle and may be hard to spot. When the lips are completely drawn forward, this indicates a more assertive form of aggression. When the lips are drawn back, this often signals an aggressive response that is the result of fear. Either way the teeth are exposed. A friend of mine owned a dog that would draw back her lips and expose her teeth when greeting you affectionately. Perhaps the dog simply didn’t know what she was feeling, but I always swore she was smiling.

Lip smacking or licking with the tongue are signs of lack of confidence, stress, or fear, but are also used as pacifying gestures. Both wrinkle the muzzle, which is otherwise smooth when the dog is relaxed.

Neck

A confident dog will hold his neck straight and upright. A dog with less confidence will hold his neck lower. He may expose his throat to a dog that is more dominant. Exposing the throat says: “Hey, I’m no threat. I’m trusting you with a very delicate part of my body. And I’m turning my teeth away from you.” If this submissive gesture is successful, then the more dominant dog will expose his throat, too, in order to show that he is accepting the submission and poses no threat, either.

Back

My grandmother stood with a straight back until the day she died. She had good posture, but she was a proud, confident woman and carried herself that way. The same goes for dogs: A straight back means confidence. A back that is curled means that the dog is insecure and submissive.

Hackles

When a dog is nervous or scared, this triggers a chain reaction of physiological responses that raises the hairs on the back of the neck and down the spine. The effect is to make the dog look bigger and fiercer. He’s saying, “Don’t mess with me. I’m bigger and stronger than you!”

Tail

The tail is important for both balance and signaling, which is why it is a huge shame that the practice of tail docking still continues. How would you feel if an important part of your body that you relied upon for expressing yourself were cut off? Without its tail, a dog is unable to communicate properly, which means that other dogs may miss vital signals.

The tail is a prime indicator of a dog’s mood. A confident dog will hold his tail high in the air. It is possible that this allows scent from the anal glands to circulate more freely in the air and advertise his presence. A tail that is held low between the legs means that the dog is fearful and submissive.

Vigorous wagging usually means excitement, friendliness, and happiness. A tail that is held high but wagged more slowly means a cautious confidence. A tail that is held still and straight indicates a problem of some sort. One that is still, extended, and slightly curved says: “Get lost because I mean business!”

Paws

When my cat is feeling particularly affectionate, she will jump up and start kneading my leg with her paws. This is enjoyable for her because it’s what she used to do to her mother in order to stimulate the teats into producing milk. Puppies do a similar thing, while adult dogs will paw at a person or another dog for attention and as a pacifying gesture. One of the reasons why it’s usually easy to teach a dog to give his paw is that the gesture is already part of their vocabulary.

A paw placed over the neck of another dog, however, signals a challenge. Placing two paws around the neck tends to be a prelude either to a fight or to mating. Both genders, even when neutered, may mount other dogs, pieces of furniture, or, even more embarrassingly, your leg. Mounting or humping is not just a sexual behavior, it can also be a sign that a dog wants to control or dominate another dog or human.

In this context, it is easy to see why many dogs don’t enjoy being hugged. We humans hug to show affection. But what is a hug to a dog but two very large paws placed over his neck? You’re telling him you love him, but he might think you’re being controlling.

The stomach

Most dogs love to have their tummies stroked and will flop onto their backs happily to invite you to do so. This clear body signal is a submissive gesture that your dog learned as a puppy. While play-fighting, puppies like to pin each other down, practicing the body signals they will need as adults. Showing the opponent the stomach puts the dog in a vulnerable position. It says: “I trust you enough to show you the most delicate part of me. I am no threat to you whatsoever.”

But there is another side to this signal. After a kill, wild dogs and wolves always go for the stomach of the prey first. For good reason: Entrails contain the most nutrients. When a nervous dog lies on his back to show you his stomach, he is not inviting your touch, he is asking you to back off.

The play-bow

The play-bow is an invitation to play and a demonstration of friendliness. It’s a very distinctive posture. The dog will lower his front quarters and bow down on his front legs, placing them flat on the ground in front of his body. His body will be curved, and the tail will be curved or wagging. The play-bow is often accompanied by a couple of short barks. It’s a very engaging stance, and one a dog will sometimes adopt if he’s been scolded.

Sniffing

Dogs do a lot of sniffing: It’s their most important way of exploring the world around them. Sometimes, however, a dog will sniff the ground to calm another dog down and show him that he is not a threat. He’s saying: “I’m much more interested in this patch of grass than you.”

Yawning

This is an easy one, you might think. What else could yawning mean but tiredness? Well, that’s not always the case. Yawning can mean a dog feels stressed and nervous. It can be used as a distraction or a calming signal. We humans do it, too, in situations that make us feel uncomfortable.

Scratching

Like yawning, scratching can also be a displacement activity. Humans bite their nails when they’re anxious; dogs scratch. I often see a lot of scratching when I start to train a dog.

Sneezing

Similarly, sneezing can also be related to stress and anxiety. Insecure dogs often sneeze when meeting another dog or greeting a human.

Stretching

Dogs stretch for the same reason we do, to relieve muscle tension when moving from a sedentary pose to a more active one. But they may also stretch as a distraction or as a displacement activity in situations where they do not feel very comfortable.

Freezing

There are three principal ways in which a dog will respond to a threat: He’ll run away, which is generally the most sensible option; he’ll fight, if he feels up to it; or he’ll freeze and hope that the threat goes away. If you touch a nervous dog and he freezes or his body tenses up, take your cue from that and back off. If you keep on stroking him, the next stage will be a warning growl, then a snarl, then a nip. Some dogs don’t even bother to give a warning, but go straight to a bite.