The language of dogs: calming signals

The language of dogs. Calming Signals is one of the most important books in the world of dogs. Thanks to this short but influential book byTurid Rugaas, many people discovered a new way of observing dogs and understanding their calming signals.

This book, “The Language of Dogs: Calming Signals”, is only an introduction, because canine language has to be understood within the context in which it appears, but it is undoubtedly an excellent introduction. Unlike us, animals such as dogs share a UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE that helps them communicate with one another. Knowing these signals is therefore extremely important if we want to understand dogs and help them when necessary.

Calming signals, also known as appeasement signals, are used above all to prevent conflict between dogs and between dogs and people. They also give us information about how the dog is feeling.

You may already know some of the ideas I am going to mention from the book, but I am sure many readers will discover new ways of understanding why dogs behave as they do.

The book is useful both for people living with a dog at home and for professionals working with dogs in behaviour modification, basic obedience, shelters, skills training and many other areas. It really is a book for everyone.

CONTENTS OF THE BOOK

1. CALMING SIGNALS: The insurance policy
2. CALMING SIGNALS: How to identify and use them
3. CASE HISTORIES: the stories of five very different dogs
4. THE STRESSED DOG. Dogs also become stressed in situations involving fear, pain or discomfort. They become stressed when we are angry with them and correct them. They may become excited during play or around a female in season, but above all they become stressed WHEN THEY FEEL UNABLE TO RESOLVE A SITUATION.
5. YOUR CHOICE: This is our part. The book offers advice on learning to relate better to our dogs and enjoy life together.

For species that live in groups, communication with other members of the group is essential. It helps them cooperate when hunting, raise their young and, perhaps most importantly, live peacefully with one another. Conflict is dangerous. It causes physical injury and weakens the group, something no social group can afford if it is to survive.

Dogs live in a world of sensations: visual, olfactory and auditory perceptions. They notice tiny details very easily: a fleeting signal, a slight change in another individual’s behaviour, the expression in our eyes… Group-living animals can be extraordinarily sensitive to signals. A horse can be trained to respond to minute changes in our body, and a dog can learn to respond to a whisper. There is no need to shout commands or deliberately deepen the voice to sound angry — what Karen Pryor describes as “swatting flies with a shovel”.

Dogs have around 30 calming signals, perhaps even more.

Some signals are used by most dogs, while certain individuals have an extraordinarily rich “vocabulary”. It varies from dog to dog.

The problem

Dogs use this communication system with us because it is the language they know, and they assume that we understand it.

If you fail to recognise that your dog is using calming signals with you, and perhaps even punish the dog for doing so, you risk causing serious harm. Some dogs simply stop using calming signals, even with other dogs. Others can become so desperate and frustrated that they develop aggressive, nervous or highly stressed behaviour. Puppies and young dogs may even become overwhelmed or shut down.

Basic knowledge

Dad calls Prince. He has been told in class that he needs to look strict and dominant so Prince understands who is in charge. To Prince, Dad’s voice sounds threatening. Being a dog, Prince immediately offers a calming signal in an attempt to stop the aggressive behaviour. He may lick his nose, yawn or turn away. Dad then becomes genuinely angry because he interprets Prince as stubborn and disobedient. Prince is punished for using signals intended to calm his owner. This is a typical example of something that happens every day between dogs and people. We need to learn canine language so that we can understand what dogs are telling us.

How dogs usecalming signals

Yawning

A dog may yawn when someone bends over them, when your voice sounds angry, when there is shouting or arguing in the family, at the veterinary clinic, when someone walks directly towards them, when they are overexcited with anticipation — for example by the door before a walk — when you ask them to do something they do not want to do, when a training session lasts too long and the dog becomes tired, after being told off for something, and in many other situations.

Actions that the dog may perceive as threatening (walking directly towards the dog, reaching out to grab them, leaning over them, staring into their eyes, making sudden movements, and so on) will often cause the dog to use a calming signal. There are around 30 different signals, so while many dogs may yawn, others may choose a different response.

All dogs are familiar with the repertoire of calming signals. One dog may yawn and turn the head while the dog they are “speaking” to licks the nose, turns away or offers another signal entirely. The signals are international and universal.

Dogs throughout the world share the same basic language. A dog from Japan can communicate with a dog living in an isolated Norwegian valley.They will have no communication problem!

Licking

Licking the noseis another frequently used signal. It can be especially noticeable in black dogs, dogs with a lot of hair around the face and dogs whose facial expressions are otherwise difficult to read. Any dog can use it, however, and other dogs understand it no matter how quickly it happens. A brief, rapid flick of the tongue over the nose is easiest to see when looking at the dog from the front.

The best way to learn to see it is to sit quietly somewhere and observe. Once you have learned to notice nose licking, you will also begin to see it while walking your dog.

Sometimes it is nothing more than an extremely quick tongue flick, with only the tip of the tongue visible for an instant. Other dogs see it, understand it and respond. A signal is very often answered by another signal.

Turning away / turning the head

The dog may turn the head slightly to one side,turn the head completely away or turn the whole body around, so that the back and tail face the individual the dog is trying to calm.

When someone approaches your dog head-on, the dog may move away in one of these ways. If you look angry, aggressive or threatening, you may also see variations of this signal. When you lean over a dog to pet them, they may turn the head away. During a training session that is too long or difficult, the dog may look away. If something suddenly surprises the dog, or the dog surprises someone else, the head may turn rapidly. The same can happen when someone stares or behaves in a threatening way.

In most cases, this signal helps the other dog calm down. It is an excellent conflict-management tool and dogs use it constantly, whether they are puppies or adults, socially confident or less confident. Let your dog use it. Dogs are experts at resolving and avoiding conflict. They know how to manage difficult social situations.

Play bow

Lowering the front of the body with the forelegs stretched forward in a bow, may be an invitation toplayif the dog moves from side to side playfully. Frequently, however, the dog remains still in this position.

The dog may be using the posture to calm another individual. These signals often have more than one meaning and can be used in different ways. An invitation toplaycan itself act as a calming signal because the dog is making apotentially dangerous situation less tenseand redirecting it towards something safer.

Recently, during a puppy class with a mixed group, one puppy was initially afraid of the others. The other puppies left him alone and respected his fear. Eventually he dared to approach them. When he did, he dropped into a play bow as soon as the other puppies looked at him. It was an obvious combination of a little fear and a desire to join the play.

When two dogs approach one another suddenly, you will often see a play bow. This is one of the easier signals to notice, partly because the dog may remain in the position for several seconds, giving you time to observe it.

Sniffing the ground

Sniffing the ground is a frequently used signal. You will see it often in groups of puppies and also when you are walking your dog and someone approaches, in busy places, in noisy environments or when the dog notices an object that is unfamiliar and slightly intimidating.

Ground sniffing can range from a quick movement of the nose down towards the ground and back up again to pressing the nose to the ground and sniffing persistently for several minutes.

Is someone approaching you along the pavement?Look at your dog. Has the nose moved down towards the ground, even slightly? Has the dog turned sideways to the approaching person and begun sniffing the edge of the path?Of course, dogs also sniff simply to gather information and enjoy themselves — to “read the newspaper”. Dogs are biologically equipped to use their noses and sniffing is one of their favourite activities. But in certain contexts it can also be a calming signal. Pay attention to when and in what situations the sniffing appears.

Moving slowly

Speed can be perceived as threatening by many dogs, and some may want to approach and stop a person or dog that is running.This is partly connected with predatory behaviour and can be triggered by seeing a person or another dog running. When the runner comes directly towards the dog, the movement may also be experienced as a threat and a defensive response can be activated.

A dog that does not feel safe may move slowly. If you want a dog to feel safer, slow your own movements. When I see a dog respond to me with a calming signal, I immediately slow down.

Does your dog come very slowly when called?If so, listen to your tone of voice.Does it sound stern, as though you are angry?That alone may be enough to make the dog try to calm you by approaching slowly.Have you ever been angry with the dog when they came towards you?That may be one reason the dog does not fully trust what will happen on return. Another reason for slowing down may be that whenever you call the dog and they come, you immediately put the lead on and end their freedom.

Watch your dog the next time you call.Do you see any calming signals while the dog approaches?If the dog moves slowly, you may need to change the way you respond.

Freezing

We say that a dog freezes, when the dog stops and becomes completely still, whether standing, sitting or lying down, and remains in that position. This behaviour is sometimes linked to predatory instinct. When prey runs, a predator pursues; when the prey stops, the predator may also stop. We often see a similar pattern when a dog chases a cat. Freezing, however, also occurs in many social situations. When you are angry, aggressive or threatening, a dog may become completely still in an attempt to make you “nice again”. At other times the dog may walk slowly, freeze and then begin moving slowly again. Many owners interpret a dog that sits, lies down or stays perfectly still as simply being very obedient.Could the dog actually be using a calming signal?Very often a dog stops and remains still when someone approaches. If your dog wants to stop or move slowly in such a situation, allow it. If the dog is caught in a conflict with a person or another dog and cannot escape, freezing may be a way of trying to calm the other individual.

Sitting / offering a paw

I have rarely seendogs offer a paw specifically as a calming signal, but on some occasions it has clearly been used in that way. Sitting can also be calming, and an even stronger version is sitting with the back turned to someone — for example to the owner. This is often seen when one dog wants to calm another that is approaching too quickly.Dogs may sit with their back towards their owner when the owner appears angry or severe.

Curving / making an arc

This signal is frequently used as a calming signal and is one of the main reasons whydogs can react so badly when they meet another dog and are forced to walk directly towards it.Their instincts tell them that approaching straight on is socially uncomfortable. Owners often think differently and force a direct approach. The dog becomes anxious and defensive. We then have a dog that barks and lunges at other dogs and, over time, the pattern can develop into more serious aggression.

When given the opportunity, dogs usually approach one another in a curve.That is what they do when they meet off lead and are free to organise the encounter themselves. Allow your dog to do something similar when walking with you.

Some dogs need a wide arc while others need only a small curve. Let your dog choose the distance that feels appropriate and safe. With time, if necessary, the dog may learn to pass other dogs more closely.

Allow your dog to curve around the dog they are meeting!Do not insist on a strict heel while you walk straight at another dog. Give your dog the opportunity to make an arc and pass at a comfortable distance. If the lead remains loose and the dog can make choices, you will often see that the dog simply prefers to move past rather than become frantic.

For the same reason, do not walk straight towards a dog yourself. Approach in an arc. The more anxious or aggressive the dog appears, the wider the curve should be.

Splitting / stepping between

(**)When a dog physically places themselves between other dogs or people, the aim may be to calm the situation.This is another calming signal. Excessive closeness can make dogs uncomfortable, particularly when two dogs are tense or threatening towards one another. A third dog may therefore step between them to separate the individuals and reduce the risk of conflict.

It can also happen with people:Your dog may place themselves between you and your partner when you are cuddling on the sofa, when you hold and fuss over a small child, or when you dance closely with someone. The dog may become uncomfortable with the intense proximity and step in as a way of reducing social tension.Stepping between is a direct and effective calming signal. Other calming signals: so far we have looked at some of the most common ones. There are around 30, and several have only been described relatively recently. Here are a few more to watch for:

• “Smiling”, either by drawing the corners of the mouth backwards and upwards or by showing theteethin a smile-like expression
• Licking the lips
• Smackingor clicking the lips (**)
• Wagging the tail. If a dog is showing signs of anxiety, appeasement or anything else that has little to do with happiness, tail wagging is not necessarily an expression of joy. It may instead be part of the dog’s attempt to calm you or the situation.
• Urination. A dog that crouches and creeps towards an owner while urinating and wagging the tail is showing several very clear signs of appeasement — and fear. The dog may also try to jump up and lick around the person’s mouth.
• Softening and rounding the face, with the ears held back so that the dog looks more puppy-like. From the dog’s point of view, puppy-like behaviour may reduce the likelihood of threat.
• Lying with the belly against the ground. This should not automatically be interpreted as submission. A dog rolling fully onto the back is a different posture.

Lying flat with the belly against the ground can function as a calming signal, and signals are often combined. A dog might urinate while turning away and presenting the back, for example. That combination can be a very clear attempt to calm an overenthusiastic adolescent dog.

Some dogs behave in an exaggeratedly puppy-like way, bouncing around and acting “silly”, throwing sticks into the air and so on when they notice a frightened dog nearby. The behaviour is thought to have, and often does have, a calming effect.

The approach

When two unfamiliar dogs approach one another, the encounter will rarely consist of dramatic displays of submission or what people often call dominant behaviour.

A normal meeting between two dogs may look more like this:

King and Princesee one another at a distance of about 150 metres and are facing each other. They begin exchanging messages from the moment they notice one another. Prince stops and remains still, while King walks slowly and glances sideways.

As King approaches, Prince begins licking his nose repeatedly, turns his side towards King and starts sniffing the ground.

King is now close enough that he needs to be even more reassuring, so he approaches Prince in a slow curve and begins licking his own nose as well.

By this point the two dogs have “read” one another so well that they already know whether they want to approach and greet or whether the situation feels intense enough that they would rather remain apart.

Never force a dog to approach another dog.

Allow dogs to use their own language when they meet so that they can feel safe.Sometimes they will approach one another and get on well. At other times they feel safer staying at a distance. They have already read one another’s calming signals, even from many metres away. There is no need for every encounter to become a face-to-face greeting.

In Canada, a dog trainer who attended one of Turid Rugaas’s seminars suggested another name for calming signals: the “Language of Peace”.That is exactly what it is.It is a language that gives dogs ways to avoid and resolve conflict and live together peacefully. Dogs are experts at it. Start observing and you will see it for yourself. Once you begin noticing what dogs are really saying, you are likely to understand situations that previously made little sense and to develop a better relationship with your own dog and with others. It is both fascinating and educational.

Fear posture and fear-related aggression

It is very important to recognise fearful behaviour in a dog. Doing so helps us interpret the dog’s emotional state and respond appropriately. Below are two postures that can indicate fear:

In the first illustrationwe can see a dogshowing intense fear. The tail is tucked between the legs, the dog licks the lips, the ears are held back and the body is crouched.

In the second illustrationwe see a dogwho is also afraid, but is responding defensively: the dog shows the teeth, the limbs are stiff and the coat is raised. Great care is needed because a fearful dog displaying defensive aggression may react with considerable force, especially if they feel cornered. The dog may give rapid warning barks without pauses and may also growl, pant, whine or cry.

Confident posture and offensive aggression

Now we can contrast this with the body language of a confident dog, which is very different from the postures described above:

In the first illustrationwe see aconfident, stable dog. The tail is relaxed, the ears are in a neutral position and the overall posture does not indicate fear.

In the second illustrationwe seea dog displaying offensive aggression. Through these warning signals the dog is attempting to increase distance from the dog, person or object causing the reaction. The coat may be raised, the muzzle wrinkled, the teeth visible and the limbs very stiff. The tail is often held high. Barking may be short and sharp, expressing discomfort or threat in the situation.

Book:

THE LANGUAGE OF DOGS: CALMING SIGNALS.

TURID RUGAAS

• Number of pages: 60
• Publisher: KNS EDICIONES
• Language: SPANISH
• Binding: Paperback
• ISBN: 9788493323257

Source:

http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1

https://www.expertoanimal.com/