Understanding your Dog – Dog postures
Understanding your Dog by watching dog postures
Two Dogs Posturing
The word ‘pet’ comes from the Scottish Gaelic word ‘peata’, which means “to love by caressing and fondling’ for many dog owners, the dog’s role as an object for affectionate contact is a central part of the relationship.
Understanding how dogs communicate with other dogs and people is something that is very important to know for every one. This knowledge can prevent a dog biting you. Very seldom does someone get bitten without the dog first communicating their attitude.
Five Dogs Interacting and Posturing
Dog postures are general descriptions: watch your own dog and watch other dogs.
You will learn the deferent moods and their posture communications.
Communication allows dogs and people to become familiar with one another, to bond with each other, and to live peacefully with one another.
Communications –the exchange of social information helps dogs express their emotional and motivational states.
Dogs Postures
Aggressive
Stiff legs and body
Ears back (may be forward)
Teeth barred
Hackles rose
Eyes fixed (or eyes narrowed)
Lips drawn back
Growls
Submissive
A dog rolls over on his back with tail between his legs or tail down head lowered and licking up, ears flat or back
Dominant
A dog resting his chin on another dog’s back, mount another dog to show that he is the alpha dog in the group. Tail up or back, sanding tall, eyes fixed ears up and forward.
Friendly
Smiling, happy face.
Panting
Short, high-pitched barking accompanied by a relaxed facial expression
Tail wagging held out and up from body.
Playful
“Play bow” Leaning down tail waging happily.
Alert
Tail may move from side to side, standing tall, ears forward, eyes wide.
