READING
DOG BODY LANGUAGE
This
dog is under extreme stress.
 |
|
Looking
to handler for reassurance.
Ears
back and down, pinned flat against neck. Wide
open mouth, lips drawn back, rapid respiration.
Center
of gravity forward, shoulders lowered, hunched forward.
Tail
tucked, tension in haunches, probably trembling.
How
to greet this dog: Stand sideways, using calming signals - yawn, deep
sigh, pick at the floor (imitates sniffing) will help her relax and feel
safer.
Avoid stroking and cooing "it's ok, it's alright." Excess adrenalin
results in suppressed appetite; the dog will be able to take food when
her stress level comes down.
|
Calming signals, appeasement
 |
|
Body
curved in C-shape
Head
lowered and turned away, nose down
Ears
lowered but relaxed
Tenseness
over eyebrows
Eyes
squinted but soft, blinking
Lips
soft
Nose,
lip lick
Body
weight shifted, paw probably raised
|
This
dog is trying to appear as non-threatening as possible, his goal is to diffuse
any aggression from approaching person or animal in a totally passive way. By
using appropriate body language and calming signals, you could easily let this
dog know that you are non-threatening and ease his tension. Don't loom, hover
or stare. Get low, turn sideways, use soft eye and quiet voice.
Avoidance
- aggressive response likely if approached too quickly or cornered.
 |
|
Dog is in
C-shape, looking away, but head is lifted slightly, pupils dilated in
a frozen stare, watching with peripheral vision.
Center of
gravity is toward oncoming"threat"
Ears back
and lowered, tail low.
Lips are
forward and in tense line.
Tenseness
over muzzle, whiskers erect.
Tenseness
in the haunches.
"Frozen"
defense (freeze, fight or flight)
|
While this dog is not looking for a fight, it is likely that if reached for
suddenly, it would react in self defense with a rapid, probably inhibited, series
of fast bites.
"La-la-la-la
I don't see you."
 |
|
Note:
this dog is not looking to a person for reassurance, he's looking at the
wall - trying to be invisible.
Nose
up, ears back.
Whale
eye stare.
Lips drawn back. (fear)
Flight
would be his first choice, but he is cornered by being on leash and against
a wall.
|
 |
|
This pup has also
flattened himself against the wall, this time in a more actively self-defensive
posture.
Ears back, whale
eye, focused on person holding his leash.
Lips are tight,
whiskers forward.
Tail is up, not
tucked - he is probably just as stressed but is more confident/aroused
than the previous pup.
The previous pup
would probably hurt HIMSELF trying to get away, this pup might hurt YOU.
|
Beware
the cornered dog. You must always leave an escape route.
..
Pup
A.
Head is lowered, whale eye, ears back. Backed into corner, lips tight and forward.
Shoulders lowered, weight shifted to left, looking for escape route.
Pup
B.
Chin up, pupils dilated. Ears back & down, tightness over muzzle, lips forward,
whiskers erect. Backed into a corner, legs braced. Direct stare, prepared defend
self. Which is more likely bite?
Both
of these pups are stressed, fearful and willing to defend themselves if pressed.
Pup B is probably most prepared to bite at this moment.
Similar, and yet so different.
Dog at right is telling you with his eyes exactly where he intends to bite.
Response
to looming and staring.
A. Direct eye contact
-could growl if feels challenged. .B. Big calming
signal - appeasing nose lick.
Relaxed,
confident and well-socialized.
Lips, ears, facial
muscles, eyes are relaxed, respiration normal.
For
more information on body language and calming signals,
Turrid Rugaas' Calming Signals booklet and video, available through Dogwise!
This
handout may be reprinted in its entirety for distribution free of charge and
with full credit given:
© CAROL A. BYRNES "DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF" Training for Dogs & Their People -
ditr_training @ hotmail.com - http://www.diamondsintheruff.com
Back to
the behavior list
