Understanding Body Language

Overall posture, tail position, and individual facial expressions are key components of a dog’s body language. These elements collectively enable dogs to express a range of emotions with varying degrees, thereby adding depth and subtlety to how they communicate their emotional states (Figure 2.3).

Assertive/Aggressive (Distance‐Increasing) Signals

Dogs displaying distance‐increasing body language are often dogs that feel threatened; these dogs are not “mean” or “angry,” and understanding their underlying emotional state is important (Frank 2013). These dogs are attempting to display signals that will prevent the threat, be it another animal or a person, from continuing to approach and encourage them to back away or retreat (Figure 2.4). This type of body language typically begins subtly but increases as the signals are ignored and the threat persists. It is also important to note that dogs whose body language signs have been previously ignored or punished may start at a higher level of arousal with less subtle signs in future situations (Landsberg et al. 2013).

One of the most subtle distance‐increasing behaviors that dogs display is a direct stare (Figure 2.5) (Siniscalchi et al. 2018). This behavior can be easily overlooked by those not paying attention to mild changes in a dog’s body language; awareness of these subtle signs can help prevent a situation from escalating.

Dogs whose stares have been ignored may progress in the behavioral sequence. Pulling the corners of the lips back and snarling can be the next stage. The snarl may start relatively subtly as well by involving only one side of the mouth or a very small portion of the lip (Figure 2.6). This change in facial expression may be accompanied by growling or barking. As the dog’s behavior continues to escalate, they may lower their head, which can make them appear larger.

As the threat persists, the dog will shift their weight forward and stiffen their legs. They will also piloerect (raise) the hair over their tail, shoulders, and back, which indicates a state of high emotional arousal (Figure 2.7) (Siniscalchi et al. 2018). Throughout this sequence, the dog may hold their tail vertically and may move it in a slow and deliberate manner or display flagging behavior by moving their tail rapidly. Ultimately, the dog’s behavior may progress to an inhibited bite (snap), which will eventually become a true bite with less inhibition if signals are still ignored (Landsberg et al. 2013).

Appeasement Signals and “Guilt”

Appeasement behaviors are displayed in an effort to diffuse tension and decrease a perceived threat. Dogs displaying appeasing signals are seeking to avoid conflict (Figure 2.8). Similar to distance‐increasing signals, appeasement behaviors can range from very subtle to more overt postures. It is important to note that dogs whose appeasement behaviors have been ignored may begin to display aggressive body language.

Subtle Beginnings of Appeasement

Appeasement behaviors typically start with the dog avoiding eye contact and looking away (Landsberg et al. 2013). The dog may move only their eyes or may turn their whole head and twist their neck to indicate their underlying emotional state more overtly. They may also lower their ear posture and increase the frequency of blinking (Figures 2.9 and 2.10) (Siniscalchi et al. 2018).

Progression of Appeasement Signals

Dogs displaying appeasing signals may also lick their lips and yawn (Figure 2.11). They typically hold their tail low, sometimes even tucked between their back legs. The tail may wag slightly, but this behavior often ceases when the dog is touched as they enter “freeze” mode (Beaver 2009).

Extreme Fear Responses

As appeasement behaviors progress, dogs may lower their body toward the ground and take up a crouched position. They may ultimately completely lay down and even roll over onto their backs, exposing their ventral abdomen (Figure 2.12) (Hargrave 2017a). Dogs may also urinate as their appeasement behaviors continue. When dogs roll over in order to express appeasement, this can be a sign of fear and conflict.

Misinterpretation as “Guilt”

Many caregivers will misidentify appeasement behaviors as “guilt” (Figure 2.13) (Hecht et al. 2012; Konok et al. 2015; Pickersgill et al. 2023). However, dogs may not necessarily understand the concept of wrongdoing or why a person is upset (Martens et al. 2016). Instead, these behaviors often result from the dog sensing a potential threat from a person’s body language. The dog then displays a range of appeasement behaviors, sometimes even rolling over onto their back, in an effort to avoid or diffuse any aggressive response from humans.

Conflict Behaviors

Conflict behaviors in dogs arise from a state of internal conflict, where the dog experiences opposing desires or motivations. A common example is a dog greeting a visitor: in this case the dog may want to interact with the new person but simultaneously be feeling fearful of them. These conflicting motivations can lead to significant stress and anxiety in the dog, which are evident in their body language and behavior.

Misinterpretation of Behaviors

A classic example of misinterpretation is when a dog rolls onto their back. Not all instances of this behavior are solicitations for attention. It could be an invitation for a belly rub, but it could also be a sign of extreme conflict or uncertainty. In situations where the dog shows a direct stare, tight mouth, ears back, tail tucked, and stiff legs, which are indications of distance‐increasing behaviors and signal discomfort, it is best to avoid an interaction. Instead, walk a few steps away and call the dog. This helps to determine their true motivational state and whether they are soliciting attention or asking for attention to stop (Figure 2.14).

Mixed Postures Due to Emotional Discomfort

Conflict behaviors often manifest as a mixture of postures, reflecting a dog’s emotional discomfort in a given situation. Typically, these dogs are experiencing anxiety or frustration. They may have learned that their subtle warning signs, such as avoiding eye contact, leaning away, or even growling, are routinely ignored or in some cases punished (Figure 2.15). This can lead to an escalation in behavior. For these dogs, aggressive signals can become the default behavior once they learn that they are effective in stopping uncomfortable situations. While punishment may suppress these signals, it does not address their underlying cause. Furthermore, punishment can result in the loss of early warning signs, potentially leading to an escalation in aggression with little to no warning.

Simultaneous or Alternating Behaviors

Dogs in a state of conflict may display a combination of aggressive and appeasing behaviors at the same time. For example, a dog might tuck their tail while leaning forward, or alternate between appeasing signals like lip‐licking and yawning and more aggressive behaviors such as growling. Some will display a grin (retract lips and display incisors). This alternating or simultaneous display of behaviors is indicative of the dog’s internal conflict and emotional discomfort (Landsberg et al. 2013).

Display of Displacement Behaviors

Dogs experiencing conflicting emotions may also engage in displacement behaviors, which are essentially stress‐relieving actions. These can include spinning in circles, shaking their heads, or other repetitive actions that do not seem to have a clear purpose in the context of the situation (Table 2.1).

Solicitous (Distance‐Decreasing) Signals

Solicitous behaviors are invitations to interact and play and communicate that the dog is happy and comfortable in the environment. These dogs will have a relaxed face (Figure 2.18) and loose body posture. During appropriate play, dogs may offer a play bow, lowering onto their forearms while elevating their tail, (Figures 2.16) (Beaver 2009) take turns, and use good bite inhibition (Siniscalchi et al. 2018). It is important to monitor dogs closely during play to ensure that the situation is not escalating and that all dogs are still enjoying the interaction.

Appears tired or disinterested Barking Biting Biting/chewing on leash or caregiver’s hands/clothing Blinking Closing eyes Crouching Ears back and/or flattened Easily startled, ears twitching as if listening Excessive salivation Full body shake Furrowed brow Growling Hypervigilant (scanning and trouble settling) Ignoring familiar cues Involuntary urination or defecation Lip/nose‐licking Lunging Lying down Mounting behavior Moving away, avoiding contact with hands Not eating/refusal of food or snatching treats Pawing

Piloerection (raised hackles) Raised paw (foreleg) Rolling over Scratching at neck Shaking/trembling Shedding Showing whites of eyes (whale eye) Sitting close to caregiver Slow deliberate movements/moving in slow motion Snapping Sniffing ground Staring Stiff body/muscle tension Sweaty paws Tail tucked Tail carried high with tight wag Tight mouth Turning body away Turning head away Urine marking Walking away Yawning

Domestication and Its Effect on Behavior

Domestication has had a substantial impact on dog behavior (Fuller and Fox 1969). In many ways, domestication has made it easier for humans and dogs to communicate with each other (Driscoll et al. 2009; Feuerstein and Terkel 2008). However, there are also several challenges that have resulted.

Domestication has brought numerous benefits to the human–dog relationship. Dogs have developed a remarkable ability to understand human social cues and can learn by observing human actions (Udell et al. 2010). Compared to wolves, dogs generally show less aggression and avoidance behavior toward people (Lazzaroni et al. 2020). Instead, they exhibit a preference for human contact and often look to humans for assistance in challenging situations (Marshall‐Pescini et al. 2017). Dogs are more inclined to depend on people in dangerous scenarios and tend to form bonds with their caregivers that can easily extend to other humans. They exhibit less fear toward people and are genetically predisposed to increased sociability (Lazzaroni et al. 2020). This shift includes changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis, which affects their stress responses. Additionally, the presence of the levator anguli oculi medialis muscle in dogs (absent in wolves) allows them to significantly raise their inner eyebrows, enhancing communication with humans (Figure 2.19) (Kaminski et al. 2019).

The Role of Breed in Interpretation

When considering a dog’s body language, it is important to account for the dog’s breed, as selective breeding has further modified physical traits (Wheat et al. 2019). For instance, brachycephalic breeds have a reduced ability to display a full range of facial expressions due to their unique physical structure. Some breeds, like the French Bulldog and Welsh Corgi, have been bred to have short tails, which limits their ability to communicate using tail position and movement. Additionally, breeds like the Spanish Water Dog and Rhodesian Ridgeback have distinctive hair coats that affect their communication abilities. These coats can impact their use of piloerection (hair standing on end) in communication and may obscure facial features. These breed‐specific differences not only affect the dog’s ability to perform body language signals, but they also make it more challenging for other dogs and people to accurately interpret these visual communication cues.

Social Behavior

Dogs are inherently social creatures, capable of recognizing their kind even after prolonged periods of separation (Hepper 1994). Free‐roaming dogs often form social groups, though the concept of “dominance” as commonly perceived is a misconception of their social interactions. Rather than rigid hierarchies maintained by aggression, social structures among dogs are typically established through displays of appeasement and affiliative behaviors that foster group cohesion (Bradshaw et al. 2009; Bradshaw and Rooney 2016).

In any given situation, a dog’s behavior is influenced by various factors, including the value they place on a resource they wish to control and their past experiences. For instance, a dog that has repeatedly experienced fear‐based aggression may start to show fewer appeasement signals over time if those signals have been consistently ignored. Dogs also assess and interpret the behaviors of other dogs, making judgments about whether a situation will likely be resolved through escalation or appeasement. Interestingly, the relative sizes of the dogs involved do not appear to significantly influence these interactions (Bradshaw and Lea 1993).

Dogs also make use of a variety of vocal communications, including barks, whines, and growls. The specific acoustic profiles of each vary with the context (Yin and McCowen 2004). For example, barks are typically low‐frequency sounds when directed toward a stranger but high‐frequency and more musical when performed during play. As another example, a growl emitted during play has a different sound quality than a growl emitted during guarding behavior (Farago et al. 2010). Further, dogs attune to and respond to the vocalizations of other dogs in a context‐dependent manner as well (Farago et al. 2010; Yin and McCowen 2004).

In fact, dogs use vocal communication as well as visual signals to initiate and maintain play. Play behaviors are usually behaviors that are also exhibited in other situations; for example, play behaviors often encompass behaviors performed while hunting or mating. However, there are major differences in the nuance and specifics between the different contexts. For example, biting during play is typically inhibited and does not lead to injury, whereas biting during a fight or hunt is often uninhibited and meant to injure.

Throughout play, dogs pay attention to the communication signals of their playmates to ensure behaviors are properly interpreted (Feuerstein and Terkel 2008).

Reproductive Behavior

Differences from Wolf Pack Structures

In contrast to wolf packs, which are family units with both paternal care and parental assistance in raising offspring, dogs, especially in feral conditions, do not form family groups. This represents a significant behavioral shift resulting from domestication and adaptation to different living environments (Pal et al. 1999). Feral dog colonies typically consist of a small group of adults, usually between five and ten individuals, along with their dependent offspring (Pal 2011

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue

Share this:

• X
• Facebook

Related

Related posts:

1. What Is a Behavior Problem?
2. Basic Learning Theory and Choosing a Trainer
3. Pet Selection
4. Setting Puppies Up for Success

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join