Speaking Dog As A Second Language

In addition to observing body language to determine what dogs are thinking and feeling, we can mimic dog signals ourselves too share our thoughts and intentions with them. In her book, On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals, Turid Rugaas uses the example of head turning as a signal we can both read and use. Dogs turn their heads to look away to signal that they mean no harm, are uncomfortable with a situation, or to avoid rudely looking straight on at another dog. (Or all of the above.)

There are many signals we can easily use that are easily recognizable to most dogs. For instance, Blocking and Laying Down. Other signals are harder to mimic or may not be as recognizable to dogs. Not all of us are good at pulling off a sneeze on demand, for example. Dogs don't always recognize our hands and feet as paw equivalents, so signals that require a paw can also be difficult to reproduce meaningfully.

What signals can you reproduce effectively?

Sneezing Take 2

A behaviour I've noticed with Max is that he sneezes to get attention. I don't mean in the sense of "Hey, play with me", but to make sure that people and bigger dogs know that his is present so they won't accidentally step on him or run him over. I suspect this is because it gives him an excuse to move and make noise for his own safety while making it clear that he is not threatening.

After noticing that he does this, I realize I've seen it in other small dogs as well.

Does your small dog sneeze like this?

Stress Signs - Calming Signals

I previously stated that stress signals are not calming signals because while dogs may use them to calm themselves, they don't usually have the effect of calming dogs around them. However, dogs can use calming signals in an attempt to calm themselves down when stressed. In that case they are also stress signs.

Max licks his paws when he is stressed to calm himself. He will do this when stressed even if there is no dog or person to see. (He leaves evidence in the form of missing hair on the tops of his paws.)

Like other stress signs, our dogs need us to pay attention to them and intervene.

All Dogs Are Not Your Dog

When using dog body language to understand your dog or the dogs around you, it is really important to remember that your dog is an individual. While dogs in general may generally use given behaviour for a given reason, your dog may have his or her own reason for doing it. For instance, sneezing is often used as a calming signal to let show that the sneezing dog is not a threat, but my dog Max also uses it to make sure that people and other animals know he's there. He is especially likely to do this with me if I am ignoring him. Part of this is because I reinforce calming signals that other dogs are likely to recognize and even put them on cue, but part of it is just his personality.

While body language is an important communication method for dogs, it isn't just black and white fill in the blank communication. Just like us, there is subtlety and different "words" have different meanings from one dog to another and one place to another.

Yawning

Because both humans and dogs naturally yawn, it is one of the easiest ways for humans to use body language to communicate with dogs. It is well documented that dogs use yawning to tell each other (and other animals) that everything is okay and there is nothing to worry about (i.e. a classic calming signal.)

What is less well-documented is that dogs will yawn looking for feedback or reassurance as well. In other words, in addition to saying "Hey, everything's fine," they'll ask "Everything's fine, right?" by yawning and looking for a yawn (or other reaction) in return. My dog, Pico, shown here caught mid-yawn, uses yawning in both these contexts all the time. It is her all-time favorite, calming signal. We use this in training all the time. If she is looking unsure or we are going into a situation that I know is difficult for her (such as needing to ignore a badly behaved dog ahead of us on the sidewalk), I'll just yawn at her. When we are practicing things like long stays or waits (or actually doing them in real life), I look at her and yawn so she knows she is doing the right thing. She will also yawn at me if she needs feedback that she's still doing the right thing. Over time, this has almost become a reward for her. Yawning is particularly useful in service dog public access training, because you can yawn at your dog in situations where verbal praise or treats would be distracting or inappropriate.

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