How Does Your Dog Communicate With You
What is your pet dog telling you? How to understand what your dog is communicating with you.
ANIMALS&PETS
EMPATHIZE WITH YOUR DOG, CANINE
Animals do not speak our language. It does not mean they do not communicate with us. They are highly expressive and communicate with us in their ways. This article covers the most common ways dogs express themselves.
Are Dogs Honest?
When we describe someone as honest, we mean they always express the truth. They do not try to mislead people. In the world of animals, deceit is unknown, especially with dogs. Dogs, just like any other being are very expressive. Their feelings are direct and honest, straightforward and refreshing! Not just once, but always. Your pet dog is sincere, candid, frank, straightforward, and direct. It's in their nature to be so.
Listening, paying attention to your dog's expressions, and communicating is knowing you are not being misled. Observing will help you decipher what they are trying to share and help you act accordingly.
Engaging your pet
Dogs, like anybody else, require our attention. They are very open about it. They often put their heads on your lap and look up to you. Sometimes dogs chase their tails or keep running, rolling around or just jumping at or around you. In the worst case, they may end up barking excessively. It's their way of saying, ‘Come on, I am bored’.
There are ways to engage them. Grab a towel or any piece of cloth for instance and start playing tug-of-war or throw a ball to play fetch. Take the dog for a walk. Change the walking routine, go to a different place, vary the pace, a quick run, a steady jogging pace. Dog’s love running. It will help them burn off the excess energy.
Give them attention
Dogs are social creatures, just like us. Pay attention to them and keep them engaged. Give them a belly rub or rub behind their ears or gently move your hand over their head and backs. Dogs enjoy these and it makes them comfortable. When they place their heads on your lap, its a sign of trust and affection. Give them chew toys. These toys will keep them busy.
Engage them in your household work. Talk to them. While they may not understand what you are saying, they get that you are giving them attention. Sometimes, saying things such as, it’s time to put your clothes in the washing machine will animate them. You will be surprised at how quickly they learn. My pet learned my routine within three to four such calls and has been an active participant, by bringing me clothes or even the laundry basket. They are smart. While you are engaging them in this way, make sure you appreciate their help by giving them a quick rub, sweet talk to them and occasionally give them a quick treat.
Doggy Licks
Licks on your face could mean many things. Licking is an instinctive behavior right from their puppy days. This habit typically indicates affection. If your dog has not been fed or is feeding time, licking could indicate that it's hungry and needs to be fed. They are smart enough to run over to the kitchen area or even stop near their feeding plate/bowls and get your attention to indicate that they need to be fed. They become excited and start to playfully jump around and continue to share their happiness through many more licks, when we smile, laugh, or playfully rub our dog. Licking is a method used by pups to show that they want a friendly and safe interaction. It’s best to understand the situation and react accordingly. Try out a few things, such as cuddling them, or giving them a snack to determine their hunger. If they are, they will gobble down the snack quickly and look at you with expectation, for more.
A Dogs tail is a good barometer
A wagging tail is a very good indicator of happiness, delight, and an ‘it’s wonderful to see or be with you’ attitude. Should you be getting ready to take him for a walk, you will notice that your pet is wagging his tail in anticipation. It also indicates friendliness when the dog wiggles his hips and his body moves loosely along with the tail.
However, one should learn to differentiate between a dog being friendly and being alert. An alert dog tends to wag his tail fast and holds his tail stiffly and vertically. You will also notice that the dog is still and his eyes are very focused on you or something else. This is a sign that something has caught his attention, aroused him and he may be startled if you approach it suddenly. In such cases, if we go near a dog, they may snap or tend to bite. Do not approach the dog, wait until its behavior is normal and then engage it.
Sometimes dogs tend to angle their head sideways in such situations, which could indicate that they are curious. In any case, avoid approaching the dog immediately. Stay away until he is out of this mood and approach him later.
You may also want to stay away when a dog is looking at you while he wags his tail slowly. You will notice that he seems to be thinking or contemplating his next move. It’s another sign that he is not friendly.
When the tail is between its legs it means that the dog is scared. Should the dog's tail be pointing downwards, which means that the dog is uncomfortable and apprehensive? Please stay away from the dog.
It’s difficult to judge a dog’s mood. Consider their environment and their body behavior. Over time, it will become easier to understand its feelings
Our body language and tone
At some point, we would have gotten angry with our pet. We would have shouted at them or even used whatever was in our hands to emphasize our displeasure.
Dogs become scared and worried at our belligerent body language when they cause some damage. They will move away from us, under the couch, or sofa, or even curl in a corner, avoiding eye contact. Their entire body language changes, it’s almost like they shrivel up. Their easy, carefree demeanor is lost. Their feeling of not being able to understand why the person they love has suddenly become angry with them is visible so clearly in their eyes. This is the honesty I referred to at the start of the article. They are so plain, so oblivious, so easy to see their disappointment. We need to be rooted to the fact, that the damage they did was not done knowingly, it was unintentional and act accordingly.
The best way to avoid such scenarios is to teach them. Having them undergo training at an early age, training with positive reinforcement is very useful.
So, so very happy to see you
One of the most delightful reasons to have a dog is the fact that our dog is always happy to see us, even if we are away for 10 to 15 minutes. They wait by the door, wagging their tails, putting their paws in the air, running circles around us & jumping at us. I will not be remiss if I state that no one ever will greet us in such a way, openly, happily, and delighted always. It's soul-warming, a feeling of such comfort. At first, I used to give a quick rub and move on, but then I realized that these are moments to cherish and reciprocate.
Owning a pet is just not enough, accepting and appreciating our pet dogs psychological, and behavioral habits, their body language, and forming a bond is necessary. It’s rewarding and sheds light on human-to-human relationships too.
An article on Dogs, titled ‘Smarter Than You Think’ by renowned Canine researcher ‘Stanley Coren in the 'American Psychological Association' is an eye opener. You can review the article by clicking the link given below.