6 Steps to Better Canine Communication wholedogjournal

I Always think learning how to understand our dogs gives us remarkable insight and a better companion! Check out the link at the bottom. (Quality isn't very good because its copied) 6 Steps to Better Canine Communication Excerpted from Decoding Your Dog from the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. Edited by Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVB and John Ciribassi DVM, DACVB, with Steve Dale. These six steps and the following guide will help you to "speak dog" and understand your dog's body language. 1. Learn their language. 2. Listen with our eyes. 3. Use cues that work for dogs. 4. Avoid miscommunication traps. 5. Teach a common language. 6. Have realistic expectations. The goal is not to learn our dogs' language so that we can "speak dog" back to them; that just won't work. But we can use a knowledge of canine language to better understand our dogs' emotional states and predict what they might do next. • Remember to look at the entire dog, not just one body part or a single vocalization, and to also look at the situation to get an accurate read of the dog's emotional state. • Dogs understand some words, but they can’t understand a full conversation. Gestures and body language are clearer ways to communicate with dogs. Clear communication takes attention and effort, but is well worth it! • Not every dog can succeed in every situation. Watch your dog for signs of anxiety or aggression and change the circumstances so that the dog doesn't get overwhelmed. • If something seems like it's about to happen, step in. Either remove the dog from the situation or change what's happening. Canine Body Language Eyes Unwavering, fixed stare: challenge, threat, confident Casual gaze: calm Averted gaze: deference Pupils dilated (big, wide): fear Wide-eyed (whites of the eyes are visible): fear Quick, darting eyes: fear Ears Relaxed, neutral position: calm Forward, pricked: alert, attentive, or aggressive Ears pinned back: fear, defensive Mouth Panting: Hot, anxious or excited Lip Licking, tongue flicking: anxious Yawn: tired or anxious Snarl (lip curled, showing teeth): aggressive Growl: aggressive, or playful Bark: reactive, excited, playful, aggressive, or anxious Tail Up, still: alert Up with fast wag: excited Neutral, relaxed position: calm Down, tucked: fear, anxious, or submissive Stiff-wagging or still and high: agitated, excited, and perhaps unfriendly Body carriage Soft, relaxed: calm Tense, stiff: alert or aggressive Hackles up: alert or aggressive Rolling over: submissive For additional advice on understanding your dog and his needs, purchase Decoding Your Dog from Whole Dog Journal.