Ms. LacrossAgriscience and Technology I

http://www.topeka.org/pdfs/CanineBody_Language.pdf.

READING CANINE BODY POSTURES

INTRODUCTION

• Dogs display their state of mind via body language• An observer can detect how a dog is

feeling by taking careful note of• ear position• pupil dilation• facial tension• tail carriage• body weight distribution

BODY POSITIONS

•Neutral Relaxed• Arousal • Aggressive Attack• Active Submission• Passive Submission •Defensive Aggression

NEUTRAL RELAXED

AROUSAL

• Dogs in the aroused position have been stimulated by something in their environment• When a dog is aroused by something pleasurable• the hackles will be down• the tail will be carried up and bristled• the muzzle will be tense • you may see the tongue

• This posture is displayed to subordinates in order to express higher ranking pack positions

AGGRESSIVE ATTACK

• This posture is used to:• chase another dog away• attack in order to protect their• possessions• pack• self

SUBMISSION

• Two Types: Active Submission and Passive Submission• Active Submission• posture is used when a dog acknowledges another dog or humans higher social ranking• inhibit another’s aggression

• Passive Submission• bellying up indicates a surrender• pacifying gesture• offered to a more dominant individual

DEFENSE AGGRESSION

• When fearful a dog will give warning signals• These signals

indicate that s/he • do not want to be

approached

• If these signals are ignored s/he will bite to protect himself / herself

Dog – To – Dog Communication

FOUR TYPES OF DOG TO DOG COMMUNICATION

• 1. Maternal Correction• 2. Play Solicitation• 3. Greeting Behavior• 4. Greeting Posture

MATERNAL CORRECTION

•A mother dog will

discipline her pup with

a quick muzzle grasp

•The pup then learns to

offer submissive body

postures

•Why?

PLAY SOLICITATION

• Combines dominant and submissive gestures• Is an offer to• play • or for courtship

GREETING BEHAVIOR

• A submissive dog will greet a more dominant dog with:• a muzzle nudge

• Appeasement: Pacifying : reduce the excitement,

anger or agitation

GREETING POSTURE

•Dogs sniff each others genital region • helps to determine sexual status