Body Postures of Dogs – What Is Your Dog Telling You? When you think of an aggressive, scared, or happy dog, you usually have a preconceived notion of what this type of dog should look like. However, do you know that a dog that is wagging his tail is not always being friendly? Also, a dog that is growling is not always being offensively aggressive. It is very important to understand what the different body postures mean, and could even help to avoid a fight! When you see a dog wagging his tail, you may think he is being friendly. Here are some other signs that when partnered with a stiff wagging tail, which may mean the dog is fearful or nervous. If the dog’s ears are forward and he is standing tall on his toes, this is an alert posture. This means that something has peaked the dog’s interest, and he is not sure of what to do next. It is easy for this dog to become offensively aggressive. If this dog is about to become aggressive, you should look for the following signs. The dog will be leaning forward and tall on his toes. His ears will shift forward and his nose will be wrinkled. He will have his hackles up and the corners of his mouth will be forward. Normally this posture will be accompanied with a growl. This is not to be confused with a defensive threat posture. Although the dog may still be growling, he is trying to defend himself. If he feels threatened, he may attack. You should look for a lowered body posture, a tucked tail, and ears back. If you encounter a dog with this posture, slowly back away as he may become aggressive. If your dog is the one that is showing these stress signs, remember that food overcomes fear! You should immediately move the dog away from whatever is causing the fear or stress. Try to regain focus with food treats. You should also ask the dog for known behaviors to build their confidence. You are their leader and it is important that they feel safe around you. Our goal is to see dogs with a relaxed or even playful body posture! A relaxed body posture will include a relaxed tail, as well as relaxed corners of the mouth. The dog will have his ears up, but not forward. When a dog wants to play, his tail will be up and loosely wagging. He will have his mouth open and have his tongue visible. He may also exhibit a play bow. This is when the dog’s front end is lowered, with his rear in the air. If you see a dog with this body posture, he is inviting you to interact with him! Remember to never approach a dog that you are unfamiliar with. Though these are many of the common postures, the safety of you and you dog are the most important thing! Brittany Sorgenstein, ABCDT, APDT Tricks 4 Treats Dog Trainer
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 20:30:52 +0000