What dogs want to tell us
Emma and Lisa have a lot to talk about!
Hello dear dog lovers,
Do you sometimes want to know what your four-legged friends are saying to you? Then I have good news for you, because today we are decoding your pet’s communication.
But first, some important background information on why it is important to understand your pet's body language. This forms the basis for successful communication and a harmonious life together.
Avoidance of conflict: Dogs use their body language to express their intentions and emotions. By understanding dogs' signals, people can recognise and avoid potential conflicts or misunderstandings at an early stage.
Building trust and bonding: When people recognise and respond appropriately to their dogs' needs and signals, it strengthens the trust and bond between humans and dogs.
Safety: Understanding the body language of dogs helps to recognise and avoid potentially dangerous situations, both for humans and for the dog itself.
Training and education: When training dogs, it is crucial to understand their body language in order to communicate effectively with them and shape their behaviour.
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There are several reasons why people often misinterpret the body language of dogs:
Anthropomorphism: People tend to project human characteristics and emotions onto animals. This can lead them to misinterpret the body language of dogs, as dogs express their emotions in a different way to humans.
Lack of knowledge: Many people have limited knowledge of dog body language and therefore misinterpret or fail to recognise certain signals.
Lack of experience: People who have little experience with dogs may have difficulty interpreting their body language correctly. Experience and training can help to improve this ability.
Individual differences: Each dog is an individual and can have subtle variations in their body language. This can make it difficult for people to apply general rules to all dogs.
Dog eyes never lie…
And now to the posture and what your animal's energy reveals:
Posture and movement: A dog's overall posture and movement give important clues about its mood and intentions. An upright, confident walk can signal dominance or self-assurance, while a lowered head and body can indicate submissiveness or fear. Movements such as jumping, stretching, bending or wriggling sideways can express different emotions or intentions, such as playfulness, insecurity or threat.
Energy: A dog's overall energy, including his movements, gaze and posture, plays a large role in communicating with other dogs. High energy can signal playfulness or excitement, while low energy can indicate fear or submissiveness.
Other indicators and what they tell us
Indicator 1: Tail
The position and movement of the tail are important indicators of a dog's mood. A raised tail can indicate excitement or dominance, while a tucked tail can indicate fear or submissiveness. A wagging tail is often interpreted as a sign of happiness, but can also be a warning if it is slow or stiff.
Indicator 2: Ears
The position of the ears can tell you a lot about a dog's emotional state. Erect ears can indicate attention or interest, while flat ears can indicate fear, submissiveness or aggression.
Indicator 3: Mouth
A dog's lips and mouth can take on different expressions. For example, raised lips and bared teeth can be signs of aggression or threat, while relaxed lips and an open mouth can be signs of friendliness or playfulness.
Conclusion
These different elements of body language interact with each other and are often used in combination to convey complex messages. Dogs are very good at recognising subtle nuances in the body language of other dogs and responding accordingly, allowing them to communicate effectively with each other and regulate social interactions.
Have fun decoding! If you have any questions, feel free to write to me and subscribe to my newsletter for exclusive discounts and news.
Best regards,