What your pet wants you to know


Nithisha Gaur, a young PR professional, confesses that when she had a Pomeranian as her first pet, she had difficulties in understanding its language and movements.

Five years since she had her first pet, she is now a proud parent of two more pets - a Great Dane and a Labrador. She feels more confident now while communicating with them as she "thinks" she understands their body language.

As responsible pet owners, we believe that we know all about our pets - when they are hungry, when they are upset, angry, what is it that they think by the way they react. Well, the latest research suggests that we have it all wrong! In fact, with pets such as dogs, the same reaction coupled with their body language may mean different things in a different situation.

Dog communication refers to body movements, sounds that dogs use to send signals to other dogs and animals (usually humans). Dog communication comes in a variety of forms and is part of the foundation of their social behaviour. Dogs use certain movements of their bodies and body parts and different vocalizations to express their emotions. There are a number of basic ways a dog can communicate its feelings. These are movements of the ears, eyes, eyebrows, mouth, head, tail, and entire body, as well as barks, growls, whines and whimpers, and howls.

It is important to watch a dog's complete body and not just the face or tail before deciding what the dog is trying to communicate. What appears initially as aggression might be an invitation to play. It is important to note that while many gestures and actions may have common, stereotypical meanings, researchers regularly find that animal communication is often more complex and subtle than previously believed; the same gesture may have multiple distinct meanings depending on context and other behaviours.

Dogs are very good communicators. They rely on their body language to relay sophisticated messages to other dogs and to people. As a dog owner, or someone that interacts with dogs, one can learn to interpret this language quite readily.

Barking and other noises, facial expressions, the position of the tail, a dog's overall body posture and even the state of their hair all communicate something. If you look at all aspects of a dog's body language and understand what is being communicated you can interact appropriately with your dog in any situation.

For example, even a simple tail wag may (depending on context) convey many meanings including excitement, anticipation, playfulness, contentment, enjoyment, happiness, self-confidence; but also, anxiety an uncertainty and apprehension.

Preetika Mittal says, "My Shih-tzu, "Tuffy" knows when it is time for his favourite treat, the Pedigree Dentasti, and he actually dances on his hind legs till he gets it".

Combined with other body language, in a specific context, many gestures such as yawns and direction of vision all convey the dog's emotions or feeling states. Thus, statements that a particular action "means" something, or that the dog is using its body language with the intent to report information to others, should be avoided. A happy dog will have a relaxed posture with weight evenly balanced on all four legs, the tail and ears will be held in the natural position. The face will appear relaxed and the mouth will be closed or slightly opened.

A wagging tail is often thought to be associated with friendliness but this isn't necessarily so. If a dog's tail is unnaturally high or low or is held in a stiff manner, it is a sign that the dog is not feeling friendly and is best left alone. In fact, any dog that lifts its lips or growls, backs away, raises the hair on its back or stares at you, should be left alone.

If one pays attention to what a dog is trying to convey, one may even get to understand a dog as well as the dog understands you. 

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