Learning the Secret Language of Dogs
Sunday, December 30, 2018 11:18:00 AM America/Los_Angeles
Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking or saying? Research into the mind of the canine shows that dogs have a physical and a vocal language as well as a rich social intelligence. It’s a way of communicating with their owners and other dogs. The secret language of dogs is as complex and subtle as the human language. Dogs like to talk, just like their human owners. For dogs, barking is one of the most common ways of communicating.
Barking can represent a lot of things to a dog. So, how do you know if your pooch is warning you about something or is bored and wants to go out and play on on the grass or needs to go potty their DoggieLawn? Experts say that the volume or pitch of the bark increases with the level of emotion. You will be able to communicate effectively with the dog if you can distinguish the barks. Body language is also a fundamental aspect of how dogs communicate with humans. Unlike barking, body signals can be pretty straightforward if you understand the language.
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Communicating with Your Dog
In her book The Secret Language of Dogs: Unlocking the Canine Mind for a Happier Pet, Victoria Stilwell explains the importance of learning how to listen to and communicate effectively with your dog. In the book, the star of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog delves into the inner world of dogs in a fun and fascinating way all in an attempt to understand your pooch and help him/her learn in the most effective way possible.
Have you ever noticed how your dog licks his lips when you get closer to a person or another dog? How sometimes your dog constantly stares at you? Your dog is simply looking for information about what everyone’s up to, what you might need or want them to do, or just to know what you feel about the environment. The canine may also be sending you signals, looking for directions, or asking questions about their needs and wants.
Interpreting the Language of Dogs
Most dog owners don’t know how to interpret the signs and signals their dogs give them to let them know what’s up. Sometimes we end up misreading or missing the signs altogether, which can be problematic. That’s why some dogs develop aggression or behavioral issues. You will be able to avoid any of these issues if you know how to communicate with your dog effectively.
Body Language
Have you ever wished that your dog could talk? Well, he does. Just not the way humans talk. Your dog’s body language speaks volumes. We send out dogs to trainers and when they come back, they know how to use the dog bathroom or an indoor dog potty, which is a good thing. But how about the dog? How can you tell what your dog wants or understand his feelings? By reading his body language.
The tail, ears, face, and eyes are used to convey different messages. For instance, studies show that the way your dog wags his tail is indicative of how he feels. The tail wagging more to the right signal positive feelings and vice versa. If the ears are back, the dog may be signaling submission and if they are raised, the dog is listening or relaxed. Most dogs show confusion or determination by wrinkling or straightening their foreheads.
Dog Emotions
Dogs experience emotions. Some experts are of the opinion that canines experience emotions to a higher degree than humans. You can tell how your dog is feeling by simply looking at the eyes. If the dog is aggressive or feels threatened, the eyes will appear larger than normal and they may have dilated pupils as well. If a dog is frightened or stressed, the eyes may seem smaller than they usually are.
When your dog is not feeling well or is in pain, he may look like he’s squinting with his eyes. It could also be a sign that the dog is submissive. When you look at the dog, he may avert his gaze. Dogs that are afraid or not very confident about interacting with humans tend to squint their eyes; it’s a sign that the dog is worried about interacting with you. If your dog’s eyes seem to be in their normal shape and size, that means that the dog is relaxed and happy.
Dogs have a language that they use to communicate with humans and other dogs. Barking and body signals form the basis of how dogs communicate with humans and other dogs. As a dog owner, you have to work towards improving communication with your pooch. Sending the dog to a trainer to learn how to use a pet potty isn’t enough – you need to learn how to read the behavioral and energetic traits of your dog.
