KARE: Training Orientation

Doglish 101: Dog behavior and body language

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Training Orientation

In this course you will learn:

• Some ways dogs are different from humans
• How to interpret canine behavior and body language
• How to avoid common misunderstandings between dogs and humans
• How to recognize warning signs that a dog does NOT want to be approached

Introduction

There will be quizzes through out this presentation.DON'T PANICThe questions are there to help you remember the key points from this presentationIf you miss a question just go back and review to make sure you understand the material

Physical Differences

Ears

• Far beyond human perception
• Intensity - 4 ½ x more sensitive

• 10% dogs brain vs. 1% humans
• It’s how dogs “read”

Physical differences

Physical differences

Why does this matter?

Roll over the Dot below to learn why these differences are important

This means that there may be distractions present in the environment that make it difficult for our dogs to focus, even if we aren't aware of them.

Behavioral Differences

As you become better at reading dog body language you will be able to see that this dog is very uncomfortable with this hug. Dog's interactions with kids should always be closely watched to avoid risky situations like this.

Example:Dogs don't like hugs

• Dogs are not frontal greeters
• Dogs prefer to greet from the side
• Humans like eye contact - dogs don't
• Dogs can see leaning over and hands reaching for them as threatening

Greetings: Differences

• Keep an eye on body language, do they want to meet you?
• Let them make the first move
• Turn your side to the dog and let them approach you, for a small dog you might kneel down
• Avoid prolonged eye contact or leaning over the dog
• Put your hand under their chin instead of over their head
• NO HUGGING

How to greet a dog

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Communication Differences

• Dogs mostly use VISUAL cues
• Body language
• Posture: Stance, tail, ears

• Movements
• Facial expression

How dogs communicate

The goal of the following slides is to help you learn the quieter ways that dogs communicate to us that they are unhappy, stressed or scared. If we can can recognize these signs we can avoid situations where dogs need to speak more "loudly" to get our attention such as snarling, snapping or biting.

Goals

• Dogs often yawn when:
• They are stressed or uncomfortable
• They are tired or just waking up

How dogs communicate: Yawning

This dog is clearly uncomfortable with being asked to sit on the treadmill.

• This is a subtle form of communication that can be easy for humans to miss
• This is often an early sign that a dog might be uncomfortable

How dogs communicate: Lip licking

• These are both subtle forms of communication that can be easy for humans to miss
• These are more early signs that a dog might be uncomfortable

How dogs communicate: Paw lift and scratching

• Dogs gather an amazing amount of information from sniffing.
• Sniffing can be an important way for dogs to destress
• Sniffing is ALSO a way for a dog to defuse a stressful situation
• The dog might sniff the ground to reduce their own stress AND to let others know that they aren't threat.

How dogs communicate: Sniffing

• Dogs pant to cool off
• Dogs also pant or drool when they are under stress

How dogs communicate: Panting

• Dogs will often seek refuge when they are very stressed or scared.
• Behind their person
• Under furniture, etc.
• This video might initially seem funny but this dog is very scared

How dogs communicate: Hiding

• Whale eyes describes a sign that a dog is very stressed or nervous.
• Eyes are wide and round
• head is turned away from what they are looking at

How dogs communicate: Whale eyes

This can be a very serious sign do not approach or make eye contact

• Another warning sign that a dog may be very stressed

How dogs communicate: Stiff facial features

This can be a very serious sign do not approach or make eye contact

• Here is an example of the difference between relaxed and stiff facial features

How dogs communicate: Stiff facial features

This can be a very serious sign do not approach or make eye contact

• Another warning sign that a dog may be very stressed

How dogs communicate: Hard stare

This can be a very serious sign do not approach or make eye contact

If we can learn to recognize and understand the more subtle our dogs gives us we can avoid pushing them to the point where they need to communicate more forcefully.

Why does it matter?

• A dog that is scared will alternate snarling and retreating to let others know it wants to be left alone

How dogs communicate: Retreat and snarl

• Another way dogs let us know they want to be left alone is to alternate lunging and snarling

How dogs communicate: Lunge and snarl

• Another way dogs let us know they want to be left alone is to alternate lunging and snarling

How dogs communicate: Lunge and snarl

Test yourself: What are these dogs saying?

Make some observations on what you see in this picture then mouse over the dots to check your understanding

Fixed gazes and closed mouths - both dogs are not relaxed

Base of the ears are back - this suggests fear

Leashes are tight, another sign this is a higher stress situation

Whale eye

Test yourself: What are these dogs saying?

Make some observations on what you see in this picture then mouse over the dots to check your understanding

Dog is interested: horizontal tail and relaxed posture

Relaxed posture and sniffing to show they are not a threat

Test yourself: What are these dogs saying?

Make some observations on what you see in this picture then mouse over the dots to check your understanding

Relaxed

Ready to play

Warning: Snarling, retreating posture, wants to be left alone, tail between legs

Submissive posture, tail between legs, dog feels stressed or threatened, indicating it does not want conflict

Aggressive posture, hackles up, snarling, warning off

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• There are important differences between dogs and humans
• some interactions humans enjoy dogs DON'T such as hugs and lots of eye contact
• Dogs communicate visually
• learning to recognize dog body language can help to reduce stress for dogs
• recognizing subtle warning signs can mean that dogs do not have to speak "louder" to get our attention (snarling, snapping or biting)

Key take aways

Course completed!

You are ready to move on to Clicker Training 101!