Decoding Canine Communication: Unveiling the Signals of Dogs

  • August 18, 2023
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Decoding Canine Communication: Unveiling the Signals of Dogs

Dogs are considered as one of the intelligent animals. They are the favorite of their masters due to their intelligence and loyalty. Altogether, as a pet, they are great companions; owners can spend good time with them for hours. Being intelligent but unable to speak is a drawback that is recovered through the signs of dog communication. Dog owners are spontaneous and are aware of the signs that their pet shows to communicate.

Signs enable them to communicate easily with their masters. Some are natural ways that the dogs and the owners develop between them. The dogs are trained to remain actively communicative and diligent, at the same time being sensitive and well behaved.

Dogs can communicate

The quality of strong communication has provided pets to work on different platforms. Their body languages, behaviors, and vocals are the ways to show and convey their messages without speaking similarly to humans.

a curious dog wearing headphones. showing canine Communication way

How do pet dogs communicate? There are some basic ways that they use for communication, it is natural.

Body languages

Body language is one of the common ways that can describe the facts that are running inside the mind. Similarly, dogs have different body postures that can show their emotions and feelings. Dogs may not be able to speak like humans, but here movements and postures can describe if they are happy, worried, or sad.

Relaxed and loose body postures mean calmness, loose body and rolling on the ground means the dog is happy. When the body is stiff and tensed, it means that the dog is worried, or it is a signal of being alert.

Face expression and Eye contact

The eye contact can vary, pupils with a wide eye open indicate fear. Some may show avoidance with direct eye contact. Apart from the eyes, a close look and study of the facial expressions indicate different things.

a sad dog lying on floor showing a way of pet communcation way

Dogs are seen to yawn when they are bored or stressed. It is the time they want to stay alone or need some alone time, for themselves. Bared teeth are dangerous and scary to see. So, if any bared teeth are seen in a dog, then it is a sign of warning or aggression.

Lip licking is commonly observed in a dog, means they are anxious or tired. It is the way they sit and calm themselves.

Ears

The ears may be long or short, but it play an important role in communication. The forward and upward movement of the ears indicates that the dog is excited. It also shows that the dog may be attentive or a sign of being loved.

a dog looking upwards with tilted head showing a way of how dog communicate

Pinned back ears are a sign of alertness or signify being in fear.

Tail movements

Another essential move of communication of a dog is the tail movements. The wagging of the tail with speed, direction, and height describes the intensity of emotions. Such as happiness, playtime, and also love for their masters.

five happy dog wearing birthday cap is example of dog's way of communication.

A stubborn or tucked tail is a sign of fear or surrender, if the tail is stiff and upright then it is the sign of alertness or being dominant.

Vocalization

With the different sounds produced by a dog, the vocal tone can explain many factors. Such as

  • Howling

A dog howls to communicate with their community and to express any sign of danger or emergency. Howling dogs always have a message to convey to their owners or their community to reach distances.

  • Whining

One of the cutest forms of vocal communication is whining. If they desire any attention it is expressed through whining. Sometimes due to any injury or stress, they may be whining.

  • Growling

When a dog is seen growling it is due to fear and being aggressive. It is always the owners who will understand the reason for the growling of a dog.                          

Barking

Dogs can bark to express excitement, alertness, or danger. There are many reasons to bark, but the intensity of the dog barking varies on the breed. Some may bark often while some breeds bark less.

a happy dog with his tongue out of his mouth.
Corgi dog smile and happy in summer sunny day

What if a dog wants to play?

To learn the play signals, it is necessary to know the body postures.

The play bow is one of the body postures when the front portions lean down and raise their back portion. It is a spontaneous movement that shows that they want to play. Also, bouncy movements are a sign of playing.

Sniff

The sniffing ability of dogs makes them the most important workers in police and crime departments. When they are sniffing, it means they are gathering information. It is an ability that helps them to record the information by sniffing and storing it in their mind for life long.

a dog smelling a flower

Ways to teach strong communicative skills to the furry pet

As dogs are good at communicating it is easy to train them for different beneficial purposes. They are for both human and dog benefits. Dogs are trained for providing services in different fields. They work as therapy dogs, rescue and police dogs as well as in many other departments. Dogs are observed to work for accessibility and inclusions. For those who have hearing impairments, it is the trained dogs that can work to respond to visual cues.

a dog sitting on order of his master showing how dogs are well behaved.
picture of a woman who trains with a young husky on a dog training field

Apart from it the dogs can reduce confusion and create a strong bond between the owners, family members, and the dog.

Who can train the dog in communication? Owners who want their dogs to be proficient in communication can contact professionals. The dog trainers are professionals with extensive knowledge of the behaviors that change to communicate. Professional trainers can understand body language and adapt accordingly to dogs’ signs.

Animal behaviorists are professionals and experts who understand the psychology of animals. Closely learn about the dog’s emotions, feelings, and behavioral changes. Apart from the dog owners, dealing with their pets, veterinarians is also found to understand the signs of dog’s communication.

In the beginning, it may be difficult to learn the signs, but training and staying with the pet for long hours enables both sides to know each other closely.


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