Pet Care

RULES IN INTERPRETATING DOG BEHAVIOR

July 19, 2023

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RULES IN INTERPRETATING DOG BEHAVIOR

Dogs and people have lived together for thousands of years, but that doesn’t mean we always understand each other. Living with pets can sometimes be as frustrating and confusing as living with people! We hope the following information will help you make the most of your relationship with your dog.

Dogs are pack animals – they are social and like to interact with people and other dogs. You can use this sociality to your benefit; your dog will do what you want if it earns him praise or petting AND he considers you a leader in his pack.

This is a key point. All dog packs have a leader dog that makes decisions for the rest of the group. Other dogs are subordinate to the leader. Your dog should never think he is the leader in your house. You are the one who should decide when to eat, when to go out, when to go to the veterinarian for a check up, or when to get a nail trim. As with children, dogs that have rules to follow and respect for their parents are well behaved. Many behavior problems arise as a direct result of lack of leadership on the part of their owners.

Dogs behave as though they prefer knowing that you are in charge, and often seem much happier when they understand that you have taken charge. Also keep in mind that dogs are very sensitive to body language and visual cues. Behaviors that you don’t think much about may have meaning to your dog, in a way that may not be what you intended to say! For instance, two people talking face-to-face is confrontational in a dog’s body language. Standing side-by-side is not. You can learn to take advantage of nonverbal cues.

Understanding dog behaviour

As a dog owner, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour and be on the lookout for any changes, as these can be a sign that something’s wrong. Use this guide to help you recognise important body language signals and get to know how your dog is feeling.

A happy dog

A dog who is happy will be relaxed.

Dog has a relaxed body posture and smooth hair, the mouth is open and relaxed, ears are in a natural position, the tail is wagging and the eyes are a normal shape.
Dog is inviting play with bottom raised, smooth hair and a high wagging tail. Eyes are a normal shape, ears are in a natural position and they may be barking excitedly.
Dog’s weight is distributed across all four paws, hair is smooth, tail is wagging, face is interested, alert and relaxed and their mouth is open.

A worried dog

These dogs are telling you that they’re uncomfortable and don’t want you to go near them.

Dog is standing but body posture and head position is low. Tail is tucked under, ears are back and the dog is yawning.
Dog is lying down and avoiding eye contact or turning head away from you, lip licking and with ears back.
Dog is sitting with head lowered, ears are back, tail tucked away, not making eye contact, yawning, raising a front paw.

An angry or very unhappy dog

These dogs aren’t happy and want you to stay away or go away.

Dog is standing with a stiffened body posture, weight forward, ears are up, hair raised, eyes looking at you – pupils dark and enlarged – tail is up and stiff, wrinkled nose.
Dog is lying down cowering, ears flat, teeth showing, tail down between legs.
Dog is standing with body down and weight towards the back, head tilted upwards, mouth tight, lips drawn back, teeth exposed, eyes staring, ears back and down, snarling.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s behaviour, speak to your vet first.

Interpreting Common Dog Behaviors & the Meaning Behind His Moods

Your pup’s actions tell you a lot about his mood. And although you may not be fluent in the canine tongue–short of what it means when it salivates–you do need to learn how to interpret dog behavior. Have you ever witnessed your dog licking certain textures or circling the same spot in front of you? There are many reasons a specific dog state of mind or health concern may cause him to do these things. Once you pay attention to his behavior, you’ll be able to help him.

Bad Breath

Dogs aren’t known for having wonderfully minty breath, but if you notice a marked change with even a little halitosis, it might be time to take a trip to the veterinarian. There could be something wrong with your dog’s oral health.

A change in the smell of your dog’s breath may also be a cause for concern with respect to his gastrointestinal tract, liver, or kidneys. If your dog’s breath smells of urine, for instance, he could have a kidney problem. Sweet-smelling breath is a sign to vets that your dog may have diabetes (especially if he’s drinking more water and urinating more often). His overall dog mood may appear happy, but if his breath has changed, pay attention – let your veterinarian know.

Biting

Puppies may nip at you as they learn how to communicate with their pet parents. This usually happens while playing, as young dogs often communicate with their mouths when they interact. It may also happen during training, or for simply no reason you can identify. If your young one is nipping regularly, though, it’s important to stop it before it develops into a more problematic dog behavior down the line.

Dogs bite out of anxiety, fear, or aggression. Can you identify which is motivating your pet to do so? Is his mood influencing his actions? If you’re having trouble teaching your dog not to bite, consider working with a professional trainer, or better yet, a veterinary behaviorist. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend one for you.

Circling

Dogs who can’t stop walking in circles may have a health issue. Yes, sometimes it’s fun to chase your tail, but if your pup can’t shake the compulsion, there’s a problem beneath the surface. Ear infections may cause circling, but compulsive tail chasing may occur with bull terriers

Of course there may be other reasons your buddy is circling. Older dogs may suffer from idiopathic vestibular syndrome, and, not to alarm you, but all dogs are at risk for poisoning or a brain tumor. Only your vet can determine the cause of your dog’s circling, so get him in for a checkup.

Digging

Dogs dig in the ground for many reasons: to escape, to track animals, to make a cool spot to lie, or to hide something important to them. However, some dogs “dig” inside as well. Have you ever noticed your dog scratching at the blankets or couch in order to find the perfect place to lie down? This dog behavior happens most often at night and during nap times, and it is completely normal.

If your dog’s digging starts to bother you, or damage your furniture, consider working with a professional trainer to reduce this stubborn habit.

Eating poop

Dogs eat feces for many reasons; it can be a normal (while distasteful to us) dog behavior. Young dogs may watch their mother clean them (who ingests feces as a result), and mimic her. Fear may even cause your dog to eat feces if he’s afraid of the repercussions. Then again, your dog may just be curious. He may smell certain scents in the feces and wonder what it tastes like.

Eating poop can also be an instinctive solution to a nutritional deficiency. Make sure you feed your dog a well-balanced food .so you can completely rule out malnutrition as a reason for his eating waste. Contact your veterinarian especially if your dog is losing weight as well.

Head Pressing

If you notice your dog pressing his head against the wall or another firm object, there’s a need for your immediate attention. Head pressing is a common sign of numerous serious problems, such as toxic poisoning or brain disease. Make an appointment with your dog’s vet right away.

Panting

Dogs expel most of their body heat from their mouths. When your dog pants, he’s probably too warm, so he is regulating his body temperature. However, it’s important to pay attention to panting, as he may do it when in pain as well. Help your pal regulate his temperature and make sure he’s well hydrated before any physical activity–especially as the weather warms up. If your dog was injured, get him to the vet immediately. Some other health problems may also show increased panting as a sign, so if you have a question, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.

Sitting on Your Feet or Between Your Legs

This is often mistaken for possessive behavior, but is most often a sign of anxiety or nervousness. “Dominance” is rarely the problem; your dog is probably trying to feel safer by staying close.

Anxiety is often more than a dog trainer is qualified to help with so discuss the behavior with your veterinarian and see if your dog would benefit from a referral to a veterinary behavior specialist.

Scooting

Have you ever watched your dog drag himself across the floor . . . with his bottom on the ground? It may seem funny (or kind of disgusting). But it is also called scooting, and it means there’s something irritating your dog’s anus. It’s possible that your pup’s anal sacs are full and need to be expressed.

If your dog’s anal sacs aren’t backed up, the problem could be irritation for some other reason. Allergies may only show up as an itchy rear. While it’s common to blame worms, it is an uncommon reason for the behavior. Check with your veterinarian to be sure your pal is on an appropriate parasite prevention program.

Finally, a dog who’s a grass-eater, or likes to lick around the house, could have strands of grass or hair trapped in his anus that he’s rubbing the ground to get out. This is the least-severe reason for scooting but the easiest for you to help him take care of.

Urinating

If your dog is house trained, it may come as a surprise if you see him urinating in your home. Dog behavior doesn’t usually change without reason. Formerly reliable dogs who suddenly begin urinating inside need your attention! This is a sign that something may be very wrong with your furry friend, and when he relieves himself frequently–even if he is in the correct location–it can be a sign of a urinary tract, bladder, or kidney infection. In an older dog, it may even be a sign of dementia.

Yawning

Although you might think he needs some sleep, a dog yawn doesn’t usually mean he’s tired. He may be interested in napping, but he could also be showing a sign of fear or stress. If your dog appears to yawn at an increased rate around a new person, don’t rush the introduction. He’s either picking up vibes he doesn’t feel comfortable with, or is fearful for a less-obvious reason. No matter what the case, a forced introduction isn’t a good idea.

Anxiety Shows in Many Ways

Signs of anxiety include shaking, tail tucking, escapist behavior, defecating in the home, biting or injuring himself, barking, and many more.

Because they’re technically pack animals, your dog may become fearful when left alone. If separation anxiety is a chronic issue for your dog, you’ll both need to learn how to create a relaxing environment when you leave the house. Consider taking your dog for a long walk or play a rigorous game of fetch in your backyard to tire him out before you go. Don’t make a big deal out of your departure, either. If you’re still having trouble with separation anxiety, consider involving a professional who can work on behavioral training.

Pack Leadership Rules: myth or fact?

Myth:Don’t let your dog walk ahead of you. If he is ahead of you on a walk, he will walk all over you in all other areas of your relationship!

Fact: Dogs may pull when walking on a leash for a variety of reasons. They may have the desire to play, explore, investigate or be social. This can become a learned behavior that is self rewarding; the reward being successful attempts to experience a new area’s odors, other dogs, and people. In other cases, dogs pull to get out of a fearful situation!

The second part of this myth is actually more damaging: how a dog walks on a leash does not reflect your relationship, it simply means you haven’t taught your dog to walk on a leash. Teaching a dog to walk nicely on a leash will not improve separation anxiety, aggression or phobias. However, this should not be confused with the fact that dogs that show excitable or aggressive meetings and greetings on walks may need to learn to walk calmly by the owner’s side as part of the behavior management program. Mostly walking nicely on a leash is about manners, training and enjoying something you should do with your dog frequently.

Myth: A Tired Dog is a Good Dog

Fact: It is essential to meet the exercise and behavioral needs of your dog (and breed) by providing a variety of forms of enrichment. However, exceeding the exercise needs of your dog may actually be unhealthy especially for dogs with health concerns such as heart, respiratory or joint diseases. The fact is that exercise needs will vary according to breed, age, health and individual personality. In addition there are many ways in addition to exercise to enrich the lives of our pets including social, exploratory and mental stimulation (see Working for Food and Enrichment, Predictability, and Scheduling). A 2-mile run, a swim, and a chance to play with another dog may be ideal for some Labrador retrievers, while a bichon’s needs may be met by a short walk to the coffee shop and doing tricks for the other patrons. However, fulfillment of basic exercise needs alone does not prevent problems of boredom or unruly problems. Exercise does not prevent aggression, separation anxiety, phobias, or compulsive disorders. There are many athletically fit dogs that demonstrate aggression!

Myth:Your dog should wait while you pass through doorways before your dog.

Fact: Dogs should be taught nice manners at doorways: go out when told, wait when asked to and don’t knock people over. Doorways are man-made structures that have little significance to a dog. Most wolves have a narrow inconspicuous opening to their den and wolf biologists do not observe confrontations regarding the order wolves utilize a den entrance.

This is relevant for manners and safety – your dog should not knock you over as you pass through a doorway and he should not escape past you. In addition, if your dog tends to pull excessively or show aggression when meeting or greeting new people and pets, he should be trained to follow you out the door. However, adherence to these guidelines does not signify your dog’s respect, admiration or allegiance. In fact, a dog that is punished may learn not to go through a doorway when a specific person is around because he has learned from past experience punishment occurs; this is fear, not respect.

Myth:Eat before your dog; this shows him you are his alpha leader.

Fact: Dogs naturally associate food rewards as an indication the immediately preceding behavior was appropriate.

Dogs are scavengers by nature and while he may longingly desire what you are eating, he is not reflecting on his place in the pack while he watches you eat. Simply put, because we provide the food, our dogs cannot eat unless we give them the food regardless if we eat first or second. Dogs learn best by operant conditioning and food rewards facilitate that learning process much like a wolf would learn how to hunt a prey. A successful hunt means that a wolf will likely try that strategy again. By the way, wolves in packs do not display a meal time hierarchy: in times of plenty; everyone eats together and in times of scarcity the parent wolves make certain their offspring are fed first.

Myth:Don’t allow your dog on the furniture or on your bed. If you allow your dog to be on the same level as you, you are elevating his status and lowering yours.

Fact: Neither dogs nor wolves use elevated positions to infer social meaning. Wildlife biologists who have spent their lives observing natural wolf pack behavior do not observe acquisition of higher places to be associated with confrontation or challenge among wolves. Dogs or wolves may choose to occupy a comfortable location. They may select a location to observe prey or approaching enemies.

The pertinent questions become: Do you want your dog on the bed, couch or chair? Is it safe to have your dog in those places with you? Do you enjoy that interaction with your pet or would you rather not have dog hair in your bed? This is a personal decision based on how you enjoy interacting with your pet and if it is safe. This matter only becomes relevant for behavior issues if a dog is aggressive to people while in these vulnerable positions. So, cuddling in bed with a dog that may wake up suddenly and react by startled aggression is a bad idea because it puts people at risk for an aggressive episode not because the dog infers some hierarchal privilege by being in the bed.

Myth:If you establish eye contact with the dog, the dog must avert his gaze first.

Fact: Teach your dog to watch your face on cue; then you have his attention and if your dog is watching you instead of something else many problems can be avoided.

Dogs do display submission or appeasement by diverting their eyes. It can also mean fear, conflict or anxiety (see Canine Communication – Interpreting Dog Language). New research suggests that dogs have the innate ability to observe and learn from human gestures and eye gaze. Curiously wolves did not display this ability. Dogs can also be taught to watch a person’s face on cue and this can be very helpful in the prevention and treatment of behavior problems. For example, if a dog doesn’t like other dogs then while passing other dogs he can be given a “watch” cue and rewarded for watching his owner.