Even if he's small enough to fit in a handbag, the friendly household pet dog you know and love has a mighty wolf pack in his ancestry. Dogs never entirely lose their affinity for the pack. Understanding social cues is vital for a wolf's survival; your dog has kept his ability to read the pack's emotions from body language and audible feedback. Now that he lives with you, you represent the pack leader and can learn how to communicate with your dog in his own native language.
The Tale of the Tail
Humans' expressive faces communicate volumes of information, but dogs' facial repertoire of emotions is smaller. However, they have a communication device that people don't: a tail. Many dog owners mistake a wagging tail for an unequivocal sign of happiness, but the tail's tale is more complex than that. Wagging can also signify insecurity, a need for reassurance, or indecision.
If the rest of your dog's body expresses a sentence, then the tail is the punctuation. A relaxed body, perky ears, and an elevated wagging tail means "I'm glad to see you." Whole-body wagging with jumping or a few yelps means, "I'm so happy you're home!" A lowered, tucked tail and pinned ears means, "Are you sure this is safe?"
You can't send signals back with your own tail, but you can read your dog's tail and treat him accordingly. Play with him when he holds his tail aloft like a banner and reassure him when his tail is tucked. When he holds his tail parallel to his body in a relaxed, neutral position, he'll be most receptive to a pat or a kind word.
Eye Contact
To a person, prolonged eye contact can be anything from adoring to threatening. For dogs, the signal is less ambiguous: a stare is aggressive to a dog. Pack leaders will stare down animals of lower social status to underscore their own dominance. Knowing this will help you deliver a more emphatic lesson; fix him with a stern look when you correct his behavior and you'll find it more effective than raising your voice.
Watch how your dog watches you. You'll probably notice that he glances at you, then away, then back again rather than maintaining eye contact. Try the same pattern of glancing looks if you want to put him at ease. Your dog will appreciate your courtesy even if he can't tell you so directly.
Body Language
Alpha dogs assert their dominance physically with taps or nips to another dog's shoulders or flanks. While you don't want to nip your dog, you should know that resting your chin on your dog's shoulders or draping an arm over him sends the signal that you are the pack leader. It's an affectionate display of dominance, so your dog may respond with an equally affectionate sign of submission--licking your face.
Rolling onto his back and presenting you with his belly is an invitation to scratch his tummy, but your dog is also showing you how much he trusts you as his alpha dog. It's a vulnerable position that dogs rarely adopt unless they feel comfortable.
Try giving your dog a "play bow" and see how he responds. Dogs and wolves alike use this posture--rump up, front legs stretched out to lower the front half of the body--as an invitation to play. You might feel a bit silly with your tail up and your arms outstretched, but your dog will be charmed at your attempt to speak his language.
The Tale of the Tail
Humans' expressive faces communicate volumes of information, but dogs' facial repertoire of emotions is smaller. However, they have a communication device that people don't: a tail. Many dog owners mistake a wagging tail for an unequivocal sign of happiness, but the tail's tale is more complex than that. Wagging can also signify insecurity, a need for reassurance, or indecision.
If the rest of your dog's body expresses a sentence, then the tail is the punctuation. A relaxed body, perky ears, and an elevated wagging tail means "I'm glad to see you." Whole-body wagging with jumping or a few yelps means, "I'm so happy you're home!" A lowered, tucked tail and pinned ears means, "Are you sure this is safe?"
You can't send signals back with your own tail, but you can read your dog's tail and treat him accordingly. Play with him when he holds his tail aloft like a banner and reassure him when his tail is tucked. When he holds his tail parallel to his body in a relaxed, neutral position, he'll be most receptive to a pat or a kind word.
Eye Contact
To a person, prolonged eye contact can be anything from adoring to threatening. For dogs, the signal is less ambiguous: a stare is aggressive to a dog. Pack leaders will stare down animals of lower social status to underscore their own dominance. Knowing this will help you deliver a more emphatic lesson; fix him with a stern look when you correct his behavior and you'll find it more effective than raising your voice.
Watch how your dog watches you. You'll probably notice that he glances at you, then away, then back again rather than maintaining eye contact. Try the same pattern of glancing looks if you want to put him at ease. Your dog will appreciate your courtesy even if he can't tell you so directly.
Body Language
Alpha dogs assert their dominance physically with taps or nips to another dog's shoulders or flanks. While you don't want to nip your dog, you should know that resting your chin on your dog's shoulders or draping an arm over him sends the signal that you are the pack leader. It's an affectionate display of dominance, so your dog may respond with an equally affectionate sign of submission--licking your face.
Rolling onto his back and presenting you with his belly is an invitation to scratch his tummy, but your dog is also showing you how much he trusts you as his alpha dog. It's a vulnerable position that dogs rarely adopt unless they feel comfortable.
Try giving your dog a "play bow" and see how he responds. Dogs and wolves alike use this posture--rump up, front legs stretched out to lower the front half of the body--as an invitation to play. You might feel a bit silly with your tail up and your arms outstretched, but your dog will be charmed at your attempt to speak his language.
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