Dog Body Language: A Primer from the ASPCA

(c) by Carrie Boyko

     

(c) Reader copyright on file

How would you describe 

Hondo's Body Language?

This guys looks relaxed, content and friendly to me, but those are not the words that all rescuers and other dog professionals might use.

Have you ever listened to two dog rescuers talking? They often seem to have their own language when describing the dogs they are assessing. That's because they do. Here's a nice presentation done by the ASPCA, specifically for rescuers, vets, and other dog professionals You may find it helpful in following their lingo, and it will be helpful in labeling your own dog's behavior for your vet or a trainer.


I will warn you upfront though, I was surprised to see that the ASPCA did not draw any parallels between these body language 'labels' and their meaning. 


As I continue to read books about dogs and dog behavior, I have found that many professionals have differing opinions about the meaning of various body language messages. I suppose the truest answer will come from the owner who has known the dog the longest, but even then some dogs can surprise us. 


If you own a large or 'bully' breed dog, it is wise to acquaint yourself with dog body language and learn as much as you can about your own dog's particular behaviors. If you become concerned with a behavior that you believe might escalate into a problem, get help before it does. Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Columnist, Judith Joseph, will be happy to address your questions, if you'd like to drop her a note. 


Here it is again: The ASPCA's 'Safer Glossary', a video presentation of canine body language.

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Preparing Your Puppy for a Life of Happy Vet Visits

by Carrie Boyko

While at the vet with my pack recently, one of the pet nurses commented on how amiable all three of my dogs are when they come in for their regular exams and vaccinations. She went on to explain that many of the dogs who visit them are fearful, aggressive or anxious during their visits, which seems to result in a higher-maintenance visit for the vet and nurses.

Thinking back on my puppy raising days, I remembered that these problems are the reason for many of the daily handling activities that owners are encouraged to do with their pups. 

Below are a few of the tips that will help you prepare your pup for a less-anxious, more enjoyable experience at the veterinarian. The logic behind most of these tasks is to acclimate your puppy to the types of handling and activities that will occur at the vet. If your puppy is used to being handled in the same ways that the nurses and doctors do, they will be much less likely to be frightened. Daily practice, starting today, will help your furry friend be a much happier patient, and that is good for both of you.

• Begin human socialization immediately upon taking your puppy home; take him out to meet others and encourage everyone who visits to play with and handle him.
• Emphasize a variety of different looking people in your socialization exercises: wheelchairs, canes, blacks, whites, beards, curly hair, you get the picture. Your pup needs to see it all during these formative first few months. Be sure to include folks in various types of uniforms as well. Fearful dogs have often been known to target uniformed people like mail carriers, police and even veterinarians.
• Demonstrate leadership when socializing your pup by always showing your complete and total confidence in the presence of different looking people and places. You will be setting the example for your pup's lack of nervous energy at the vet, if you greet the vet warmly and show Rover how enjoyable it is to be there.
• Expose your puppy to noises of all kinds as well--printers, phones, meowing cats, barking dogs, and yes, even bigger groups of them, when she is ready.
• Handle your puppy daily in many of the ways your vet will do this, checking ears, eyes, teeth, abdomen, tail, backside and pads of the feet.
• For many pups the toes may be a sensitive area. If so, choose a soothing foot-pad massage instead, gradually getting deeper between the toes as your puppy begins to grow larger and accept this manipulation.
• Praise the puppy lavishly each time she allows you to examine an area that you need to get good visibility in. Trust me, one day when you need to pull a tick from between her toes, you'll need her to cooperate. Now is the time to prepare her for this eventuality.
• You can even mimic an eye check. First allow your pup to sniff and examine the flashlight. Then use it to dart the light quickly past her eyes, praising her when she handles this with moderate ease.
•  Include gentle snout massages in your routine to prepare the puppy for a nose exam. Treat her when she willingly allows you to massage or stroke her snout, as this is another extremely sensitive area on most dogs.

If you get your puppy used to being held, handled, checked and socialized with people, she will show you quite quickly that she can be a terrific patient. It just takes some diligence to practice these moves daily.

One final tip…most vets use a large scale to weigh your pup on. You can use a dark floor mat or other low, stable item to practice weighing. Teaching your puppy to sit on the scale will assist with getting an accurate weight. Most puppies can learn the sit command within a couple of days of starting to practice. Check back for my post of teaching sit, coming soon here at All Things Dog Blog.

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Too Much Exercise?

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

I Guess We Overdid the Workout Today!

Some days Tanner seems to want to tell me something...he looks imploringly at my face as if to say, "do you understand what I'm trying to say?" I guess today's look was something like, "Mom, I'm pooped. That was a long fetch game at the dog park."


Or perhaps it was too long of a run this morning. I recently read a friend's article on dogs that make good runners. The Golden Retriever didn't make the list, but Tanner doesn't have to worry. No way I'd let him go. He's affectionate, loyal, obedient (generally) and attentive. What more could I ask?

This summer Tanner turned 3 years old. I am finally beginning to notice signs of impending adulthood--a slight lessening of the energy level. That's not to say he doesn't still school the whole pack at the dog park on getting to the Fetch ball. But his day will come when someone will take that job away from him.

I guess I'll have to modulate his exercise, just as I do with Xena, who is nearly 13. She joins us for most walks, but we double back and drop her off at the house before continuing on, and she no longer runs with us. I suppose one day I'll be doubling back with Tanner--but not anytime soon. And thank goodness for that.

Learning to Speak Dog: The Play Bow

© photo copyright 2009 Carrie Boyko

Oliver Demonstrates a Play Bow

One of the first recognizable doggie communications we all see in our pups is called the Play Bow. Named for the front legs dropping to the elbows, while the rear stays up, the play bow is an invitation, doggie style, to play.

The Play Bow can be used with people, dogs and other pets. Dogs do not discriminate. Before Marc took his rabbit back to Virginia, Oliver often invited Robby to play. I never managed to catch one of those play bows on camera, much to my chagrin. Oliver still invites our cat, Patches, to play. Unfortunately for Oliver, Patches has outgrown her playing days, and would prefer to smack him in the nose when approached with his juvenile enthusiasm. Her response is something akin to "Get out my face, you dawg!"

Despite Oliver's diminutive size (tipping the scale at 8.2 pounds), the cutest Play Bow in our family is still Xena. She may be nearing 90, but she still enjoys a good wrestling match--generally with Tanner, whose size matches hers much better. At her age, she's not really interested in learning how to wrestle with a peanut sized sparring partner like Oliver. Really! What's the point? She's going to win simply by her size alone. No contest.

Racing would not be much different. Although Oliver could easily keep up with her, dogs generally wrestle at the end of a race, so that's that. Why bother?

No matter who offers the play bow, it is always a pleasure to see--cute and innocent--let's have fun! We should all be so lucky as to have life be so simple.
Want to learn more about your dog's language? Check out this book: