* how can you tell when dogs are sad or mad?
Dogs show their emotions in many different ways. Much like us, some dogs will act "sad" or "depressed" by wanting to be alone. Sometimes, they may show little to no interest in the activities they usually enjoy, such as playing with a ball, or going for a walk. The tricky part is that these symptoms can also be an indication that the dog is not feeling well. This is why we recommend talking to your vet if you think your dog is acting depressed; sometimes this can mean they are sick or hurting somewhere. Scientists have proven that dogs experience feelings of loss, and grieve like we do if they lose a friend.
A dog that is "mad," or upset will demonstrate in different ways as well. Stiff body postures (head up, ears perked, tail stiff, staring intently) or vocalizations (growling, snarling, showing their teeth in a menacing way--showing teeth can also mean that a dog is trying to be Super Submissive, it just depends on the dog) can be a good way to tell if a dog is upset. Most dogs who are demonstrating in these ways may actually be very frightened, and are trying their best to make the scary thing, or situation go away.
Nature gives most animals the instinct to either choose Fight or Flight (to run away) in scary situations; a dog may have reacted by barking or growling to something that made them nervous, and it worked to make the thing go away, so the dog will most likely repeat this behavior. Especially if moving away from the situation is not an option. Over time, if the dog is subjected to things that make them nervous over and over, without proper re-direction or counter-conditioning, the dog's emotional response will begin to change. What may have started as a fear-response, can become actual aggression.
* What does it mean when dogs start barking randomly?
Ha Ha! This is a great question! Most dogs are never barking randomly. The canine sensory system is so much more sensitive than ours. They are aware of SO many sounds, sights and smells that we do not notice. What seems like a random sound, may be motivated by something they heard, or smelled.
Some dogs do bark because of boredom. Not getting the mental or physical stimulation they need can lead to chronic barking, simply because the dog is looking for something to do. This is why it is so important to teach your dog tricks and take them places. You'd get bored if you never left the house, and the same is true for dogs. Playing with your dog is a great way to avoid a bored dog. Play is such an important part of canine behavior!
*How can you tell dogs are trying to protect you?
A dog that is trying to protect you will usually put themselves between you and whatever it is they perceive as a threat. Some dogs have an over-blown or highly-sensitive sense of protection, and try to protect their pack (you or your family members) from just about everything. Some dogs are very subtle (not very obvious) in their attempts to protect you, and don't bark or growl, but will certainly stand in front of their favorite humans, or stuff.
Some dogs will also try to protect themselves, or their pack, if they are nervous, or scared of things/people/other dogs. This is usually because the dog has either had a traumatic experience, or a lack of exposure (socialization) to the world around them, and just do not understand that they don't have to be afraid. Getting these dogs in to a class, or working with a trainer is a good idea for these dogs. It can change how they feel about the world, and may help them to relax and not feel like they have to be so protective.
* What does the dogs ear movements mean?
Again, this greatly depends on the dog, but most dogs will prick their ears forward (yes, even dogs with floppy ears) when they are alert, or excited, or defensive. You have to look at the rest of the dog's body to really tell if those ears mean something you may want to be careful about.
Tucking the ears close to the head, can be submission, fear or an indication that the dog is uncomfortable. They are trying to look smaller, and less threatening by flattening their ears to their head.
A dog with a "relaxed ear set" is usually just chillin'. It is always important to look at the whole dog to determine what may be going on with them emotionally. I have a dog with huge, floppy ears, so it is sometimes hard to tell when his ears are perked up. When he flattens them, as in, when he is scared of something, those ears don't change too much, so I have to look at how he is carrying his head, where his tail is, and how he is acting otherwise. Parts of the dog may tell you only part of the story.
*Does the tail movement have to do anything with their emotions?
Your dog's tail has a lot to say about how they are feeling. A wagging tail does not always mean a friendly dog. There was a behavioral study by National Geographic that explored the direction of a wag, as it relates to what it may be communicating. The link is here https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/left-or-right-tail-wags-elicit-different-emotional-responses-from-dogs/ if you'd like to check it out.
Most dogs respond favorably to a dog who has a relaxed set (neither up, nor down, but wagging in the middle) and wagging more to the right. This seems to be telling other dogs that they are open and friendly, while a left-side wag made dogs want to leave that dog alone.
If a dog has a very high, stiff, tight looking wagging tail, this may mean that he is excited, but also VERY ready for action. Some dogs will wag like this when they are chasing a rabbit, or even when they are preparing to defend themselves.
A low or tucked tail can mean that the dog is uncomfortable, nervous or trying to show that they are non-threatening. Giving this sort of dog a bit of space, and allowing them to choose when they would like to approach you is the best plan.
There are also dogs out there who do not have much of a tail. This can make it tough to use the tail as a tell for how the dog is feeling. Watching the rest of the dog's body language will help in these instances. If you are unsure, it is always a good idea to give a dog space, and wait for them to decide if they want to interact with you.
As a general rule, any time a dog goes very still, they are trying to warn you that they may need space.
No comments:
Post a Comment