The question is not whether the dog will bite, but whether the dog and person are both enjoying the interaction. - Colleen Pelar
DOG LANGUAGE 101
Must-Know Info for Parents!
"The Kiss To Dismiss"
Jennifer Shryock, BA, CDBC of Family Paws Parent Education, explains that certain types of face licking by dogs are intended to increase the distance between the licker and the lickee. She calls this a “Kiss to Dismiss”. It is one way that dogs try to get someone who is pestering them, or stressing them to go away. Jennifer suggests several questions that need to be considered when you see a dog licking you, your child, or another animal or family member in your home:
1. Is your dog in need of space?
2. Is your dog in need of space and there is a reason they may choose not to move? (example: it's a comfy spot, they are with a valuable resource (bone, toy, bed, etc), they are in pain or discomfort)
3. Does this licking deter closeness or lead to an increase in space?
Patricia McConnell, PhD, and a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) discusses her take on this behavior here.
Dogs are not foolish or stupid by any means. Take a moment to think about how you respond when a dog licks your face. Unless you love dog slobber, you will probably turn your head away. And at the very least, you will look away. When a dog does this during times of stress or discomfort, the dogs knows that by licking, it will increase the distance between you and the dog, the baby and the dog, and therefore increase the comfort of the dog when things are too intense for him or her. It basically is a clever way to get you to choose to move away just a bit or leave the dog's area.
Below is an excellent video showing a family dog displaying the "kiss to dismiss" behavior to the family baby. In the video below the dog is very gentle and so is the child, but it's not safe and there is so much going on there. To the untrained eye this looks like the dog and baby are having a great time together. However, the only one having a great time is the baby and mother. This dog is being very tolerant of something that should never, ever be allowed to happen; children should never be allowed to come near a dog with a toy, bone, food, or other prized possession. Dogs who are resting, enjoying a bone, or eating a meal should be left alone. Teaching safe boundaries to children begins early and at home.
1. Is your dog in need of space?
2. Is your dog in need of space and there is a reason they may choose not to move? (example: it's a comfy spot, they are with a valuable resource (bone, toy, bed, etc), they are in pain or discomfort)
3. Does this licking deter closeness or lead to an increase in space?
Patricia McConnell, PhD, and a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) discusses her take on this behavior here.
Dogs are not foolish or stupid by any means. Take a moment to think about how you respond when a dog licks your face. Unless you love dog slobber, you will probably turn your head away. And at the very least, you will look away. When a dog does this during times of stress or discomfort, the dogs knows that by licking, it will increase the distance between you and the dog, the baby and the dog, and therefore increase the comfort of the dog when things are too intense for him or her. It basically is a clever way to get you to choose to move away just a bit or leave the dog's area.
Below is an excellent video showing a family dog displaying the "kiss to dismiss" behavior to the family baby. In the video below the dog is very gentle and so is the child, but it's not safe and there is so much going on there. To the untrained eye this looks like the dog and baby are having a great time together. However, the only one having a great time is the baby and mother. This dog is being very tolerant of something that should never, ever be allowed to happen; children should never be allowed to come near a dog with a toy, bone, food, or other prized possession. Dogs who are resting, enjoying a bone, or eating a meal should be left alone. Teaching safe boundaries to children begins early and at home.
This video review and commentary is provided by Jennifer Shryock, BA, CDBC of Family Paws Parent Education:
Bruno was getting on his mom’s nerves by licking the baby so intensely but the baby was truly getting on bruno’s nerves by being so close and not leaving him alone. Notice how Bruno took the bone and turned his body away from the baby? Then he continues licking? It is very subtle but this is how dogs talk and communicate.
The challenge is that these signals were interpreted as kisses or as not wanted for the baby, but Bruno’s comfort level was not considered. Bruno is communicating the only way he can. It is the same as a kids saying “hey could you move over please?”. After a dog uses all the subtle ways to communicate the same thing over and over, then they may escalate to a more direct and clear communication such as growling. We don’t want things to get to that point. This is why everyone MUST become very familiar with dog communication!
Bruno was getting on his mom’s nerves by licking the baby so intensely but the baby was truly getting on bruno’s nerves by being so close and not leaving him alone. Notice how Bruno took the bone and turned his body away from the baby? Then he continues licking? It is very subtle but this is how dogs talk and communicate.
The challenge is that these signals were interpreted as kisses or as not wanted for the baby, but Bruno’s comfort level was not considered. Bruno is communicating the only way he can. It is the same as a kids saying “hey could you move over please?”. After a dog uses all the subtle ways to communicate the same thing over and over, then they may escalate to a more direct and clear communication such as growling. We don’t want things to get to that point. This is why everyone MUST become very familiar with dog communication!
Now, watch the video again and look for these behaviors and signals from the dog:
At 1:02 Bruno (the dog) gives a quick lick. At 1:05, he repeats this lick while raising up a bit more. At 1:06 - 1:07 the child begins to move away. How is mom interpreting this at 1:09? ... She is saying that is enough, and baby is moving back. At 1:11 Bruno looks up at Mom. At 1:12 he glances at the bone he wants, but the child is still “too close” so more licking. Baby is moving away, and Bruno continues reaching with licks at 1:13. At 1:21 the baby reaches for the bone; Bruno is looking to Mom (the trusted adult) for input/help. Bruno sniffs the bone, then begins licking baby again. At 1:30 you see Bruno's shoulders move slightly forward and more pushing the baby away with licks. At 1:32 Bruno gets up and continues to lick baby while leaving the bone. Mom corrects Bruno (!) and then he tries to get back to his bone at 1:38. All the dog really wants to do is to enjoy his bone with some space.
In the end, did licking work to increase distance? What do you think?
At 1:02 Bruno (the dog) gives a quick lick. At 1:05, he repeats this lick while raising up a bit more. At 1:06 - 1:07 the child begins to move away. How is mom interpreting this at 1:09? ... She is saying that is enough, and baby is moving back. At 1:11 Bruno looks up at Mom. At 1:12 he glances at the bone he wants, but the child is still “too close” so more licking. Baby is moving away, and Bruno continues reaching with licks at 1:13. At 1:21 the baby reaches for the bone; Bruno is looking to Mom (the trusted adult) for input/help. Bruno sniffs the bone, then begins licking baby again. At 1:30 you see Bruno's shoulders move slightly forward and more pushing the baby away with licks. At 1:32 Bruno gets up and continues to lick baby while leaving the bone. Mom corrects Bruno (!) and then he tries to get back to his bone at 1:38. All the dog really wants to do is to enjoy his bone with some space.
In the end, did licking work to increase distance? What do you think?
Canine Body Language
What is Whale Eye?
Whale eye is an example of dog communication. It is dog body language that provides a cue to you and other animals about what a dog is feeling and thinking. "Whale eye" is the term dog trainers use to describe a dog's body language when you can see the whites of the dog's eyes. It occurs when a dog averts his head slightly, but keeps his eyes fixed on something or someone. You will see the whites in a half moon shape.
What It Means
If you notice a dog is exhibiting whale eye, he/she is telling you that they are feeling anxious and uncomfortable. The dog is feeling some kind of stress. It could be a signal that a dog could show aggressive behaviors (because a dog who is anxious is more likely to bite). This is a warning signal and is often accompanied by hard eyes, freezing, stiffening up. It extreme cases it can lead to growling.
What To Do
If you see your dog displaying this body language, back off and figure out what prompted it. Was your dog guarding something? Was he or she uncomfortable with how you were touching or interacting with him? Is he/she sore or experiencing pain? Be sure to relax and calmly back away so he or she can relax and become more comfortable.
What NOT to do
Whatever you do, make sure you never punish a dog who is displaying warning signals. Instead, figure out why he is warning you and do something to change his emotional response to whatever was upsetting him so that it no longer bothers him.
Whale eye is an example of dog communication. It is dog body language that provides a cue to you and other animals about what a dog is feeling and thinking. "Whale eye" is the term dog trainers use to describe a dog's body language when you can see the whites of the dog's eyes. It occurs when a dog averts his head slightly, but keeps his eyes fixed on something or someone. You will see the whites in a half moon shape.
What It Means
If you notice a dog is exhibiting whale eye, he/she is telling you that they are feeling anxious and uncomfortable. The dog is feeling some kind of stress. It could be a signal that a dog could show aggressive behaviors (because a dog who is anxious is more likely to bite). This is a warning signal and is often accompanied by hard eyes, freezing, stiffening up. It extreme cases it can lead to growling.
What To Do
If you see your dog displaying this body language, back off and figure out what prompted it. Was your dog guarding something? Was he or she uncomfortable with how you were touching or interacting with him? Is he/she sore or experiencing pain? Be sure to relax and calmly back away so he or she can relax and become more comfortable.
What NOT to do
Whatever you do, make sure you never punish a dog who is displaying warning signals. Instead, figure out why he is warning you and do something to change his emotional response to whatever was upsetting him so that it no longer bothers him.
Some Dogs Don't Want Belly Rubs!
This is a great example of a dog that DOES want a belly rub.
Dogs who truly want their bellies rubbed will have loose and floppy body language, with soft eyes and wiggly bodies. When a dog appears tense, looks away from you, has wide eyes (or whale eyes), licks their lips, or shows other signs of stress, he or she is probably asking you to back off. This body language is known as a “tap out” or “inguinal exposure,” and should be respected by giving the dog space to feel more comfortable.
There are different reasons why a dog may offer his/her belly. Some dogs really do want belly rubs, and other dogs will offer their belly as a distance increasing signal. In those cases, their belly-up posture is a polite way to ask you to leave them alone.
How well do you speak dog? Check out these images (from Paws Abilities Dog Training) to see which dogs are inviting a belly rub and which ones are asking you to leave them be.
There are different reasons why a dog may offer his/her belly. Some dogs really do want belly rubs, and other dogs will offer their belly as a distance increasing signal. In those cases, their belly-up posture is a polite way to ask you to leave them alone.
How well do you speak dog? Check out these images (from Paws Abilities Dog Training) to see which dogs are inviting a belly rub and which ones are asking you to leave them be.
Dog Signals
How often do you watch your dog and really understand his or her behavior? Dogs have a very diverse and rich body language that they use to great effect. We can eavesdrop on what a dog is telling you (or another dog or cat) by knowing a little bit about how dogs behave when they are relaxed, happy, nervous, frustrated or angry. Do you know what each of these behaviors mean?
Learn what all of these very specific and deliberate behaviors mean HERE and HERE.
- Standing Still
- The Rocking Horse Run
- Crouching
- Bowing
- Stiffness
- Hard Eye
- Freezing
- Stiff Mouth
- Lip Licking
Learn what all of these very specific and deliberate behaviors mean HERE and HERE.
Listen to: "What Do Dogs Say with Their Tails?"
Listen to: "How to Read a Dog’s Facial Expressions"
Listen to: "How to Read a Dog’s Facial Expressions"
