Recognizing Body Language of

Dogs and Cats

 
 

 DOGS

  1. Relating to Dogs:

  • Never pet someone's dog before asking permission.  If it's okay, approach slowly and quietly. Let the dog sniff you first, then pet the dog's sides or back gently. DO NOT FLING OR MOVE YOUR HANDS QUICKLY.
  • Never sneak up on or pet a dog who is eating or sleeping. Animals may bite when they're startled or frightened.
  • Never pet a dog who is playing with a toy. Dogs are often protective of toys, and may think a child is trying to take it.
  • Never try to pet a dog who is in a car. Dogs will often protect that space.
  • Never pet a dog who is behind a fence. Most dogs naturally protect their territory (property and home).

  2. Social Hierarchy,  may not be apparent until dogs are competing.

    A Dogs Social Position, the 3 P's:

  • Perceived Prize Value
  • Possession is nine tenths of the law
  • Personality (Heredity, and early interactions with litter mates shape a dog's personality)

      Example, Fight over a Toy:

  • A Confident dog who wants another dogs toy will challenge the nine tenths theory.
  • A Subordinate dog will quickly decide if the toy is worth fighting for (usually rather quickly) and relinquish the toy.

  3.  A Dogs Body Language... Recognize when a dog is going to bite:

    An Angry Dog:

  • May try to make itself look big:
  • Ears standing up,
  • Fur on her back standing on end
  • Tail straight up (it may be wagging).
  • The dog may bare it's teeth and growl, and stare straight at whoever is approaching.

     A Frightened Dog:

  • May behave differently, and may shrink to the ground
  • May put his tail between his legs (or tail may move slowly from side to side).
  • Fold his ears back (or down).
  • A Wary dog who's not too sure of the situation may suddenly strike without warning, out of self defense.

   

 CATS

 1. Four types of Purrs:

  • Rough- distinct beat, happy

  • Smooth- not happy

  • Smooth with High Pitch- a want or desire

  • Monotonous- distress, coming from deep within throat or chest

 2. A Cat's Body Language

   Offensive/Aggressive:

  • Ears forward & erect

  • Tail low and bristling, swishing to and fro

  • Whiskers bristled forward& body crouched to pounce or strike

  • Pupils closed to a slit

  • Facial expression, mouth open with teeth showing or lips back snarling, growling, hissing, spitting sounds

   Defensive:

  • Ears back

  • Tail bristle arched

  • Whiskers bristled, body arched back & turned sideways

  • Pupils enlarged

  • Facial expression, shows teeth, mouth hissing & spitting sounds

    Submissive:

  • Ears completely flattened

  • Tail thumping ground

  • Whiskers and Fur flat

  • Pupils enlarged

  • Facial expression, mouth open no sound or half open for distress call

     Approachable:

  • Friendly

 

 

© 2007 EpsteinNJ.com