SolveYourProblem.com
Article Series: "Dog Talk" & Barking
Why Is My Dog Barking?
Dog
Talk: What Is My Dog Saying (Tongue, Eyes, Ears and Voice)?
Most dog owners forget that the easiest way
to bond with their pet, not to mention when also training the
dog, is to understand basic dog language – body language, that
is.
Let's talk about a dog's tongue. He uses it primarily for
getting food and water, and for cooling himself. When “speaking
body language,” he licks you with it to show his friendliness
and to ask for attention. A dog that licks walls and eats dirt
or dust, however, and does so without the need of a supplement
in his diet, is desperate for attention or company.
His tongue can also tell you when he has swallowed his pill
after being given a vitamin or medication. When it has gone
down, his tongue will pop out like a frog's two times in quick
succession.
Watching His Eyes
Now let's discuss how a dog uses his eyes to “talk”. How a
dog moves his eyes can tell you much about his mood. A dog
who is being submissive avoids eye contact with a dominant
dog. One that is trying to make up with his master looks away
from him in an exaggerated way. A contented dog curled up in
a corner has a sleepy-eyed look.
On the other hand, a direct stare from a dog says he feels
aggressive and means to have you keep your distance. When veterinarians
are working with dogs in their medical rooms, they should be
watching the eyes more than anything else to determine which
dog might snap at him.
A good rule to follow for safety is this: A dog that watches
every move you make is probably about to bite you!
Perking Up Those Ears
Dogs speak with their ears as well as listen with them. A
dog holding his ears straight up, forward, and erect, is alert.
He may be checking on something he heard. He may be considering
the possibility of a serious scuffle with an enemy or some
friendly romping with his master.
A dog with lowered, relaxed ears is calm and sociable. If
he is showing submissiveness or is frightened, he'll keep them
very low. A dog making a threat (and on the verge of attacking)
twists his ears outward and downward, laying them flat against
his head.
The Voice Of Reason
A dog's vocal repertoire of whines, howls, growls, and barks
are part of his body language. Noises are what he resorts to
when he considers it imperative that someone get his message.
A dog that goes “Yip. Yip. Yip... yip, yip... yip!” for hours
on end is usually bored. Likely he has been confined and left
alone.
Sometimes he will vary his “yips” with a frustrated-sounding
“Arrrrr, rarr, arrarrrr.”
A wailing puppy begging for attention delivers a high-pitched
“Mmm, mmm, mmmmm,” usually in the dead of night.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2009
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