Canine Communication

What does the dog say

As humans it comes natural to us: watching. I don't just mean streaming, (Bea's) Instagram reels or Betamax cassettes. We learn by observation, through mimicking we discover. In a way we become ourselves by imitation. Isn't that a fun thought? So, I guess you have spent hours upon hours watching your dog, just like me. The other day, I was sitting in the yard and I stared at my phone, when it hit me. Why do I numb myself with overstimulation (another interesting paradox), when I could just fill my heart with the simple joy of just looking at Bea. And I did, I turned around and she was Beagle lying on the grass, a little twig between her paws and she just chewed away. It instantly broke my dam and I was sitting it this awful heat with tears and sweat just streaming down my cheeks. Long story short: Sometimes our dog's behavior makes us happy, other times it makes us wonder. And I thought I might give you some pointers on what I have learned in the last years about canine communication. I want to keep this brief, so there will be second part.

The List

Just so you know, this list is more vague than others, because dogs are dogs and humans are humans. At the end of the day. we're all just guessing.

I. Body Language

Tail Wagging:

Can indicate happiness, excitement, or agitation depending on the speed and height of the tail. Bea's tail is almost perpendicular to her body when she's happy wagging.

Ear Position:

Forward ears show interest or alertness, while flattened ears can indicate fear or submission. With Bea's huge and floppy ears it might be a bit harder to see, but I'm sure a short but thorough look will clear things up for you. Bea's ears seem to be shifting about 15cm (6 inches) between the two extremes.

Posture:

A relaxed posture indicates a calm and happy dog, while a stiff posture can signify aggression or alertness. A dog rolling onto its back shows submission or trust. When the dog is rolling around on their back, starting to go down head first, they found something extremely stinky they need to put on their fur.

Facial Expressions:

Raised eyebrows can indicate curiosity, while showing teeth can signal aggression or fear. Some dog's learn to "laugh" and show their teeth, that to me just looks uncanny.

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II. Vocalizations

Barking:

Dogs bark for various reasons, including alerting to danger, seeking attention, expressing excitement, or signaling anxiety. Bea for example barks at the dark and men with hats or helmets or beards, also towels on a chair or on the floor. But her bark sounds like singing, so it's not so bad.

Growling:

Often a warning sign of aggression or discomfort, but can also be playful in certain contexts. Bea for example growls at the dark and men with hats or helmets or beards, also towels on a chair or on the floor. Yes, your read that correctly. But she also growls like a werewolf when we play with her favorite toys.

Whining:

Usually indicates distress, anxiety, or a need for attention, or even pain. Bea is very stubborn but also patient, so she'll wait for an incredibly long time for something she wants, but when her limit is reached, she whines, a little and adorably.

Howling:

Can be a form of communication with other dogs or a response to certain sounds. In Austria the local fire siren is tested every Saturday noon by activating it for 15 seconds. That of course scratches Bea's howling ich.

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Something smells amazing...

III. Scent Marking

Urine Marking:

Male dogs mark their territory with urine to communicate their presence to other dogs. Some people call the sniffing part "reading the newspaper", but somehow I don't really like this expression, it makes it seem very trivial, while it's absolutely essential to all dogs.

Scent Glands:

Dogs have many scent glands, for example on their paws and faces, which they use to leave their scent by rubbing or scratching surfaces. When they rub their face on you, your officially their territory. But dog's have scent glands also in their butts, called anal glands. These are the reason, why butt sniffing is one of the first things dog's do, when meeting.