Types of Canine Communication
Canine communication falls into three different categories: body language, vocal, and olfactory.
Body Language
Body language is the primary method that dogs use to communicate. Their message is presented through visual clues. Humans have many misconceptions about dog body language, so we’ll try to clarify some of these here.
Many of the misinterpretations of dog body language are due to an old theory on dominance and submission. We won’t go into what the theory says, as it has been overwhelmingly rebuked, even by the man who first proposed it. The majority of dog body language does not fall into the dominance and submission categories.
Head Posture
Dogs point their heads where they want to go. When a dog’s muzzle is pointed at another dog, it can signify aggression. Turning their head away indicates friendliness.
Mouth Shape
Some mouth shapes, like snarling, are obvious in their message. Others are less so. Panting could be your dog’s way of cooling off, but it can also be a sign of relaxation if the jaw is loose. Combined with forehead tension and a tense jaw, panting can indicate your dog is feeling stressed.
Yawning
Dog yawning doesn’t always mean they’re tired. Dogs have a tendency to yawn when they are stressed. They do it to more aggressive dogs in an effort to defuse them, often followed by turning their head away.
Eyes
Eye contact isn’t a sign of aggression, but dogs may refuse to make eye contact with one another if they want to avoid aggression. Refusing to look anyone in the eye can also indicate that a dog is uncomfortable with the situation.
Tail
The position of a dog’s tail is one of the biggest indicators of how they’re feeling. A tail that is straight out and stiff is aggressive. One tucked between the legs can show fear.
Tail wagging doesn’t always mean a dog is happy; dogs also wag their tails to show that they are uneasy about a situation. Direction matters too. A tilt to the left indicates uncertainty, while a wave to the right says they are comfortable.
Ears
Dogs communicate with each other with their ears, but this type of communication is difficult to understand. Because dogs’ ear shapes are so different, some dogs aren’t able to move their ears the way others are. If a dog’s ears have been pinned or artificially altered, this will limit this method of communication even further.
Ears that are standing straight up to indicate alertness. Stiff and pulled-back ears show fear or aggression. Dogs often flatten their ears against their head if they feel conflict is about to erupt, as they don’t want their ears bitten off in a fight.
Body
Dogs who are stiff and upright in their body may be excited. Bristled fur often indicates aggression. Scared dogs will lower their bodies, while they will exhibit a “play bow” when they want to play.
Vocal Communication
Dogs have a wide range of vocal sounds they can use to communicate. Barking is the most obvious, and the most common. Dogs can bark rapidly in short bursts to communicate distress or surprise. Slow and continuous barking is often more aggressive and meant to communicate a threat.
Some dogs bark in happiness and excitement, like when someone they love is coming to the door.
Growling is another familiar vocal sound. This is usually aggressive, although high-pitched growling can indicate surprise. It’s fairly easy to tell the difference, as surprised “growling” sounds more like a yip.
Dogs who howl may feel bored or isolated. Lonely dogs often howl, but some do it just for fun.
Olfactory Communication
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, and they use this to communicate with other dogs. Pheremones are produced in a dog’s urine, which tells other dogs who they are. This is the reason for marking behaviour; when dogs pee on things it leaves behind a wealth of information for the next dog to pass that spot.
Well-socialized dogs will greet each other by sniffing each other’s behinds. This is polite behaviour in the canine world and the way dogs get information about the other dog. Once they have had a sniff, they know all about them.
Conclusion
Body language plays a key role in how dogs talk to and communicate with one another. They can also communicate verbally and through their olfactory system. Some forms of communication will differ between individual dogs, but there are commonalities among all of them. Understanding these can help us understand what dogs are trying to say.
