Do you speak fluent dog?

You love your dog, and it seems sometimes you can read each other’s minds but can you speak fluent dog? Spot wags his tail when he’s happy; gives you that cute smile when he’s showing off, and rolls over to ask for a nice belly rub. He comes when he’s called, sits for treats, and knows when it’s bedtime and he needs to head for the crate, or if he’s really lucky, jump on your bed for a night of snoozing.

In fact, you know each other so well that you don’t even have to think about his actions or reactions. You’re just perfect for each other. Fluent Dog.

However, when you and Spot are out taking a stroll, and meet up with another dog walking her human, or perhaps a dog running loose, either supervised or not, do you know how to read their dog language? The following are some tips to help you understand the situation you and Spot may be in when you come face to face with another dog.

Tips on how to speak fluent dog:

Tail Wagging.

A wagging tail is often associated with a happy, friendly dog. This is not always the case. You should look for other signs to determine whether you’re faced with an aggressive dog or an overeager love-bug. If the body doesn’t move with the tail, and it is wagging slowly, be wary. Other signs that the dog is fearful and may become aggressive is if he shows the whites of his eyes, keeps a closed mouth, and stares directly at your dog or you. There may be snarling or growling, or the dog may be silent.

Raised Hackles.

We often think a dog with its hair raised along its back is aggressive, angry, and ready to attack. While this can be a sign of a nervous or aggressive dog, raised hackles, also called piloerection, may also indicate a canine who wants to play, and is excited to find a buddy. Watch for other signs that indicate its intentions – the tail, the eyes, the mouth. A dog looking for fun may do a play bow, laying front paws on the ground with its rear up and usually wagging its tail. Submissive dogs that meet up with dominant dogs may roll over, showing belly and avoiding eye contact. Fluent dog.

Facial Movements.

Dogs who show their teeth may be threatening aggression, or they might be signaling their submissiveness. Some fearful dogs display a submissive smile, with ears pinned back, and mouth open to show teeth. Aggressive dogs also show their teeth, usually with snarling, their heads will push forward and ears will be pointed.

These are just a few indicators to watch for when you and your dog are faced with strange canines. Look at more than one behavior to determine if you’re in a threatening situation. If you do feel like you and your dog are in danger of being attacked, try to get away, moving slowly and avoiding eye contact with the dog. If the dog’s owner is in sight, call to her and ask her to put the dog on its leash.

Should a fight ensue, don’t try to intercede by pulling the two apart – this might be your first instinctive move but you may sustain serious injuries from biting and clawing. You should first try to surprise and shock the dogs, either by making a loud noise, spraying them with water, or using other means to distract them. Fluent dog. 

With a few simple precautions you can continue to enjoy walks, and you and your dog can make new friends along the way. If you need help making sure your best friend gets the exercise he needs, let the professional pet care team at Daily Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters of Fort Lauderdale help. They have the experience and training that will keep your pet happy, healthy, and safe.

Here are a few links for more information on reading pet behavior from the ASPCA and The Jersey Journal: