Lesley Scoble-Ash
Signs your dog is happy, or not
I realised early in my dog-walking career (an amazing two years ago! Is it really that long?!) that I would have to learn to read the behaviour of my canine charges to allow me to relax and enjoy my time with them. I’ve always loved animals and have tried to understand why they act in the way they do, and as a dog walker I’ve got a real practical need to do so.
The world that opens up to you is an amazing one. It’s one of strong emotions, clear social rules and real joy when a dog finds a place in a social group.
Everyone knows that a dog wagging its tail is happy – but this doesn’t apply in all circumstances. Slow wagging might mean that the dog is concentrating, or wagging more to one side might mean they are a little unsure.
A tail that is wagging very low might indicate fear or worry – and a tail under the body is a clear sign of unhappiness. But a dog with a fast wagging tail, head up and ears pricked is almost definitely cock-a-hoop about something.
A dog that is repeatedly licking its nose or yawning may be nervous and unsure about another dog or the position it finds itself in – try licking you lips or yawning back at them to reassure them.
This last bit of information has been more useful to me than any other: it’s a subtle sign that could be easy to miss, but it means that I can spot when a dog is unsure and reassure them. This is especially important when introducing a new dog to a group: I can be aware what dogs make them nervous and can step in as ‘pack leader’ to reassure them and let the other dogs in the pack know that I want them accepted.
If a dog shows their teeth, do look twice, they might not be aggressive: if the dog is showing ALL their teeth and isn’t wrinkling their nose they may be anxious or wanting to show submission – it’s known as the ‘submission grin’. Look at the rest of their posture: if they are showing submissive body language whilst showing their teeth they are probably worried.
I find the way dogs communicate with each other and people absolutely fascinating – and it helps me to keep better control and have fun with the dogs in my care.
First published December 2013 By The Dart
