What took you so long!!

Less than 20 years ago a number of books were published on the subject of body language. These books were to bring peoples attention to the science of kinesics, more commonly known as body language.

Those of us who have spent our lives working with animals met these revelations with mild amusement and the general agreement was that we and our predecessors had been doing this with animals for as long as we can recall.

Ray L Birdwhistell, (1918-1984) an American anthropologist, was the pioneer of the study of body language in humans and coined the phrase kinesics meaning facial expressions, gestures, posture and gait plus visible arm and body movements. He estimated that up to 70% of communication was transferred by some form of body language.

All sorts of individuals and organisations use this including law enforcement, employment agencies, businesses and…. Pet Owners!!

Yes, pet owners were doing it long before anyone published a book on the subject.

When it comes to animals even the most ill-informed pet owner knows that certain postures signify certain behaviour patterns.

You don’t need to be a professional dog trainer or a behaviourist to recognise a dog’s intentions.

Why is this? Well I guess that’s because we don’t have a common language and we have had to find a way to communicate and what better than the art of kinesics. The dog in particular is a great example of this science.

Most people know when a dog raises its hackles it is a sign that it feels threatened. A wagging tail is a signal that it is happy, but do people understand the more subtle ones like facial expressions?

The real problem here is that we and our dog use the same ones but unfortunately they mean different things.

Yawning

Humans yawn when they are tired or bored, but dogs yawn when they are stressed and how many people would even notice this in their pet. There is a theory that to relax your pet you can yawn back although some say that it is catching, just as it is in humans!!

Licking lips

Obviously, dogs lick their lips in appreciation after a meal, however, it can be another sign of stress and again is often missed. If it is continual then there is a problem.

Smiling

This one can be catastrophic for a dog when it is misinterpreted.

It is the one that can lead to the dog being severely punished and sometimes being abandoned. If a dog shows it’s teeth it is NOT ALWAYS a sign of aggressive intent. Look at the body posture. Is it low and submissive? Is the tail wagging? Is there no growl or snarl? Are the eyes soft and friendly? A tiny minority of dogs do smile so please don’t react in a negative manner until you are sure.

Other signs that can signify that your pet has a problem

Excessive scratching despite the total lack of parasites or allergies

Excessive drooling despite that no mealtime is due

Excessive drinking even when it is not hot or has not been exercised

Sweaty paws

This one is not easy to spot, particularly in houses that have carpets so it is rare for anyone to notice it, however, in hotter climates ie. Greece where I live it is more noticeable as we have tiled floors. The first thing to say is that dogs cannot perspire the way we do, they have a permanent furry covering so the only way to sweat is through their feet. If you think about it, if you are are worried then your hands become clammy. The canine equivalent is sweaty paws which can occur when there is a thunderstorm or a visit to the vet.

All of these may occur singularly or together. If you don’t take the time to study your dog’s body language then you cannot be sure that you haven’t missed a significant sign that your dog is in trouble and is asking for help the only way that they know-how.

Without a doubt, however, one of the most informative areas of communication is the dog’s eyes. Many dog owners don’t take the time and trouble to really study their pets eyes and many animals suffer painful conditions in silence because of their inability to communicate their distress and this neglect on our part is unforgivable. Please, every day look into your dog’s eyes, don’t stare, just get used to their appearance so that you will be aware of any change.

The saying “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” is so correct and if you know your dog you will notice the difference in your dog’s eyes if they are distressed.