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Camera Shy Canines My dog, Szap, usually looks at the camera and moves towards me barking as if to say, "Hey, what happened to your face? Are you okay?" Other dogs I know turn their heads away like the aunt who only shows her backside to anything resembling a camera. Still, other dogs yawn, squint, blink, flick their tongues or even, raise a paw. Why? These gestures are just a few of the canine repertoire that Norwegian dog trainer, Turid Rugaas calls "calming signals". In her book, On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals, Rugaas presents a different approach to canine communication. She urges people to "respond" to their dogs because that is why they offer these "calming signals". Their intentions are to resolve conflict, prevent aggression and reduce stress. For example, when you lean over your dog to put the leash on, your dog probably turns his head. Why? In your dog’s mind, your direct approach signals a 'potential threat'. By turning his head away from you, he has signaled his 'no threat' intention. You miss it entirely! Dogs have to deal with many 'potential threat' situations daily. Somehow, dogs put up with us constantly yet unintentionally trespassing them. We go on taking pictures of them being silly. And, if you’re like me, you have lots of photos of your dogs and their friends. Look through them more closely and look for yawning, looking away, squinting, flicking the tongue, pinning the ears back, and so on. Better yet, watch for these gestures when you’re with your dog at the park, on a walk or just hanging out at home. "Talk back" to your dogs by yawning, looking away or softening your eyes while blinking and see what they "say" to you. Vera E. Wilkinson - written in for The Barking Beacon in July 2002 |