Canine Communication

13/10/2014 Alasdair Bunyan
Assistant Head of Behaviour & Training
All knowledge, the totality of all
questions and answers, is contained in
the dog.
–
Franz Kafka
What is Communication?
–
“Language is behaviour in that it
communicates intention, emotion and
affects others’ behaviours”.
(Ramirez, 1999, p. 536).
Communication occurs when one
animal’s behaviour can be shown to
have an effect on the behaviour of
another’. (Dawkins, 1995, p. 73).
1 13/10/2014 How Many Signals Can You Identify?
What Affects Behaviour?
–
Behaviour is specific to each individual and is
dependent on:
•  Breed (looks vs. temperament)
•  Past experiences
•  Early socialising
Breed or Nationality?
–
2 13/10/2014 FAP - Stalk
–
Canine Communication
–
I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures
we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better.
– George Bird Evans
3 13/10/2014 Learning the Language
(Logan, 1970)
–
•  Genetic component
•  Physically equipped to communicate but it is
learning that nurtures the ability to communicate
effectively.
Canine Communication
–
•  Non verbal
•  Wide variety of signals
•  dog vs wild canid
•  Three Main Systems
•  Visual
•  Vocal
•  Olfactory
Visual Communication
4 13/10/2014 Observable Visual Communication
–
• 
Body position & movement
• 
Mouth, lips, nose
• 
Ears = erect, flat
• 
Eyes = dilated pupils, fixed, whale eye
• 
Tail = slow, fast, high, low
• 
Body = erect, forward, low, heightened
WHOLE BODY MUST BE OBSERVED AND READ AS A WHOLE
Always Look at the Dog’s
Whole Body.
–
Body Position
–
•  Erect, heightened, forward
= agonistic, confident.
•  Small, crouched, lean back
= anxious, fearful,
submissive, appeasing
5 13/10/2014 The Mouth
–
•  Visible teeth
•  Shape of the commissure
(forward vs back)
•  Open or closed
•  Tense or relaxed
Ears (Pricked v Floppy)
–
•  Slightly forward, erect = interest
•  Flat, laid back = submission, anxious, fear, non
threatening.
•  Pushed forward, erect = offensive, aggression.
•  Aeroplane – stress, fear
•  Flicking = conflict, uncertainty
Eyes
Pupil dilation
–
•  Size will reflect intensity, dynamic change – more information
• 
• 
Simple widening = pleasure
Contraction then widening = fear, aggression, arousal
Eye shape
•  Wide, rounded = threat, aggression
•  Narrow, closed = fear, avoidance, submission, appeasement.
Direction of gaze
•  Direct eye contact = threat, confident
•  Look away = avoidance, submission, appeasement
Eye brows
•  Contracted, angled down = anger, aggression
6 13/10/2014 Which Is Easier To Read?
–
Or
–
Vocal Communication
7 13/10/2014 Types of Vocal Communication
•  Bark
–
•  Growl
•  Howl
•  Whines, whimpers
•  Pant
•  Sneeze
Sneeze
–
Howl
–
8 13/10/2014 Vocal Communication
–
Pitch
•  Low = threat, aggressive intent
•  High = little threat, pain, frustration
Duration
•  Short = high intensity, frustration
•  Long = conscious, definite
Repetition
•  Fast frequency = excitement, urgency
•  Spaced out, not repeated = lower level.
Olfactory Communication
Canine Olfaction
–
•  30x bigger membrane
than humans.
•  100 - 300x as many
scent neurons
•  Breed variation
9 13/10/2014 Secretion
–
•  Any body secretion is a potential route
•  Specialised glands in the skin and mucus membranes
• 
• 
• 
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Anal glands
Supra-caudal glands
Peri-oral glands
Podal glands
Mammary region
Common Causes of
Stress & Arousal
–
What May Cause/Influence
Stress and Increased Aggression?
–
•  Genetics (higher reactivity/redirection. Working vs show)
•  Inappropriate human/dog body language, approach.
•  Lack of understanding of canine body language.
•  Inadequate environment, social or physical.
•  Inappropriate punishment
•  Routine?????
•  Stressor stacking
10 13/10/2014 (Shepherd, 2009)
Understanding Stacking
–
•  Possible cause of dog bites in Rescue Centre's, vets
and in the home?
•  Single incidents do not generally cause a problem
•  Grouping effect
Trigger Stacking
3rd Delivery
Threshold
2nd Delivery
1st Delivery
11 13/10/2014 Stress in Dogs
–
•  It is important to note signs of potential stress
•  Stress will change from second to second, stay alert.
Appropriate Interaction
Procedures
–
s  DO NOT crouch down in front of any dog.
•  Adopt a non-threatening posture, do not stare at the dog.
•  Remain calm and watchful at all times.
•  Try to remain aware at all times, be aware of predictability
(routine, same time) and potential.
•  Defend yourself but resist being aggressive yourself. Try
not to SCREAM, SHOUT OR RUN.
Whenever dealing with a
potentially reactive dog try
to remain calm and
confident, but never
CONFRONTATIONAL
12 13/10/2014 Potential Signs of Stress &
Arousal
–
“Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”
Orhan Pamuk
Yawning
–
Lip Licking
–
(Handleman, 2008)
13 13/10/2014 Ears Flattened, Flicking,
Dilated Pupils
–
(Handleman, 2008)
Little or Slow Movement
–
Noise Phobic
–
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Increased Breathing
Trembling
Stiff Posture
Pacing
Unsettled
Food Refusal
14 13/10/2014 Muscle Ridges Round Eyes/
Mouth
–
(Wilde, 2013)
Pacing, Unsettled, Food
Refusal
–
Piloerection
–
15 13/10/2014 T for Two
–
(Wilde, 2013)
Others
–
•  Excessive salivation
•  Sweaty pads
•  Teeth chattering
•  Excessive Shedding
16 13/10/2014 Calming & Cut Off
Signals
–
Calming & Cut Off Signals
–
•  Used to suppress potential aggressive behaviour
from others.
•  Mostly shown during greetings
•  May suggest a lack of confidence.
•  May indicate a desire for an increase in distance.
Yawn, Look Away, Lip Lick
–
17 13/10/2014 Paw Raise
–
(Handleman, 2008)
Slow Blink
–
Cut Off Signals in Action
–
18 13/10/2014 Distance Increasing
Signals
–
I Just Want to Be Alone
Distance Increasing Signals
–
•  Signals that are shown to indicate a desire for
individuals to back off.
•  Normally some agonistic behaviours is present.
•  Move away as soon as these signals are shown to
stop an escalation of behaviours
•  Never punish a dog for showing these signals
Distance Increasing Signals
–
•  Tense body/face
•  Lowering of Posture
•  Freeze
•  Muzzle Punch
•  Distance Increasing
Bark
•  Hard Eyes
•  Growl, low
•  Height Seeking
19 13/10/2014 Stillness & Freeze
–
(Kalnajs, 2008)
Lowering of Posture
–
(Handleman, 2008)
Heightened Posture or Height
Seeking
–
(Handleman, 2008)
20 13/10/2014 Whale Eye
–
Tooth Display, Hard Eyes
–
(Handleman, 2008)
Tongue Flicking
–
21 13/10/2014 Tongue Tucked Back
–
Roll Over vs Tap Out
–
22 13/10/2014 Tap Out
–
Trust & Relationship
–
Distance Decreasing
Signals
–
Come On In
23 13/10/2014 Distance Decreasing Signals
–
•  Play Bows
•  Vocalisation
•  Olfactory
•  Muzzle Nudge
•  Soft Eyes
•  Hip Nudge
Tail Positions
–
From Flags to Wags
Tail
–
•  Position (breed dependant)
•  Contrasting Colours (Rot)
•  Docked (England, Wales)
•  Movement
•  Speed - Slow vs Fast
24 13/10/2014 Tail Positions
–
•  Tail flag
•  Tucked
•  High
•  Straight
•  Side to side
•  Helicopter
Displacement Behaviours
–
Control - Alt - Delete
Displacement Behaviours
–
•  Out of context mounting
•  Marking
•  Stretching
•  Yawning
•  Shaking
•  Sniffing
•  Look Aways
25 13/10/2014 Body Shake Offs
–
Conflict & Uncertainty
–
Appeasement & Conflict
–
26 13/10/2014 Now - how many signals?
–
80
References & Video
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Coppinger, R., & Coppinger, L. (2004). Dogs. A new understanding of canine origin,
behaviour and evolution. New York: Crosskeys Select Ltd.
Dunbar, I. (1979). Dog behavior. Reigate: T.F.H. Publications Ltd
Handelman, B. (2008). Canine Behaviour - A Photo Illustrated Guide. Wenatchee: Dogwise.
Kalnajs, S. (Writer), Tawzer Dogs (Director). (2008). The Language of Dogs [DVD].
Miklosi, A. (2009). Dog behaviour, evolution and cognition. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Scott, J. P., & Fuller, J. L. (1974). Genetics and social behavior of the dog. London: Chicago
Press.
(Shepherd, K 2009. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behaviour, 2nd edition.pages 13
- 16. Editors Debra F. Horwitz and Daniel S. Mills).
Wilde, N. (Writer), Tawzer Dogs (Director). (2013) Talk to the paw. [DVD].
Yinn, S. (2009). Low stress handling restraint and behaviour modification for dogs and cats.
Davis: Cattle Dog Publishing.
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