ann21 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) A while ago there was a topic posted with a link to a video of a child manhandling a Rottweiler and it got me thinking- I could probably do better in reading my dog's body language (and others of course!) Some of the signs of stress or aggression in dogs are obvious to me (e.g. stiff tail or posture) but I am sure I miss the not so obvious signs sometimes, especially during a quick meet and greet when I am out for walks. Does any one have any good articles, books or videos to share? Edited January 3, 2013 by ann21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weasels Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) This one is a classic > On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals Edit - I posted this video last year, but here's a link to an article and video on how to tell if a dog wants to be patted - http://eileenanddogs.com/2012/08/29/does-your-dog-really-want-to-be-petted/ Edited January 3, 2013 by TheLBD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayla1 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 There is also Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff. It has lots of pics which is useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Dog Decoder-The essential guide to understanding your dogs behaviour.by David Alderton.,,Has lots of great dog pictures,easy to read and would appeal to children as well as adults. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Patricia mcconnell, 'for the love of a dog'.. I'm on my phone and can't quite remember if that's the exact title, but it's something like that. I second 'on talking terms with dogs' too. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noelle Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 The book, "What's Your Dog Telling You? By Martin McKenna. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajtek Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Patricia mcconnell, 'for the love of a dog'.. I'm on my phone and can't quite remember if that's the exact title, but it's something like that. I second 'on talking terms with dogs' too. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 Yes, Yes to both!! Patricia McConnell also has videos that are fab! Well worth watching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 speaking of dog body language I'd be interested to hear others opinions on this photograph. I assume it's a file photo of a so called savage dog. It looks to me though that the dog is either smiling, or has been taught to "snarl" on command. It looks like it's waiting for a treat or reward to me. A few others agreed with me, what do you think? http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/boy-in-hospital-after-dog-attack/1688995/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alkhe Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I agree, it looks quite relaxed rather than a fearful or aggressive, back off type snarl. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Well, I'm far from an expert LOL, but I would have thought if the dog was snarling, the top lip would be much higher up and showing his gums. His ears are relaxed, but thinking that made me realise I don't have much of an idea what ears are doing if a dog if a dog is in full snarling mode. The photo also reminded me of "the Dally Smile". There doesn't seem to be any tension in the dog, not that we have the full dog in the photo. Very interesting. Another vote for Turid Rugaas' On Talking Terms with Dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytmate Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 speaking of dog body language I'd be interested to hear others opinions on this photograph. I assume it's a file photo of a so called savage dog. It looks to me though that the dog is either smiling, or has been taught to "snarl" on command. It looks like it's waiting for a treat or reward to me. A few others agreed with me, what do you think? http://www.sunshinec...attack/1688995/ I think it looks like the start of an aggressive snarl rather than being a smile. You can tell by the base of the whiskers that the lips are going up, where as in the smile type snarls, the lips tend to be drawn backwards. I don't think the dog is fully fired up though. Maybe it was just barking. It looks like it may have been photoshopped onto that background as the dog is not properly in focus as you would expect from a studio shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ann21 Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks guys I managed to find a PDF version of 'on talking terms with dogs' and checked out the 'does your dog really want to be petted' video- both very interesting! Will try to sharpen my observation skills from now on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perfect partners Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 A while ago there was a topic posted with a link to a video of a child manhandling a Rottweiler and it got me thinking- I could probably do better in reading my dog's body language (and others of course!) Some of the signs of stress or aggression in dogs are obvious to me (e.g. stiff tail or posture) but I am sure I miss the not so obvious signs sometimes, especially during a quick meet and greet when I am out for walks. Does any one have any good articles, books or videos to share? 'On Talking Terms with Dogs' and also 'The Language of Dogs', Sarah Kalnajs - 2 DVD set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 speaking of dog body language I'd be interested to hear others opinions on this photograph. I assume it's a file photo of a so called savage dog. It looks to me though that the dog is either smiling, or has been taught to "snarl" on command. It looks like it's waiting for a treat or reward to me. A few others agreed with me, what do you think? http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/boy-in-hospital-after-dog-attack/1688995/ I wish I had the photos to show you but our old Dobe used to do that on command - we would say smile Dylan and he would pull his lips back over his teeth. He also used to do it if you said, show us your teefs.. To me, there doesn't appear to be aggression in his eyes at all - he is just looking at someone or something.. God I hate the media.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mochi Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 Edit - I posted this video last year, but here's a link to an article and video on how to tell if a dog wants to be patted - http://eileenanddogs.com/2012/08/29/does-your-dog-really-want-to-be-petted/ Thanks for this! It is great. Someone in the comments there also linked to a German video which I also found very informative. I love these videos that show the interaction and then replay it, highlighting the body language in slow motion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 I wish I had the photos to show you but our old Dobe used to do that on command - we would say smile Dylan and he would pull his lips back over his teeth. He also used to do it if you said, show us your teefs.. To me, there doesn't appear to be aggression in his eyes at all - he is just looking at someone or something.. God I hate the media.. Agree with all that, Staffyluv - including comment re media Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murve Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 There is also Jan Fennell, a lot of what she does I have been doing for years, I also have 2 of her books very interesting reading :D http://www.janfennellthedoglistener.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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