How to recognize the physical signs that a dog is stressed, fearful, or aggressive.

Hound Bytes: Learn to recognize the physical signs that a dog is stressed, fearful, or aggressive. Dogs will always tell you who they are --Believe them!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dogs to observe (go to dog parks, obedience classes, or a vet's office waiting room)

1. THE MOUTH Panting: Heat panting is slower and rhythmic, the tongue is wide and loose. Dog sometimes appears to “grin”, may show signs of active, playful behavior. Stress panting is arrhythmic (irregular) and the tongue is tense, often curled upward. Dog may be still or "frozen if very fearful. Licking : A quick flick of the tongue on the nose is a “calming signal.” Dogs use it when they perceive an uncomfortable or unpleasant situation and wish to avoid or diffuse a real or anticipated threat from human or dog. If the calming signals seem to be combined with other signs of stress, the dog should be removed from situation. Obsessive licking of self, people, or inanimate objects (especially rough textures like carpet) is most common in dogs that are ridden with anxieties. Often seen in dogs with storm phobia, sound sensitivity, or OCD behaviors such as circling or tail-chasing. These dogs sometimes display unpredictable aggression. Yawning: Indicates the dog’s need for you to decrease your eye contact, lower your profile in approach (distance or body language), lower your voice or give them a short break in their training.
2. THE FACE AND EYES— (tie back long hair from eyes) Vertical frown wrinkles between the eyes -- (unless it is a Basenji, Bloodhound, Sharpei, or related breed) is indicative of tension – often paired with overall body “stillness" or "freezing". “Bumble Bee Eyes” - cannot focus on anything for any length of time. Often seen with stress panting, and avoidance behaviors. Cuts eyes toward you, head still, the sclera is visible. Usually seen in a very tense dog, paired with overall “stillness,” sometimes these dogs will freeze before exploding. Stillness is often the most missed sign before a display of aggression. Eyes shiny/”glassy” or red sclera, usually means the dog is pumping adrenaline and highly aroused or stimulated. Dog is apt to be made easily active or reactive.
3. NECK and HACKLES: Arched, tense neck is usually a sign of impending action from the dog. It almost always means the dog will move forward – not backward. Hackles anywhere from the withers/shoulders all the way down to the tail mean some form of anger according to Charles Darwin. Anger or conflict can be coupled with fear, and piloerection (hair raised) can be seen at times mixed with conflicting communication such as “play bowing” or submissive ear folding, urination or flopping down belly-up. This is often seen in puppies who are uncomfortable with social dominance and may later be offensively aggressive to other dogs or people.
4. TAIL Wagging only means intent to interact. Tail below the topline usually means passive behaviors, tail tucked over rectum can mean fear to the point of reactive behavior. OVERALL POSTURE Some dogs may exhibit some of each behavior, look for an overall attitude using these guidelines: Confident, assertive dog: Tail arched over back, legs set wide, ears forward, neck arched, body pulled forward. Less confident to fearful dog: Tail lowered or tucked, back muscles tense, loin arched, feet closely spaced, ears back and down, neck retracted.
5. MASCULINE BITCHES While neutering will help reduce some aggressive behaviors in males, spaying does not usually change a female’s behavior. Many females can actually be producing too much testosterone, and assume a masculine appearance which leads to sometimes heightened aggression to other dogs, and territorial aggression. These females are recognized by: thick necks, broader head and larger than normal for breed-type. These females may even exhibit flirtatious posturing to other females and show aggression to males, marking/leg lifting,

Tips & Warnings

• To learn more about dog behavior and recognizing the early warning signs visit www.FullCircleObedience.com, or call us at [phone].
• Also visit www.suesternberg.com for excellent information