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ASPCA Canine Body Language Handouts PDF | Canine Connoisseur Relationship-based Dog Training | Marion, Indiana

ASPCA Canine Body Language Handouts PDF | Canine Connoisseur Relationship-based Dog Training

ASPCA Canine Body Language | Canine Connoisseur

Purdue University Canine Body Language Handouts PDF | Canine Connoisseur Relationship-based Dog Training

Ripley and The Doggie Language Book by Lili Chin

Dog Park Body Language

If you decide to visit a dog park, it is important to be able to read the body language of your dog and the other dogs present. The ideal body language is playful, but dogs will exhibit a variety of behaviors as they contact new dogs and spend more time at the park. Overall you are looking for balanced play between dogs – sometimes one is on top and next time he’s on the bottom. Sometimes he’s the chaser, and next he will be the chased.

It’s always wise to leave the park if your pet shows signs of tiredness, stress or fear or if there are dogs present who seem threatening. I personally don't recommend dog parks, most are filled with poorly behaved dogs and owners usually on their phones, distracted. However, there are some good ones out there and it can be a good way for you and your dog to make some friends or you can go to dog parks just to work your obedience and engagement around other dogs, or even work on reactivity outside of the park!

Playful actions to watch for:

Back and forth play – dogs change position – role reversals

Bouncy, exaggerated gestures

Wiggly bodies

Open relaxed mouth

Play-bows

Twisted leaps or jumps

Pawing the air

Signs of Anxiety/Stress to Monitor:

Fast wagging low tail

Whining or whimpering

Ears pinned back

Hiding behind objects or people

Signs of Fear:

Dog will try to look small

Tail tucked Hunched over, head down

Tense

May urinate submissively

Red Flags that Require Intervention:

Excessive mounting

Pinning (holding another dog down and standing stiffly over them)

Shadowing another dog (following) incessantly

Bullying: repeatedly bothering another dog that does not want to interact

Fast non-stop running with a group – high arousal situation

Full-speed body slams

Putting head repeatedly onto another dog’s neck or back

Staring with a fixed gaze directly at another dog

Snarling or raised lips

Showing teeth

Hackles up at the shoulders

Signs of Potential Illness - While not necessarily related to behavior, you will want to remove your dog from a park where dogs are showing the following symptoms:

Coughing or gagging

Vomiting

Sneezing

Diarrhea

In theory, dog parks are a wonderful way for dogs to socialize with other friendly dogs. It is important that owners who frequent dog parks know the limitations of their pets and act accordingly to keep playgroups interacting in a safe and responsible manner.

Resources

Video on Warning Signs of a Bite from trainer Michael Burkey’s web site

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLrgtR9U6Z8

“Canine Body Language” from the ASPCA Virtual Behaviorist web site

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care

Episode 157: Dog Body Language: Understanding Canine Communication Signals And Emotions

https://dogsthat.com/podcast/157/

https://apdt.com/resource-center/dog-park-body-language/