Dog communication

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Dog communication is the transfer of information between dogs, as well as the transfer of information between dogs and humans. Behavior associated with dog communication includes eye sight, facial expression, vocalization, posture (including body movement and limb) and gustatory communication (aroma, pheromone and taste). Humans communicate with dogs using vocalizations, hand signals, posture and touch.

Video Dog communication

Communication dog-man

Both humans and dogs are characterized by complex social life with rich communication systems, but it is also possible that dogs, perhaps because of their dependence on humans for food, have developed a special skill to recognize and interpret socio-communicative signals of humans. Four basic hypotheses have been proposed to explain the findings.

1. Dogs, through their interaction with humans, learn to respond to human social cues through a basic conditioning process.
2. By undergoing domestication, dogs not only reduce their fears to humans, but also apply problem-solving skills to all their interaction goals with people. This innate gift for reading human social movements was inadvertently chosen to pass through domestication.
3. Co-evolution of dogs with humans equips them with cognitive machinery to not only respond to human social cues but also to understand the mental state of man; what is called the theory of mind.
4. Dogs are adaptive tend to learn about human communicative movements. In essence they come with a "head start" built-in to study the significance of the movement of people, in the same way as the white-headed sparrows get their distinctive species song and duck imprint on their own kind.

The pointing movement is a special human signal, is referential in its nature, and is the basic building blocks of human communication. The human baby gets it for weeks before the first word is spoken. In 2009, a study compared responses to various movements pointed by dogs and human infants. This study shows little difference in the performance of children and dogs 2 years, while the performance of children aged 3 years is higher. The results also show that all subjects were able to generalize from their previous experience to respond to relatively new pointing motions. These findings suggest that dogs show the same level of performance as 2-year-olds who can be described as a common result of their evolutionary history as well as their socialization in the human environment.

One study shows that dogs can know how much other dogs just by listening to his growl. Specific roots are used by dogs to protect their food. This study also shows that dogs do not, or can not, misrepresent their size, and this is the first time research that shows that animals can determine other sizes with the sound they produce. The test, using images of different types of dogs, shows a small and large dog and plays a growl. The results showed that 20 of the 24 test dogs saw the right-sized dog image in advance and looked at it for the longest time.

Depending on the context, dog barks can vary in time, pitch, and amplitude. It is possible that this has a different meaning.

In addition, most people can tell from the bark whether the dog is itself or approached by a stranger, playing or being aggressive, and being able to tell by the growling how big the dog is. This is considered evidence of human-dog evolution.

Maps Dog communication

Visual

Dogs that communicate emotions through body positioning are illustrated in Charles Darwin entitled "Expressions of Emotion in Humans and Animals" published in 1872.

• Example of body positioning to communicate different emotions in dogs.

In his book In Speaking Terms with Dogs , Turid Rugaas identifies about 30 signals he calls a calming signal. The idea of ​​domination and submission is much debated. In his book, he does not use these terms to distinguish behavior. He describes a calming signal as a way for dogs to calm themselves or other humans/dogs around them. These are some of the signals he identifies:

Shape of mouth

• The mouth is relaxed and slightly open; tongue may be slightly visible or draped in the lower teeth - this is a sign of content and dogs are relaxed.
• Mouth closed, no teeth or tongue visible. Usually associated with dogs that look in one direction, and the ears and head may be slightly inclined forward - this shows attention, interest, assessing the situation.
• Curling or pulling lips to expose teeth and possibly gums - is a warning signal that indicates a weapon (tooth), the other party has time to back off, leave or show a pacifying motion.
• The mouth is elongated as if pulled back, stretching the opening of the mouth and therefore showing the back teeth - indicating the obedient dog that produces the dominant dog threat.
• "Smiling" is also known as a calming signal.

Head position

• The dominant or threatening dog who looks directly at another individual - this is a threat, he directs his weapon (muzzle/teeth) on them.
• Dominant dogs turn their heads to one side of obedient dogs - this calms them down, indicating that he will not attack.
• A less dominant dog approaches a dominant dog with a bowed head, and only occasionally directs its snout to a dog with a higher status - does not indicate the intended fights.
• In an alternative interpretation that does not involve domination and surrender, turning the head is recognized as a calming signal.

Yawn

A dog yawns - just like a human, a dog will yawn when tired to help wake him up. Also, a dog will evaporate when it is depressed, or while being threatened by signals of aggression from other dogs when it can be used as a calming signal but not a submissive signal. Humans and dogs can alleviate aggressive situations by turning their heads and yawning. This is also recognized as a calming signal.

Licking and sniffing

Licking behavior can mean different things depending on the context and should not be interpreted only as affection. Dogs familiar to each other may lick each other's faces to say hello, then they start sniffing the moist membrane where the strongest smells are the mouth, nose, anal area and urogenital area. This greeting and identification can turn into licking as well. For married behavior, this is done more diligently than when greeting each other. Licking can communicate information about dominance, intentions and state of mind, and like yawning is a soothing behavior. All soothing behaviors contain the puppy's behavioral elements, including licking. The puppies lick themselves and their friends as part of the cleaning process, and seem to build a bond. Later, licking is no longer a cleansing function and forms a ritualistic movement that demonstrates hospitality. When stressed, the dog may lick the air, his own lips, or drop and lick his legs or body. Lip-licking and sniffing are also known as calming signals.

Ear

• The ears are upright or slightly forward - considerate or alert.
• The ears are pulled back to the head, teeth fenced - an anxious dog that will defend itself.
• The ears are pulled back to the head, the teeth are not on display - submission.
• The ears are attracted slightly backward and slightly outstretched - insecurity: uncomfortable suspicions, can rapidly turn into aggression.
• The ears flicker, slightly forward and slightly backward or downward - indecision: more submissive or frightening components.
• The ears are drawn close to the head to give a "round face" also known as a soothing signal.

Eyes

• Direct eye-to-eye gaze - threat, expression of domination, or warning that an attack will begin soon.
• A direct eye-to-eye gaze at the dinner table, followed by a direct look at the dog-food that wants food.
• Eyes turned to avoid direct eye contact - disconnect eye contact signals; it's also known as a soothing signal.
• Blinking is also known as a calming signal.

Tail

• Horizontal tail, away from the dog but not rigid - attention.
• The tail is horizontally straight, stiff, and pointed away from the dog - the initial challenge, can lead to aggression.
• Tails, between horizontal and vertical positions - dominant dog.
• Tails and slightly curved back - confident, dominant dog who feels in control.
• The tail holds lower than the horizontal but is still a bit away from the foot, perhaps by occasionally swinging back and forth - no matter, the dog is relaxed.
• The tail down, near the back foot, straight legs, the tail swings back and forth slowly - the feeling of a dog is not feeling well, slightly depressed or moderate pain.
• Tail down, near the hind legs, back legs bent inside to lower body - fear, fear, insecurity.
• The tail is tucked between the legs - fear, can also be a soothing signal that is inaugurated to fend off other dog aggression.
• Tail fast wagging - excitement.
• A little tail, every swing is just a small size - a greeting.
• The sword is wide - friendly.
• Broad tail wag, with wide swings pulling hips from side to side - special congratulations for someone special.
• Slow tail bats with half-masted tails - not sure what to do next, unsafe.
• Tail wagging is also known as a soothing signal.

Dogs are said to show left-tailed asymmetry of the tail when interacting with strangers, and will show the opposite, right-left movements with people and dogs they know.

Body

• Rigid, erect or slow stiffness of the foot - a dominant dog.
• The body is slightly tilted forward, standing feet - challenging the dominant dog, conflicts may follow.
• Hair fur on the back of the shoulder - the possibility of aggression, may also indicate fear and uncertainty.
• Lose down or frown while looking up - submission.
• Nudge muzzle - occurs when a dog obediently gently pushes the dominant dog's muzzle, indicating acceptance.
• The dog sits when approached by someone else, letting himself be sniffed - a signal of acceptance of domination but not a sign of weakness.
• The dog rolls on the sides or exposes the stomach and completely severes eye contact - a security signal or extreme shipment.
• The dog sitting with one front leg slightly raised - stress, social fear, and insecurity. This is also known as a soothing signal.
• Dog rolls on his back and rubs his shoulders to the ground - satisfaction.
• The dog leans forward with its outstretched front legs, back body and tail up, facing his playmate directly - the classic "bow arc" to start the game. This is also known as a soothing signal.

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Auditory

A common long distance contact in Canidae, usually in the form of either barks (called "pulse trains") or howls (called "long acoustic flow"). Howls long distance wolves and coyotes is how dogs communicate.

At the age of four weeks, the dog has developed most of the vocalizations. The dog is the most vocal and unique canine in its tendency to bark in various situations. Barking seems to have fewer communication functions than excitement, fights, human presence, or just because other dogs bark. Subtler signs such as body movements and faces silently, body odor, whining, twisting, and growling are the main sources of real communication. The majority of these fine communication techniques are used near the others, but for long distance communication only barking and howling is used.

Barks

• Bite quickly 3 or 4 with pause in between, medium distance call - warns, dog feels something but has not been defined as a threat.
• Fast bob, midrange pitch - basic alarm skin.
• Barking continuously but a little more slowly and lower - immediate threat, ready to defend.
• A prolonged barking, with moderate to long intervals between each - lonely, requires friendship, often displayed when limited.
• One or two short or sharp midrange barks - distinctive greeting sounds, usually replace the alarm skin when the visitor is recognized as friendly.
• Sharp single short skin, lower midrange pitch - disorder, used by dog ​​mothers who discipline their puppies or by dogs who are disturbed from sleep.
• Single short skin, higher midrange tone - surprised or shocked.
• Stutter skin, midrange pitch - used to start playback.
• Skin riding - showing fun, used while playing or when the owner will throw objects.

Gripping

• A slow, slow knot that appears to come from the chest - used as a threat by a dominant dog.
• Soft, not-so-subdued softness to get out of the mouth - stay away
• Low growl-bark - a growl that leads to the skin is a threat and calls for help.
• Stem rolls with higher midrange - high notes mean less confidence, fear but will defend itself.
• Undulating growl, going from the midrange to the midrange is high - the dog is frightened, he will defend himself or escape.
• Noise, medium and high notes, with hidden teeth from view - a strong concentration, can be found while playing-aggression, but you need to look at all body language to be sure.

Howls

• Yip-howl - lonely, requires companionship.
• Howling - showing the dog is there, or indicating that this is its territory.
• Bark-howl, 2-3 barks followed by a relatively isolated, relentlessly locked wail, locked without friendship, soliciting company or response from other dogs.
• Baying - can be heard during tracking to call a package friend to quarry.

Whines and Whines and Whines

Swings and whines short, high-pitched sounds designed to bring listeners closer to showing fear or submission on behalf of the grunt or whimperer. It is also a dog made sound as a soothing and demanding voice.

• Soft whining and whining - hurt or scared.
• Moan or moan-yodel, lower than whining or whining - a spontaneous pleasure or excitement.
• Single loop or high-pitched skin - sudden and unpredictable response to a painful playing bite.
• Complaints of complaint - severe fear or pain.

Scream

A yelp for a few seconds in length is like a human child, then repeated - sadness or pain, calls to a friend a relief package, seldom heard.

Panting

Panting is an attempt to regulate body temperature. Joy can increase body temperature in humans and dogs. Although not a deliberate communication, if dog pants are fast but not exposed to warm conditions then this signal of excitement due to stress.

Sighs

Sighs is an expression of emotion, usually when the dog is lying with head on the claw. When the half-closed eyes indicate pleasure and satisfaction. When the eyes are fully open, it signals displeasure, something the dog hopes does not happen, often associated with the dining table and food that is not expected to be distributed to the dog.

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olfactory

Dogs have a sense of smell 40 times more sensitive than humans and they start their lives almost exclusively on smells and touches. The special scent that dogs use for communication is called pheromones. Different hormones are secreted when the dog is angry, scared or confident, and some chemical signatures identify the sex and age of the dog, and if a woman is in the estrous cycle, pregnant or just giving birth. Many pheromone chemicals can be found soluble in the urine of dogs, and sniffing where other dogs urinate gives the dog much information about the dog. Male dogs prefer to mark the vertical surface with urine and have a higher scent allowing air to carry it further away. The altitude mark tells the other dogs about the size of the dog, because the size of the dog is an important factor in dominance. Dogs (and wolves) not only use urine but also their excrement to mark their territory. The anal glands of the glands provide a special marker for dirt deposits and identify the markers as well as the places where the debris is left. Low altitude levels can be searched, such as rocks or fallen branches, to help spread the scent. Scratching the ground after a bowel movement is a visual sign that points to a scent sign.

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References

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External links

• Pet Conduct articles from ASPCA
• Why do dogs lick? (Infographics)

Source of the article : Wikipedia