Learning how dogs communicate with each other can be a valuable tool in understanding what your dog is trying to tell you. Here is everything you need to know about this dog behavior. How Dogs Communicate With Each Other
While some pet owners may disagree, the truth is that dogs don't speak. They don't have language skills like humans. But like all other animals, dogs have been able to communicate very well with their own kind throughout history.
Domestication changed the way dogs live, but it didn't change the instincts that they inherited from their wolf ancestors in the wild. Their communication techniques survive today, and understanding them can help you relate to your dog more effectively.
Everything your dog does sends a message that she assumes you can read, and she watches everything you do to see what message you're sending her. She's reading every action and movement you make to gain understanding of her place in the world, her position in the family pack, and your temperament toward her at any one time. When your dog is happy and excited, she wags her tail. When she's calm and content, her ears are relaxed. If she's agitated or angry, she may flatten her ears and stick her tail straight out. Besides these behaviors that many of us can recognize, there are many other things being "said" with her body that even professionals may not recognize.
Dogs also communicate with each other through the use of chemicals. This could be in the form of a female dog in heat, who sends pheromones out into the environment, perking up the ears and interest of any male within scent distance. Many males also use urine, another chemical, to send a message to other males about territory and what they consider theirs.
Less important than body language, sounds like yips, growls, and barks often accompany the larger messages in your dog's body position. As a pet owner, you learn to recognize your dog's sounds and can distinguish between happy bark and a frightened bark or a playful growl and a more threatening one.
Take Your Cues From Your Dog
Once you learn the basics of how dogs communicate with each other, you can use some of those behaviors to get your message across to your dog. When giving commands, use a voice that sounds serious and not playful. Your dog will get the message. When she misbehaves, turn your back on her and ignore her for a few minutes. She'll know you're telling her that her behavior is unacceptable.
With a little information and practice, you can begin communicating with your dog in a much more effective and easy manner.
