Imagine yourself being swept up into an alien spaceship full of giants. You don't understand the language and you have no idea on how to make things work. You rely on them for everything you need... You would want to learn how to communicate with them, wouldn't you?
That's how our world must seem to our canine companions. They want to "fit in" and be a member of the pack, but they have no idea what we're talking about. To make matters more complicated, dogs come from a world in which even the slightest twitch of whiskers has meaning.
So, how do we bridge this gap? To help you begin to understand you dog, here is a beginner course in "Dog-ese"
1. Moves away when you pet his head - Patting the top of the head is a sign of dominance in the dog world. It's the way mother dogs discipline their pups. Better to stroke them on the side of the face, chin or on the chest - keeping your hands low and slow.
2. Circles before lying down - This is something that dogs are genetically programmed to do. In the tradition of their wild ancestors, they are going through the motion of forming a safe place in a non-existent grassy field.
3. Barks at the mailman/paperboy/delivery man - Your dog believes that he is making the person leave because he is barking. He doesn't realize that the person was going to leave anywhere.
4. Grunts - Grunting is a form of pleasure when the dog has received something he wants.
5. Whines - Dogs whine for the same reason as babies cry - they need something and, like with babies, it's your job to figure out what it is.
6. Blinks - This is something that a dog does when he is thinking very hard and trying to figure out what you want him to do.
7. Yawns - Yawning a good indicator that your dog is feeling stressed and is trying to displace the stress in a non-threatening way. Of course, he could just be tired...
8. Licks his lips - This is a sign of stress - just that same as it is with people.
9. Licks you - Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not kiss one another. In some instances, this is a sign of deference to you that is designed to get your attention. In other instances, a dog will lick as a way of showing dominance - like the child who does something because he knows he can get away with it. Finally, dogs learn very quickly that this behavior can get them attention in the right situation.
10. Climbing onto the furniture when you've told them "No" - In the dog world, pack leaders are entitled to the highest vantage point so they can watch over their subordinants. It may mean that your dog is trying to exert power over you. Or, it may mean that your furniture is more comfortable than the floor...
11. Scrapes the ground after elimination - Unlike his feline counterparts who do this ti cover their scent, your dog is actually making sure that EVERYONE knows he's been there. A sort of canine neon sign for other dogs.
12. Eats stool - The scientific name is coprophagia and, while we may find it disgusting, there is nothing really harmful in the proactice. Most puppies will outgrow it by their first birthday. The only real way to prevent it is to keep your dog on a leash and pick up after your dog - it is isn't available, your dog can't get it.
13. Rolls around in mud, feces or other smelly substances - Some behaviorists think that this comes from wild dogs that used these substances to hide their own scent when huning. Others believe that, because dogs use smell as a way of defining themselves, that it's just plain fun!
14. Eats grass - Some dogs eat grass when they don't feel good...others don't feel good when they eat grass...In either case, it's not harmful to the dog.
15. Sniffs around before going "potty" - Humans are taught that elimination is just elimination, but to a dog, it is a way of communicating. So, your dog has to "read the message board" before posting an answer.
16. Sniffs other dogs' backsides - A dog's nose is so sensitive that, in a matter of seconds at another dog's rear will relay the other dog's gender, age, and relative place in dog society - without the small talk.
17. Pants - Dogs do not have many sweat glands - only in the paws and around the anus. Panting allows the dog to help cool his body by breathing out water-saterated air. Also, when a dog is nervous, he might pant as well - like a human who hyperventilates before a speech.
18. Acts better with dogs of a like breed - Dogs tend to build their world around associations. If your dog associates good things with his puppyhood and siblings, he may be more likely to want to be near dogs like himself. On the other hand, a bad experience with a particular breed may result in a lifelong dislike of ALL dogs of that breed!
19. Lays on the ground with rump in the air - This is a "play bow" and it's genetically hardwired into all canines - even coyotes and wolves. When other dogs see this, they know exactly what it means - even if the dog appears to be snarling or even barking.
20. Chases his tail - This is NOT normal behavior! It often begins because of a frustrated high prey drive and may result in injury (bleeding tail) or obsessive behavior that can interfere with eating or sleeping.
21. Nurses on blankets or stuffed toys - This is an indication that the puppy was removed from his mother too soon. He is displacing his need for comfort.
22. Sticks his head out of the car window - The real reason dogs do this is because it's FUN! Besides the feel of the wind on their faces, they can smell the world around them. One word of caution - even small pebbles and dust can be harmful to a dog's eyes.
23. Barks at another dog (or person) with his head high, tail erect and ears forward - This is a signal of dominance and a dog's way of announcing that he sees the area as his territory. If you must approach this dog, do so slowly and deliberately with hands held low. Avoid eye contact as this seen as a direct challenge.
24. Barks at another dog (or person) with head low, tail tucked, ears pressed back and eyes darting from side to side - This dog is afraid and his barking is his way of trying to bluff his way out of trouble. He may even take a step forward, but, if given the chance, will run if approached. Be careful, though, if he is cornered, he may lash out.
25. Digs in dirt, bed linens or even dirty laundry - There are several reasons why dogs dig. In some cases, the dog is digging out of boredom or because it's fun. In other cases, digging may be a genetically hardwired activity for certain breeds of dogs, such as terriers who dig as part of the hunt, Huskies who dig to simulate the action of finding warmth in the snow, or dogs who dig out a place to keep cool in the heat.
26. Takes food from his bowl and eats it in another location - In the wild, dogs who were very low in the pack order will move food around to prevent it from being taken by others who held a higher status. Call it a touch of paranoia.
27. Hides treats or bones - This is a throwback to antiquity. A pack may have a good hunt, but there is no assurance of a repeat. Hiding food as rations is a way to insure that there will be a meal.
28. "Runs" in his sleep (includes growling, whining, etc) - It is generally believed that dogs do dream and this action is a result of that dreaming.
29. Wags his tail - A wagging tail does NOT necessarily mean a happy dog. Tails are a way to determine the energy level of a dog - the faster the movement, the more excited the dog. Think of ot like a tachometer on a car - it could mean that the car is ready to race or that the engine is ready to blow up. Whether it is a happy wag or not must be determined by the rest of the situation.
30. Tail between his legs - This is a sign of submission in a dog who is unsure or afraid.
31. Tail upright - This is a sign of confidence or dominance in a dog who is in control of his environment.
32. Chews socks or slippers (or whatever will fit in his mouth) - Chewing is a natural part of being a dog. When a dog has ample toys to chew, he will gravitiate to them. If not...then he'll find something else. Note - dogs don't just "chew" these items, they swallow them and this could result in intestinal blockages which could result in vomiting, shock, or even DEATH. The alternative would be significant vet bills.
33. Sniffs people in the groin - This is the dog's equivalent of a background check on a person. Even after a shower, a dog can tell age, gender, social status - are you afraid of him or a strong alpha? Dogs can even tell the difference between identical twins.
34. Shakes toys in his mouth - This is a genetic throwback to when dogs had to shake their prey to kill it.
35. Hair on his back stands on end - Known as "piloerection", this is the equivalent of doggie goosebumps and is totally involuntary. When the dog goes into "fight or flisght" mode, epinephrine stimulates the muscles under these airs and causes them to contract. When upset, raising the hackles makes him appear bigger and more formidable to a possible opponent. When he is cold, this action helps trap air between the hair shafts to insulate him from the cold.