Dog Behaviour

	TOPICS   *  Recommended Reading   *  Understanding Dog Talk and Canine Body Language   *  Preventing Dog Bites

	For the new companion owner here are some books that are a must in your library. For Canines: ASPCA Complete Dog Care Manual by Bruce Fogle D.V.M. published by Dorling Kindersley ISBN 1-56458-168-3 Vet on Call by the Editors of Pets Part of the Family published by Rodale Press Inc. ISBN 1-57954-225-5

	Understanding Dog Talk & Canine Body Language For dogs, there is no such thing as a hug.  Putting your hands on its shoulders is rude at best and a threat at worst.  Its the same as if a person came up to you and put you in a none-too-friendly headlock.   More than 4 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the U.S., many of then children and the numbers are on the rise.  Often, bites could be avoided if more people understood dog talk.  Here are some words and phrases and what they mean:   A dog plays with you and then walks away and lies down under a table.   Meaning:  Leave me alone.  Dogs can get tired of endless games.  When they do, they generally move away.  Going under a table or into a den-like area underlines the message.  Pursuing a dog that has retreated can force the dog to say it louder and clearer next time.   A dog comes toward you, mouth closed, tail up, stiff, wagging fast.   Meaning:  Im not sure about you. A wagging tail is something like a human smile often friendly but not always.  Tail position is a better indicator.  A straightup and stiff tail says, Im alert, confident and bold.  A tail tucked under equals a dog thats fearful, anxious and stressed.  A tail held at spine level is neutral: The dog is at ease and relaxed.  There are breed variations, of course, but even a curly tailed pug will tuck his tail when worried.   A dog comes up to you, seems to be friendly, but then flashes its teeth.   Meaning:  Howdy! A grin by any other name is still a grin.  A dog with ears back, head and tail low, wiggling and grinning is usually a friendly, polite dog who is just saying hello.  If this were a threat, the head and tail would likely be up, the fur along the neck spine would be up, and the dog would be growling or barking.   A dog is standing still, tail raised, mouth closed, staring at you but not barking.   Meaning:  Beware. In general, when a dog is very, very still, it is focused on something like a squirrel or a leaf blowing by.  When that something is you, however, total stillness is a cause to pause.  Likewise, dogs who stop chewing a toy or eating when you approach are warning you.  If your dog does this, get help from a professional trainer.  If it is someone elses dog, back off and tell the owner.   A dog puts its front end on the ground with its rear in the air and barks at you.   Meaning:  Come on, lets play! Called a Play bow, this is an invitation by your dog to let the games begin.   By Sarah Wilson and Brian Kil commons www.parade.com