1. Reading Canine Body Postures
Ms. Lacross
Agriscience and Technology I

2. Introduction Dogs display their state of mind via body language
An observer can detect how a dog is feeling by taking careful note of
ear position
pupil dilation
facial tension
tail carriage
body weight distribution

3. Body Positions Neutral Relaxed Arousal Aggressive Attack
Active Submission
Passive Submission
Defensive Aggression

4. Neutral Relaxed

5. Arousal
Dogs in the aroused position have been stimulated by something in their environment
When a dog is aroused by something pleasurable
the hackles will be down
the tail will be carried up and bristled
the muzzle will be tense
you may see the tongue
This posture is displayed to
subordinates in order to express
higher ranking pack positions

6. Aggressive Attack This posture is used to: chase another dog away
attack in order to protect their
possessions
pack
self

7. Submission Two Types: Active Submission and Passive Submission
posture is used when a dog
acknowledges another dog or
humans higher social ranking
inhibit another’s aggression
Passive Submission
bellying up indicates a surrender
pacifying gesture
offered to a more dominant
individual

8. Defense aggression When fearful a dog will give warning signals
These signals indicate that s/he
do not want to be approached
If these signals are ignored s/he will bite to protect himself / herself

9. Dog – To – Dog Communication

10. Four Types of Dog to Dog Communication
1. Maternal Correction
2. Play Solicitation
3. Greeting Behavior
4. Greeting Posture

11. A mother dog will discipline her pup with a quick muzzle grasp
Maternal Correction
A mother dog will discipline her pup with a quick muzzle grasp
The pup then learns to offer submissive body postures
Why?

12. Play Solicitation Combines dominant and submissive gestures
Is an offer to
play
or for courtship

13. Greeting behavior
A submissive dog will greet a more dominant dog with:
a muzzle nudge
Appeasement: Pacifying : reduce the excitement,
anger or agitation

14. Greeting Posture Dogs sniff each others genital region
helps to determine sexual status