Calming Signals
I decided to make a whole page devoted to this fascinating subject. Ever since I met Turid Rugaas 30 years ago, I was aware of canines using these many behaviors to diffuse the intensity of a situation. I still find it so fascinating to watch a group of dogs interact, as they use these signals almost constantly as they communicate to one another. Calming signals including yawning, tongue flicks or licking lips, averting gaze often with a head turn, freezing, sniffing the ground, turning in an arc, raising the paw, and I believe shaking off after a tense interaction. It really is a language of the dog!
I highly recommend reading all you can on this fascinating topic. Calming signals include yawning, lip licking or tongue flicking, head turning, walking in a curve instead of directly toward, raising a paw, and other behaviors a canine may use to calm itself or others in a situation. When you understand these behaviors and how they are used, it will open a whole new world of communication between you and your dogs.
If you only read one article on this topic, make it this one:
http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1
I also want to add some photos here that will illustrate various calming signals. The photos were all taken by me so I know the context in which the interactions occur, as well as the dogs involved.
After you read the articles in the links above, and spending some time studying these pictures, I urge you to spend some time watching your dog, both as he interacts with other dogs as well as other aspects of his life. You may be amazed at how often the dog uses these signals, even to calm his human family! If you are training the dog, he may use them on you if he feels pushed too hard, or during a visit to the vet or groomer, or even a walk around the neighborhood. I will add more photos as I can.
Here is a tongue flick, raised paw and walking in an arc around the dog out of frame on the left that is putting pressure on this dog
Here is a sideways approach and the merle is averting gaze. The tri far right is licking her lips
This dog is using a combination of calming signals, including a bow, freeze and he's starting to raise one paw. He is even making the puppy face with ears back and round eyes. He is doing this in reaction the the dog on the left staring and approaching in an assertive manner.
These two girls are showing several calming signals during a tense interaction. The one on the left is doing a tongue flick while the one on the right is shaking off.
The dog on the right is using a "head turn" in response to the stare of the dog on the far left. They are negotiating possession of the red ball. The older dog on the right had it but the younger one on the left wants to take over. The one in the middle is somewhat neutral in this interaction. Her gaze is soft and unfocused, as if she's staring off in the distance. Even that is noteworthy as it is a behavior a person being threatened by a dog can use. Looking off into the distance instead of staring at the dog can help diffuse aggression. Staring directly at the dog will often escalate the situation.
This dog is sniffing, which can just be sniffing, or can be when there is pressure put on the dog by other dogs or humans, or even a situation. It is also used as a displacement behavior in some instances, doing an unrelated behavior in response to other stimuli.
These two girls were having a tense interaction and the one on the right was raising her paw to the one on the right who is being a little threatening.
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"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Acts 2:21
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