Dogs use body language to communicate with each other and other species. One form of body language has been termed calming signals by Turid Rugaas, a world reknowned dog behaviourist in Norway.

 

These are signals used by dogs to both show peaceful intentions to other dogs, and to calm themselves and other dogs/species down.

 

Once you start noticing these signals you realise how much our dogs use them. Dogs are natural peacekeepers and these signals enable them to avoid confrontations that could escalate to aggressive behaviour. It's no wonder that they are one of the most successful species on the planet.

 

So what are these signals and how do you spot them? Well firstly you always have to view them in light of the situation in which they occur and not in isolation - some signals can have many different meanings but the more you watch and see what other dogs do in response to these signals and try responding to your dogs signals yourself, you can begin to learn what your dog is trying to communicate when they use them. You will notice that often when one dog uses a calming signal the other dog will mirror it.

 

Below are some examples of commonly used calming signals:

 

 

 

This is my puppy and he is indicating that he is not entirely comfortable with camera right in front of his face. When I stopped taking the photo and sat side on to him he turned his head to face the front again. This is a very easy signal that we humans can use if we are trying to calm our dogs down.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This puppy is again showing a sign that she is not happy with the camera so close. This signal is so quick that it can be easily missed. Often used by hairy and dark coloured dogs as it is easy to see in contrast to their fur, where other signals can be missed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A paw lift is a signal that is very easy to spot but not an easy one for us humans to copy!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another signal that is easy for us humans to copy and use when signalling to our dogs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This can be misunderstood by people thinking the dog is jealous. Close body contact and head on contact in dogs is a sign that the situation may escalate to aggression and dogs will try to split up any potential confrontation before it has a chance to escalate.

 

In the following example, the Lurcher in the middle is trying to split the Newfoundland puppy and older Parsons Jack Russell Terrier who is not so keen on the puppy. She is both physically splitting by getting in between the two dogs but also using a strong calming signal - lying down. We can also use splitting up to help our dogs out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After shot - all dogs lying down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This can be a sign of tiredness but is often a calming signal - sometimes used by dogs to calm themselves! This is a particularly useful one we can use to try to calm down a restless and/or hyperactive dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Newfoundland puppy lying down when meeting a nervous Border Collie dog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As discussed meeting head on can be confrontational in dogs, so you will often see dogs meet each other in a curve and sideways onto each other.