Reading dogs

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>--Type Title Here--</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><B>home</B></A></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B>Reading Dogs</B> </div> <div> <B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#333333" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> People that spend a lot of time around dogs are able to know what a dog is going to do based on its actions. Body posture and movements can also be read to predict a dog's actions. As dogs are animals, however, they can also be unpredictable at times and their actions are not always predictable.  There are always special situations, such as if you startle a dog by stepping on its tail or catch it off guard, when a dog may behave in a way that was not able to be predicted. These situations tend to be special circumstances and rarely occur if the proper training is executed. </div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> </div> <div> Dogs run in packs in the wild and as a result have developed behaviors and signals that allow them to communicate with other animals. Dogs tend to follow the same behavior regardless of the breed or size of the animal. Once you are able to read these signals, this can be very beneficial for a dog owner. </div> <bR> <div> In addition to following certain behaviors with other dogs, dogs tend to use the same actions when engaging in interactions with humans.  These are some common forms of communication that a dog will engage in with another dog.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Alert ears and a head held up high:</B> When a dog puts its ears up, lifts up its head or wags its tail, it generally means that they are checking out the situation and are reading the vibes from the other dog before they act. You should always wait a few minutes before moving towards a dog or trying to touch it when you see a dog in this position. </div> <div> <B> </B> </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Wagging tail</B></FONT><B>, ears pulled back and a head lowered down -</B> When a dog is excited, it will drop its head low or extend forward and keep its head parallel to the ground while simultaneous wagging its tail. This usually signifies a happy dog that wants to play or receive affection by its owner. Feel free to approach a dog that is in this position. It is, however, a good idea to let the animal smell your hand before you reach over to pet it. </div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Lowered head with ears back or tail between a dog's legs -</B> When a dog gets into this position, it is usually expressing a submissive state driven by fear or because they are in the presence of a dominant dog or owner.  In addition, a dog may urinate or roll over in an attempt to show submission. </div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Ears back, tail held high, head up and alert - </B>An aggressive dog will try to make itself appear as large and intimidating as possible to other dogs and people.  Make sure to slow down and allow the dog to smell and see you before attempting to approach. If a dog is growling or appears to be in an aggressive stance, take a step back and slowly walk away from the animal.  Do not approach or try to touch the dog, as this could result in a bite or attack.</div> <bR> <div> Article by Kelly Marshall of http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>