10
Wednesday, November 8, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Paw
Prints
Jodi Schneider McNamee
Columnist
Understanding
your dog’s
body language
What is your dog trying to
tell you?
Because dogs don’t speak
human language, the only
way to really comprehend and
communicate with them is
for pet parents to understand
and appreciate what they are
telling us through their body
language and vocalizations.
Canines communicate
using a complex language
of body signals that indicate
what they are thinking and
feeling.
Even though a dog’s face
and head come in many
shapes and sizes, your furry
friend’s basic facial expres-
sions can tell you a great
deal about how he’s feeling.
Eyes that appear larger than
normal usually indicate that
a dog is feeling threatened
in some way. He may be
stressed by something or he
may be frightened. Dogs who
are in pain or not feeling well
often look as though they’re
squinting their eyes.
How many people have
sworn their dogs smile when
they are happy?
When a dog feels con-
tent, he has relaxed body
language. This means facial
muscles are relaxed, mak-
ing his mouth open and
the corners of his mouth
turn upwards, according to
the American Society for
Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA).
Any pet parent usually
knows when their dog is feel-
ing playful. His body move-
ments are jerky and bouncy.
He might bounce around in
exaggerated twists, turns and
give you the “play bow.”
He’ll get into the posi-
tion with his forelegs on the
ground and his hind legs
extended so that his rear
sticks up.
But when a dog is tired of
playing, his body language
changes. He may look away,
lay down, or show other
avoidance behaviors.
A dog’s ears also have
something to convey within
his body language. When a
dog is relaxed, his ears may
be slightly back or out to
the sides. As a dog becomes
more aroused, the ears will
move forward, pointing
toward the subject of interest.
And when observing
a dog’s tail, there are two
things to consider: the posi-
tion of the base of the tail,
and how the tail is moving.
A relaxed dog holds his
tail in a neutral position,
extending out from the spine.
As the dog becomes more
excited or aroused, his tail
usually rises above spine
level. The tail movement
may be a loose wag from
side to side or a sweeping
circular motion. He may also
move his tail side to side in
short, rapid movements as he
becomes more excited.
A fearful dog will tuck
his tail between his rear legs.
The tail may also be held
rigid against the belly, or wag
stiffly.
When your dog is fearful
or scared, he also does his
best to look small. Usually,
his body looks hunched, and
his ears flattened back on his
skull. He might cower close
to the ground. An extremely
fearful dog may freeze com-
pletely or frantically try to
escape, and he may urinate or
defecate when approached.
There is also the dog that
is fearful-aggressive. He
won’t look any different than
when he’s fearful, except that
PHOTO BY JODI SCHNEIDER MCNAMEE
Excavation
getting
underway
for Bike
Park 242
Is that a smile? A relaxed, happy dog often looks like he’s smiling.
By Sue Stafford
he might show his teeth and
growl. Some fearful dogs
never escalate to aggression,
but others will if they feel
there’s no escape. A fear-
ful dog isn’t likely to bite a
person or other animal unless
all avenues for escape are
blocked and he feels trapped.
A dog displaying truly
aggressive body language
will “look large,” standing
with his head raised above
his shoulders. His body will
be tense, with weight cen-
tered over all four feet or
leaning slightly forward onto
the front legs, and his tail is
held high and rigid.
His display depends on
how close he is to the threat
and whether his intention is
to stand his ground, charge
forward or retreat. Typically,
he will draw his lips back to
display his teeth and usually
will growl, snarl, or bark,
although his bark might
be high-pitched. Often, his
hackles are up.
Much like your own
“goose bumps,” the hair
can raise along a dog’s back
when he is upset or excited.
This is also known “raised
hackles” and can happen
across the shoulders, down
the spine, and above the tail.
Hackles don’t always mean
aggression is going to hap-
pen, but they are an indicator
that the dog is very excited or
upset about something.
If your dog is anxious or
feeling stressed, you may see
a change in his activity level.
He may escalate and become
hyperactive or appear more
on edge and ready to react
defensively. Other signs to
be aware of include exces-
sive drooling or shedding,
trembling or sweaty paws.
For instance, have you
ever noticed how your furry
friend may pant at the vet-
erinarian’s office? Panting is
a sign of stress, particularly
rapid accompanied by a tight
mouth with stress wrinkles
around it. And ever notice
how your dog will gain com-
fort by holding onto you?
An anxious dog may also
vocalize — he may bark,
whimper, whine, or growl.
Dogs may also lick their lips
when nervous.
The messages dogs com-
municate with their body
language can be subtle, but
with careful attention, most
people can learn to recognize
and interpret the most impor-
tant meanings. It’s important
to know when your dog’s
happy, when he’s playful,
when he’s worried or scared,
when he’s feeling uncertain
or insecure about something
or someone, and when he’s
feeling upset and potentially
angry. As long as you can
recognize these messages,
you can interact with him
confidently and safely, and
you can protect him when he
needs protection.
Correspondent
The dream of a full-fea-
ture bike park at the west end
of Sisters is getting closer to
reality.
City Parks Advisory
Board chairman and Sisters
Park & Recreation District
(SPRD) Executive Director
Liam Hughes reported that
an excavator has begun work
on Bike Park 242, slated for
the SPRD campus. A $25,000
grant was received to help
with the cost of construction.
Kiwanis members recently
built the launch pad for the
bike park.
“The bike park has been
a real community project,”
Hughes told the PAB.
Hughes noted that only
27 percent of the SPRD
budget is funded by taxes.
They raised $176,000
through fundraisers, their
two shootout basketball
tournaments and the SALI
lacrosse tournament in the
spring. They provide $15,000
every year for the Sisters
High School basketball
program.
SPRD just finished their
strategic planning pro-
cess, with services donated
by board member Jeff
Tryens.
Hughes reported, “Zero
tax dollars were spent to do
the strategic plan.”
Fall Sale
Take time for
!
s
e
l
mi
S
SALE ENDS
NOVEMBER 21
Sisters Dental is committed to
your family’s dental health!
25% OFF
Blinds
— Exceptional Health, Prevention & Aesthetics —
FREE CORDLESS UPGRADE. ON SIGNATURE SERIES ONLY.
Ben Crockett, D.D.S.
p 541-549-9486 f 541-549-9110
410 E. Cascade Ave. • P.O. Box 1027 • Sisters, Oregon 97759
Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.;
Thurs., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
25 TOP BRANDS
541-788-8444