Great Article About Calming Signals

[robinw]

clicky This is from a great Greyhound eZine, free from the UK

 

Canine Behaviour with Pennie Clayton of Horse and Hound School

Pennie Clayton runs "Horse and Hound School" and is a dog behaviour consultant, Bowen therapist and trains horses. She owns greyhounds and lurchers and is very familiar with day to day problems with rescue dogs and rehabilitating rescue dogs. She is available for behaviour advice, training and problem solving for all types of dogs. Contact details :Emailinfo@horseandhoundschool.co.uk or on 07901 720961

 

CALMING SIGNALS: AMBER AND RED ZONE

Last month we looked at what are often called green zone calming signals. These should be accepted as good and helpful and be encouraged and used regularly between dogs and in fact in dog/human interactions . We should learn to recognise them as they are a vital part of your dog's life, and they are used to pacify and calm your dog and any dogs around him/her. Green zone are imperative and can be life savers. Calming signals are used to placate and diffuse tense situations with other dogs in a multitude of circumstances; they are also used to help relieve stressful situations that crop up with regularity.

 

Dogs recognise calming signals, no matter what breed or age they are, although adolescent dogs are often the exception and tend to ignore them; and to react to other dogs by being exuberant and a little bit "over the top". But as they experience life, most dogs become wiser and learn to use and respect calming signals given by other dogs.

 

Green calming signals express a calm dog that is unwilling to get into a confrontation with another dog, they consist of many behaviours that attempt to reassure, diffuse and to put other dogs in the area at ease, and to inform others around them that they mean no harm and are not a threat.

 

The most familiar green calming signals are lip licking, yawning, freezing and curving around other dogs and are mostly given at a respectful distance. Humans often mess these intentions up by insisting that their dogs are "friendly " to other dogs in the vicinity and assume that their dog should approach other dogs and "be friendly". This is not something our dogs would necessarily choose to do, but usually our dogs are very tolerant and generally no harm comes from this kind of situation.

 

Problems will arise though if polite or green calming signals are completely ignored. This can cause an escalation, with signals/communication becoming more frantic and more visible. To us dozy humans the green zone signals are often misunderstood or missed. This means we are often very slow to realise things are getting out of hand.

<br style="font-weight: bold; ">AMBER SIGNALS

These indicate an escalation of a situation, and one that it is fast becoming confrontational. Bear in mind that dogs have the ability to react 5 times faster than us.

 

These amber signals consist of the lips being retracted, growling and lunging and indicate the possibility of attack and ultimately a bite, a dog's hackles will also start to come up. Dogs may circle each other slowly, start to approach each other head on and stare at each other. Staring is very intimidating (to dogs) and this should be considered as a serious threat, as it is generally something any dog would rather avoid. Dogs may also use louder audible signals such as barking. The dog's body will also have appeared to have visibly stiffened. He is now ready to attack-but even at this point things can be resolved, and if the "challenger" walks away or turns his back things may well be diffused.

 

<br style="font-weight: bold; ">RED ZONE

This is generally where we wake up, albeit much too late! The dogs are now likely to have locked eyes; the time for backing down and peaceful solutions has now passed. This last zone indicates incredibly loud and fast actions like snapping, lunging and biting. When dogs are termed "aggressive" they have started to bypass the use of green zone signals and often just jump straight into using this red zone. This is not a good place for a dog to be, and very often it is caused by humans telling their dogs off for grumbling and growling. To dogs this indicates that it is wrong to use warning signals, especially if they are punished for barking or grumbling at other dogs. This is why you should never discourage your dog from barking by yelling at him, and telling him off. By doing this you will actively be encouraging your dog from being polite and using his diplomatic skills, barking and growling are warnings but they do not in themselves indicate "aggression". No it is not nice when your dog barks and lunges at another dog, but please look at the situation he is in. If he feels uncomfortable or threatened by another dog, or by being in the presence of certain people while in a busy environment pay attention to him and take him away. Training your dog by insisting that he has to "meet" every dog he sees, or by insisting he copes with incorrect socialisation is short sighted and can cause many problems.

 

The lesson for us humans is to learn how good dogs are at communicating, and to allow our dogs to use their own efficient language. Please think before you prevent your dog using calming signals, and learn to assess any situation you put him in.

[JohnF]

Calming Signals have always been there as ways that dogs can resolve conflicts or allay their fears. But maybe calling all dog behaviour Calming Signals takes the association one step too far? Don't read me wrong, Calming Signals really helped my present dog by improving MY undertanding their practical importance to her better. She was quite a little spook at the outset.

Turid Rugass's book "On Talking Terms With Dogs" should be mandatory reading for all dog ownwers and especially those who are afraid of dogs.

[robinw]

I'm not going to disagree that the term "calming signals" may be a little misleading, but the info in the article is good, especially for those of us who may miss the more subtle stuff. Shortly after I adopted my bridge angel, Loca, I took her to a meet and greet. I didn't have the knowledge to read the signals she displayed when a large puppy approached her. If I had known how to read her actions, the encounter may never have gotten to the point where it took five of us to pry her mouth open after she grabbed said puppy by the neck

Edited January 15, 2011 by robinw

[Batmom]

I will remember that Loca story to the end of my days. And with a smile .

 

Good article. I especially like that it reminds people not to punish grumbling/warning.

[45MPHK9]

Thanks for posting this information. Our Murray is a nervous dog outside of our house. We watch him carefully for signals of stress. He is absolutely a yawner when he feels his space encroached upon.