Interestingly, the average dog understands about 165 words, and the top 20% can learn about 250 human words. And I should say, dogs don’t just speak English; it can be any language. But, when your dog talks to you, he is not speaking human, he’s speaking in his language.
Do you know what your dog is saying to you?
Barking
This is the obvious one, when he’s verbalising, but a bark can mean so many things. The tone (high pitched is more negative) as is the vigour and the other body language associated. A friendly tail wag, coupled with a couple of barks can be simply “Hey I’m here, hello, great to see you”, but a strong bark, coupled with growling and hackles up …. Well, it’s more like “Danger Will Robinson!”
Tail Wag
Some people take the tail wag as ‘all is good – I’m friendly’ but not always. A high tail shows confidence (and sometimes dominance or a little aggression), whereas a low tail wag can show lack of confidence or submissiveness. Wagging to his right is positive and often is good excitement, whereas wagging to his left can be negative.
Hackles are up
Can have a few meanings. The raising of a dog’s hackles (the hairs along his shoulders, back and to the top base of the tail) is called Piloerection. It usually means they are on high alert and yes, often does mean aggression, dominance, fear, anxiety, defensives, and nervousness. But it can also mean they are cold (just like humans can get goose bumps) or also arousal. Looks at the stimulus causing the hackles and at the other body language your dog is displaying. Are the hackles being joined with barks and growls, or perhaps they are in play mode?
Excessive pacing
Your pooch is telling you he’s stressed and uncomfortable. This might be loud noise, fireworks or something else. Look and watch and try to work out what is stressing your mate. If there is say road works occurring at the front of your home, move him to the back. If there are fireworks or a thunder storm happening outside, pop on the TV (which is not showing fireworks), close the curtains and windows and try distracting him, perhaps with a chew toy.
Becomes aggressive or keeps to himself
In the wild, dogs naturally hide any problems, especially an injury or sickness to avoid making themselves vulnerable to attack. Their instinct is inbred and so if your usually friendly and social pooch is suddenly going hiding, taking himself to his crate more than normal, or has become aggressive, he may well be telling you he’s not well. If Caesar does this, I give him the opportunity to eat grass (and the act of eating a lot of grass tells me his tummy isn’t right), otherwise if this persists you may want to see your vet. The same will apply if your pooch usually likes to be petted, but suddenly does not. He might be injured or hurt; try to gently work out if there is a sore spot and investigate. It might be a simple splinter or cut, or maybe something more serious your vet should attend to.
Excessive licking
A little licking is normal; it’s not just cats that groom themselves regularly. In fact, dogs will groom each other and often the eyes, which they cannot clean themselves. However, excessive licking of a certain spot is sending you a clear message; I’m hurt. It might be a cut or splinter in the paw, or a bad bruise, or more serious. This is why the e-collar is so important after any surgery; they know something is wrong or hurt and lick so much it can open stitches or cause infection.
Scooting
This is where you dog drags his butt along the floor. Now it might be as simple as a burr or scratchy leaf caught in the fur. It might be some poop stuck there, or parasites/worms. However, it could be an anal sack problem. If the anal glands become blocked it can cause infection and abscesses – so if you can’t work out the problem, talk to your vet.
Excessive panting
Might be quite normal in very hot weather, or after some decent exercise. It could come about from some excitement. However, if she is panting at strange times, ie it’s not hot and she’s not been active, it again can be a sign of something more.
Eye problems
This can also occur too. Lots of blinking, squinting or his eyes tearing up can mean an eye problem. Naturally take a good look, but not every optical problem is visible (pun intended) so again, a visit to your vet may be in order if you’re concerned.
Loss of appetite
Personally I don’t get too worried if it’s just a meal or two. Especially if you’ve got other people in the house (visitors or children) they might be scoring snacks on the side which you are not aware of. Some dogs (unlike Labradors for example) don’t eat just because it’s there. If they are not hungry, then why eat? But if your pooch is a good eater and never normally skips a meal, and has skipped a few (and hasn’t pooped either) you may well have an abdominal obstruction which can be quite serious; go see your vet.
Excessive thirst
Can be a sign of kidney disease. But again, take into consideration what has been happening. If it is a hot day, and she’s been quite active then drinking lots of water will be quite natural.
Toileting in the house
And presumably your pooch is not a pup and is house trained, then this can be a sign of a whole range of things. For a start, perhaps they cannot get outside (and by this I don’t mean you accidentally closed their door) but perhaps a joint or leg issue that causes pain to move. It might be simply old age, or perhaps distress or anxiety. It might also be a sign of a urinary tract infection or diabetes. It can be emotional or physical, so you may need to do a bit of investigating.
I cannot reiterate enough; if you are unsure – talk to your vet. Even your vet nurse might have some helpful guidance over the phone – what to worry about and come in for, and what is just fine; don’t worry.
Our dogs often ‘tell’ us many things. My dog Caesar specifically talks to me a few ways:
- He takes my hand in his mouth (gently) and leads me to one of three places. The back door is one – he wants to go for a walk. The second is that I get led to the fridge; no big guess what he wants there. The third place he takes me (and I’ve seriously yet to work out why) to my chair at my office desk. It’s like “Get back to work!”
- He tells me when my son Dan is at the door. Initially he will hear a sound, barks and goes to the door. Within a metre or two of the door, the barking stops and the tail wags in a very excited way. He’s got the scent of Dan and know it’s him. I trust my dog so much I don’t even look first to check who it is; Caesar has told me it’s Dan.
- He tells me what rubs and scratches he likes or where he wants it. When I scratch just the right spot, he makes a moaning type sound (similar to a cat’s purr) to tell me that feels wonderful!!
So, who said our pets can’t talk to us!