Dog Medicine

Studying dog medicine taught me many things. One of those was the importance of understanding what dog is trying to communicate to us. Just as we need to read a pet's body language by watching their ears, tails and eyes, they must interpret ours. A dog's senses are sharper and more acute than humans, they can sense our moods, and things we're feeling, and then react to those feelings. Posture, facial expressions and tone of voice convey a lot more to a dog than words. Keep in mind, though, that dogs have limited interpretation of our movements. They focus on the same signals that are used within their own species, such as eye contact and posture. Opening your arms wide may be perceived as a positive gesture; similar to a dog lying spread-eagled on his back. Although recent studies have shown that some dogs can understand hundreds of words, spoken language may actually be secondary in effectively communicating with your dog. An old proverb sums it up perfectly: "One reason the dog has so many friends: He wags his tail instead of his tongue. Dogs don't use words, but they do have different barks, howls, growls and whines that effectively communicate their desires and emotions. Observe your dog often and carefully, and you'll eventually understand the differences in her tones. These "voices," however, are far less important than body language. The hackles, head, ears and tail are all indicators of a dog's expressions. In general, a dominant dog will try to make itself appear larger, while a submissive pet will contract. Observe the dog's posture with the children, and be sure to correct any misunderstanding about his perceived status in the social structure. Be enthusiastic when interacting with your dog, but maintain a confident, self-assured attitude and tone of voice.