Most of us would love to know what our pets are really saying and our collective wish to be able to talk with the animals is reflected in myths and popular culture - the Dr. Doolittle character is a good example. There's even a funthat superimposes a human mouth onto your pet's picture and you can add a voice recording. While this is amusing, if you are serious about figuring out what your canine friend is saying and equally important, what you are saying to him or her, it is possible.If you want to talk with your dog, it's all about letting your body talk. "Although dogs sometimes do communicate using their voice, the primary way they communicate to us, and we communicate to them, whether we know it or not, is through body language,veterinarian and specialist in animal behaviour and general manager, animal behaviour and welfareIf you watch a dog closely throughout the day, he will give off many signals. Most people - dog guardians are no exception - either miss or misinterpret those signals. Yet those signals are as important to how your dog conveys messages about his or her needs, intentions, and state of mind as words are to us as communication tools.People interested in animal behaviour may have heard about "cat talk" and what a certain number of meows, and their type and duration mean. While dogs tend to be less vocal with people in the ways that cats are, still it is possible to "talk" with your dogdog guardians familiarize themselves with calming signals, facial expressions, and body language indicating a dog is fearful. The latter is important in determining how you should handle a dog in situations that might give rise to conflict between a dog and a person or between dogs.Dogs use calming signals to prevent conflict with other dogs and signal peaceful intentions,"Because dogs have inherited instincts to co-operate and defer to a pack leader and dogs of higher rank, they have evolved signals which indicate status. Nose licking, turning the head or body away, changing gaze so it is less direct, sitting or lying down or changing the speed or direction of movement are just some of the ways that dogs indicate they don't want conflict. One very useful thing we have discovered is that guardians can also use some of these signals with their dogs. For instance, sitting down with your dog if she is stressed can helpcalm her, or turning your body so you are beside, rather than standing over, a dog, can help a fearful dog let you come closer." Facial expressions are also important clues to what your dog is saying. A dog's eyes, ears, mouth, lips, and muzzle all tell you something important. A narrow or averted gaze or blinking, or mouth drawn back with lips in anormal position are signs of friendliness and deference. Completely flattened ears indicate the dog is afraid. Pryor emphasizes it is important to give your dog clues with your body to tell her what you want. For example, during leash training you should consistently use your body position to show direction. You should also learn what your dog's unique signals are. Observe her face and body during a particular interaction. Start with something easy, such as observing her when you know she is happy and relaxed, progressing to interactions with more signalling, such as your dog meeting an unfamiliar dog. Learn to read your dog and soon you'll be "talking dog."
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