June 2002

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CALMING SIGNALS: THE LANGUAGE OF THE DOG PARK

A three part series, excerpted/adapted from the work of Turid Rugaas

Dogs, being group animals, have a language for communication with each other. Canine language in general consists of a large variety of signals using body, face, ears, tail, sounds, movement, and expression. If we study the signals dogs use with each other and use them ourselves, we increase our ability to communicate with our dogs. Of particular interest are the calming signals, which are used to maintain a healthy social hierarchy and to resolve conflict within the group. These are skills which, when carried over to our own interactions with dogs can be highly beneficial to our relationship. Dogs have the ability to calm themselves in the face of fearful or stressful situations, and to calm each other as well. Dogs which do not signal properly can be the cause of problems. In order to begin seeing these signals we need to take ourselves away from established ideas and labels concerning subordinance displays, displacement activities, rituals, drives and try to look at their behavior in a new way. At dog parks we have the opportunity to observe a group of dogs interacting freely, and we may see these common calming signals:

MOVING SLOWLY • MOVING IN AN ARC • SITTING, LYING • BLINKING, AVERTING EYES, TURNING AWAY • SNIFFING THE GROUND • YAWNING • LIP LICKING • SPLITTING

MOVING SLOWLY: A dog intending to use signals, upon seeing another dog in the distance, will start to move slowly. This exaggerated slow motion is a calming signal, and one which can be used early and effectively when meeting. For example, joggers, bicycles, and children approaching quickly may appear as a threat.

MOVING IN AN ARC: Rarely upon first meetings will dogs approach each other nose to nose. More frequently dogs approach each other in curving lines, walk beyond each other's nose to sniff rear ends while standing side to side. Most apprehensive dogs are more easily approached by people if not confronted head on, and you can help dogs approach other dogs by guiding them in an arc (sometimes quite a large arc).

SITTING, LYING: These positions are probably the most graphic calming signals of all. You can see them being used in active play sessions. A dog will spontaneously drop when things get out of control. How many dogs, when receiving a reprimand from the owner will sit or lie down?

Sources:

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals
by Turid Rugaas
Booklet and Video both available

NEWS ON NEW PARKS

We are moving ahead at a steady pace, both with the city and within PADZ, towards bringing successful off-leash recreation to Encinitas citizens and their dogs.

The Dog Parks subcommittee of the Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission are working with PADZ in the assessment of many potential sites throughout Encinitas. In May members of our board accompanied commissioners on a tour of potential sites throughout the city, and compiled a list of 16 sites to study further. Our goal is to have a fenced dog park in each of the communities of Encinitas (Leucadia, Olivenhain, Cardiff, Historic Encinitas, and New Encinitas), each designed specifically for the site. Our work right now is assessing suitable sites and identifying the minimum amenities that would be needed for each (with future upgrades in amenities to come over time). As Mayor Guerin stated in our last newsletter, the City Council’s goal is to begin some kind of park development by the end of the year. This is feasible. There are sites that already fencing, and need relatively little development to open. We encourage all PADZ members to take part in this process of envisioning our dog parks by attending PADZ meetings, and taking part in city discourse on the matter. The June 18th Parks & Rec Meeting will have presentations on potential sites by commissioners and staff that will shape the final site selection decisions.

PADZ is developing subcommittees to focus on particular issues within the organization, in order to make PADZ stronger as an advocacy and education group. At our May meeting members volunteered for Special Events and Membership subcommittees. Our Special Events subcommittee will be in charge of our planned fundraising event. Our Membership committee will be in charge of improving management of our membership database and communication on all membership questions. The next subcommittee we will be forming will be our Media / Public Relations subcommittee, so we encourage members with experience in this area to lend a hand and help PADZ increase it’s visibility as a community group. In the future there will be a subcommittee formed for each park site, so keep this in mind as another great way to get involved.

You can help!

Get involved with PADZ!

Write to local newspapers and politicians.

Attend municiple meetings when dog parks are being discussed.

Help educate fellow park users on dog park etiquette.

PARKING AT ORPHEUS PARK
We’re still getting complaints from nearby residents about dog park visitors blocking driveways, walkways, and mailboxes; and parking dangerously on the corner across from the park. Until we get more dog parks Orpheus will continue to be very crowded, so you may have to park a block or so away. Just think of the walk from your car as part of your dog’s exercise time at the park, and help maintain good relations with our neighbors.