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August 2002 get a printer-friendly
(pdf) version HELP PADZ EARN MONEY CALMING SIGNALS: THE LANGUAGE OF THE DOG PARK Part three of a three part series, excerpted/adapted from the work of Turid Rugaas. In the first two parts of this column we outlined how dogs use canine calming signals. Dogs have threatening signals just as they have calming signals. If you read the list you can see how they way people act can be interpreted as aggressive by the dog: staring, approaching head-on, standing over another dog, growling, barking, and baring their front teeth with a tight mouth. In this final segment we’ll outline how humans can make use of these same signals to communicate more effectively with dogs. The most important time to use calming signals is when meeting a dog you don’t know. If a dog acts fearfully towards you or is showing signs of stress you can settle the dog by offering the same calming signals that dogs use amongst each other. First, slow down. Turning your head away and averting your gaze is an easy first signal to make. If the dog is still stressed you can turn your entire body to the side, or even turn your back on the dog. If you act like you’re ignoring the dog you’ll be showing calming signals, and the dog with be more likely to approach you. It can sometimes be stressful for dogs have a person look them directly in the face, especially at their eye level. If crouching it’s much better to turn sideways to the dog and look at them in your peripheral vision. Often dogs will then approach your side, as they would a dog, to avoid confrontation. Leaning over a dog can often cause them to back away. This can happen when you are calling your dog to you, or are trying to “capture” a dog. Stand straight up. Looking down to a dog makes your gaze seem softer to the dog. If you want to approach a dog and make them comfortable, approach in a curving pattern rather than head-on, so that you pass alongside the dog. When you go to someone’s home you may find their dog still barking after you’ve entered the house. Try sitting down, as this can help calm the dog, along with averting your gaze as described above. If your own dog is stressed try the same thing, including lying down (on your couch or bed). Try yawning to help a stressed dog relax. Don’t worry, you can fake the yawn, just be sure to breath deeply as if you were really yawning. You can even imitate sniffing – try sitting down outside and scratching and investigating the grass (no, you don’t have to stick your nose to the ground), you’ll probably find a dog there very soon. Dogs are very in-tune with breathing patterns, so experiment and notice how your dog reacts. Turning away can also be used if you have a dog jumping on you or nagging you. Simply turn your back and avert your gaze and you will often find that the dog settles down. This is partly due to your display of calming signals, but it also prevents the dog from getting reinforcement for jumping (getting handled and petted). If roughhousing dogs are getting too rough, people often separate them by grabbing and pulling the dogs away. This usually increases tension between the dogs because you’re physically putting the dogs in non-calming positions (head up and straight at the other dog with eyes wide open). You can perform splitting the way dogs do by simply walking between them. If you can walk one of the dogs away with you by chatting to them or offering a reward, even better. Often dogs just need a few seconds or a minute away to let things calm down and they can regroup successfully. It’s not recommended that you walk between dogs that are in a full-fledged fight, though you may see dogs intervene in this way. Remember, use calming signals to prevent fights. As you start to use these signals with dogs you will begin to notice the reactions they have to them. Your own dog will probably be delighted to see that you’re finally learning to communicate! Interested in watching Turid Rugaas’ Calming Signals video with other dog park enthusiasts? Margarat Nee will be arranging a viewing party at her home for late August. Contact her at: webmaster@padz.org or call 753-0527. Sources: On
Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals |
NEWS PADZ COMMITTEES Get Involved Today! MEMBERSHIP
COMMITTEE Volunteer to help sign up members at various locations, and contact local organizations to promote access to community events. The Membership Committee has proposed membership drives at: The Rob Machado Surf Classic and Beach Fair at Cardiff State Beach, Sept. 8-9; Oktoberfest at Mt Vista & El Camino Real, Sept. 29; Encinitas Coaster Station. We will need volunteers for these events. Immediate assistance is needed in contacting the Machado Surf Classic about having a table at the event. We also need an EZ-UP Shade cover, folding chairs, and table, for upcoming membership drives.
PARK
DESIGN COMMITTEE This committee will research and plan dog park designs, and work to implement these designs in our future parks. If you’re interested in having well-designed, appealing dog parks this is your chance to get involved in creating them. Desired volunteer skills are creativity and a willingness to collaborate. We particularly need access to people with knowledge of landscape design, engineering, architecture, construction, and public art. A landscape painter/draftsman would be a great addition, to help us present our vision to the community. Your level of involvement can vary. Plans are for monthly meetings, with extra meetings as needed in the future for individual park projects.
SPECIAL
EVENTS COMMITTEE Plan and present special community events to promote awareness of PADZ and dog parks. Events may include such activities as "Fall Fun Dog Day" and educational events about responsible dog ownership, dog health, etc. Volunteers needed to: contact event sponsors, vendors and presenters; plan activities; prepare publicity; plan logistics -- obtain site; permits, signs, etc.; provide set up and clean up on the day of the event; provide staffing for event booths and activities. Committee needs: vendors with dog-related services or products to participate at event; donations for prizes and promotion; publicity skills; planning and organizing skills; banners; balloons. PUBLIC
RELATIONS COMMITTEE Outreach to community leaders and media. You can help! Write to local newspapers and politicians. Attend municipal meetings when dog parks are being discussed. Help educate fellow park users on dog park etiquette. Classifieds Looking for a training partner in Encinitas for novice tracking. Just starting out, using the SIAB technique. Contact Margarat & Vida.
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