Sheila Harper on a relaxation walk with two of her canine family members.

Learn about calming signals

There is nothing mystical about calming signals. It is a question of straightforward observation and careful interpretation leading to a clearer understanding of dog psychology.

Dogs, like us, have a need to communicate. We all recognise signs like barking, whining and tail wagging, but there are many others that are lost to us because we are not always good observers.

Canine language incorporates body language as well as vocal language, and dogs, like us, use facial signals as well as movement. In studying this language, we not only have a better idea of how dogs view each other, but have insight into how our actions affect the dog. It is easy to communicate with dogs using this knowledge, and as a result the 'conversation' is not one-sided.

Calming signals communicate the social structure of the pack, as well as what the individual finds stressful or frightening. The term 'calming signals' has been used because dogs can use the signals to resolve conflicts by calming others in the pack as well as calming themselves. The signals are actually used to prevent confrontation in order to avoid conflicts.

More than 30 signals have been observed so far. Some of the most common are:

• Head turn - when another dog or a person is approaching
• Looking away
• Turning away
• Licking the nose
• Freezing or becoming still
• Walking slowly
• Sitting down
• Lying down
• Yawning
• Sniffing
• Lifting a paw

It is noticeable that dogs use several of these signals when they find something stressful.

Many behaviour or training problems arise because of the dog having too much stress in its life. Imagine being in another country where no one understands you. You are hurt and need help, but are unable to find anyone who can help. This in itself can be a stressful experience.

For dogs, there are many things that can cause stress - too much or too little exercise, play, excitement, or even feeling that everything you say or do is misunderstood. This can be extremely frustrating. Just how do you get your message across?

If we don't recognise the signals we can actually increase the stress and consequently increase the behaviour problem.

Dogs with high stress levels are often those whose owners have high expectations of them and who are constantly giving them commands or telling them not to do things. These dogs live in a constantly demanding atmosphere and are more likely to be reactive, with a high degree of self- defence. Dogs who have high stress levels are likely to be sound sensitive, and will be much more likely to suffer from ill health or allergies.

Dogs show their stress in all kinds of ways. They often have the need to act up, barking or scratching, lunging, pulling on lead or jumping up. These are their ways of coping - doing something to relieve stress. This is very similar to how we humans act in difficult situations.

Let us be aware of what our dogs are trying to tell us so that we can do something positive about it and help them out. In this way we can actually help to solve our dogs' problems, making life easier for ourselves.

Go to a park where dogs are meeting each other off lead. Start observing them, and a whole new world, hitherto "secret", will appear! - Sheila Harper