Your Dog Is Talking To You – Are You Listening?

Dogs actually have the ability to signal to us precisely how they are feeling at any given time. If we are attuned to their signs we will know what their emotional state is. Dogs can display various emotions including: happiness, sadness, boredom, excitement, and fear.

If you closely watch your dog you will notice that his eyes, ears, body, and tail are in an almost continuous, though subtle movement. This is his way of communicating his emotional feelings. Studies are confirming the fact that animals use a very inconspicuous and refined system of communication. The good news is that with a little effort we can learn to understand our domesticated dogs.

In studies conducted by Jane Goodall and Dr. Michael W. Fox, recognized authority on canine body language, confirmed that wild dogs of Africa and wolves communicated a wide range of attitudes to each other, including affection, dominance, submission, interest, disgust, joy, disappointment, and fear. These emotions were communicated using the slightest body movements.

Although our dogs have lost some sensitivity to the language that would be used if they were living in the wild, they still use much of this inherited form of communication. Learning to read your dog’s body language will require a keen eye and close observation over what is happening at the time that your dog is displaying any given movement.

There are some basic things you can look for but like everything else, not every dog follows the same pattern as the others. Here are a few typical guidelines to get you started. Dogs use their tails to signal that they are happy or afraid. If their tail is wagging they are happy. If it is tucked down they are showing fear and submission. When their tail is proudly held high they are feeling good about themselves. Ears are also very telling when it comes to signaling emotions. Dogs sometimes perk their ears in an adorable quizzical fashion as if to ask a question. They may also tilt their head to the side when puzzled. The ears may be held in a backward direction against the head when the dog is angry.

As you become increasingly skilled at reading your dog’s emotional language or identifying his moods, your bond with him will deepen and grow even stronger. Many professionals that have lots of experience in working with dogs have developed the ability to read canine language very well. This is true of dog behaviorists, dog trainers, veterinarians, groomers, breeders, and even life-long dog owners.

It seems that dogs are able to recognize and appreciate when you correctly read their emotional language. Perhaps this is why dogs seem to automatically like certain individuals. Maybe the dog immediately recognizes when a person understands him.

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Some Winter Tips

• Don’t overfeed your dog during the winter. Although dogs are in need of an extra layer during the winter season…make sure it comes from a coat, and not a fat layer. Unless your dog lives outdoors during the winter, he or she often needs no additional calories during the winter chill. Cold temperatures often bring on lazy behaviors and actually the need for LESS calories. Be attentive to your dog’s activity level and adjust his calories accordingly. Always feed your dog a high quality natural dog food to insure a healthy coat and good energy for the cold winter months.


• Keep your dog hydrated. Dogs can dehydrate just as quickly in the winter as summer. Although many dogs eat snow, it is not an adequate substitute for fresh water. If your dog has a water bowl outdoors, check it often and break ice that may form on top.

• Let’s talk temperature! If it is too cold for you to stand at the door without your coat, it is probably too cold for your dog to be out without a coat. Some dog breeds have dense undercoats that help protect them against very cold temperatures…but most dogs should have a coat to help them deal with Jack Frost. If getting your dog a coat makes you think about poodles in pink fur, don’t distress! Coats are not just about fashion; there are many functional, non-couture coats available! Coats will not prevent frostbite on the ears, feet or tail…so don’t keep your dog out too long in freezing temperatures.

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HEAT STROKE - Here is how YOU can HELP

• Take the pet to a cool place

• Apply cool water

• If you can, put the pet in front of a fan to speed up the cooling process

• Gently massage your pet's legs and body

• If your pet is conscious, let him/her drink small amounts of water and wash its mouth out with cool water

• Get them to a vet

OTHER BACKYARD HAZARDS BESIDES THE SUN

• Barbecues — keep the dogs away from the hot grill — one vigorous wag, the grill goes over, and its bad news for everyone.

• Pools, lakes, ponds — most people assume dogs and cats know how to swim ... not true. You need to make sure your pet can swim, so watch them in the beginning. If they have a hard time, you can get them a life preserver.

• Make sure you know what's in your backyard that could be hazardous.

SOME COMMON PLANTS TO AVOID ARE:

AVOCADO
AZALEA
BIRD OF PARADISE
CYCLAMEN
DAFFODIL
DIEFFENBACHIA
EGGPLANT
FRUIT AND NUT TREES (APPLE, PEACH, ALMOND, CHERRY, APRICOT),
HIBISCUS, HOLLY
HYDRANGEA
LILY OF THE VALLEY
MORNING GLORY
MUSHROOM
NIGHTSHADE
PHILODENDRON
POTATO
RHODODENDRON
RHUBARB
SCHEFFLERA
TOBACCO
TOMATO

Also, make sure you check any pesticides or fertilizers before you use them, and keep your pets out of toxic areas.

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Hot weather DO'S AND DONT'S

• Never keep your pet in an unattended car OR A CHILD
Even if the temperature is moderate outside and the windows are open, cars can heat up like ovens. Never keep your pet closed up in a pen or kennel without shade, adequate ventilation or water.

• Shade is a must.
If you leave your pet outside while you go to work, remember to make sure there is always a shady place for them to rest. The sun moves through the yard all day, there may be lots of shade when you leave and no where to hide in the afternoon.

• Always have lots of water available for your cat or dog to drink in the hot weather.

• Freeze the water: Again, if you are leaving your pet for the day, Warren suggests freezing water in the bowl so they'll have cool water to drink throughout the day.

• Don't shave.
Shaving your dog's hair too short, rather than cooling them off, actually robs them of their natural sun block -- yes, they can be burned.

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HOT Weather - Cool Pets

With the hot weather here in the Newark area, we'll all be enjoying outside activities, and there are special safety concerns when it comes to your four-footed friends. Pet expert Warren Eckstein has some advice on how to keep your pets cool in hot weather.

HEATSTROKE
This is the most serious and dangerous thing to worry about with your pet in the summer. Here are the symptoms:
• Excessive panting
• Vomiting/diarrhea
• Elevated temperature
• Hot, dry skin
• Pale lips and gums
• Collapse and coma

Pets rely on panting and sweating to maintain their normal body temperatures but cats and dogs only have efficient sweat glands on the pads of their feet. So, even if you don't feel overheated under the conditions you're in, your pet may not be feeling too good.

Also, pets with pushed-in faces, like pugs, are more susceptible to heatstroke because they can't cool themselves down with panting as efficiently, so be careful.

Younger and older pets are also more prone to heatstroke because their cooling systems are not running at peak efficiency.

The best way to treat heatstroke, of course, is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

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