Comments on: Dog Body Language 101 http://www.smalldogsparadise.com/dog-behavior/dog-body-language-101-2/ Holistic Approach to Pampering Small Dogs Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:33:42 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Steve http://www.smalldogsparadise.com/dog-behavior/dog-body-language-101-2/comment-page-1/#comment-36884 Steve Sat, 17 May 2008 00:21:41 +0000 http://www.smalldogsparadise.com/dog-behavior/dog-body-language-101-2/#comment-36884 I'm sorry - but I have to disagree with some of these. In general, most of these are okay, but, a wagging tail certainly does not always mean "I'm very happy". When I first got my dog from the pound, at around 2 years old, he was very aggressive. Whenever he stressed out about something he would hold his ears back and down (more I'm afraid, or I'm not sure) and at the same time wag his tail. In this case, tail wagging can indeed be a display of negative, not positive feelings. Here's a great article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/science/24wag.html?em&ex=1178078400&en=8de41964f5316509&ei=5087%0A I've also been told, and knowing my dogs behaviors, I concede, that a dog leaning up against you can also be a strong show of dominance. A dog must not be allowed to dominate you, so if your dog typically shows other dominance traits, I would advise you to not allow your dog to lean against you. This is the same as when they push or shove you to pet them. They are commanding you to pet them, and if you choose to, you are rewarding this behavior. Other than that, I fully agree with the lsit. I’m sorry – but I have to disagree with some of these. In general, most of these are okay, but, a wagging tail certainly does not always mean “I’m very happy”. When I first got my dog from the pound, at around 2 years old, he was very aggressive. Whenever he stressed out about something he would hold his ears back and down (more I’m afraid, or I’m not sure) and at the same time wag his tail. In this case, tail wagging can indeed be a display of negative, not positive feelings.
Here’s a great article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/science/24wag.html?em&ex=1178078400&en=8de41964f5316509&ei=5087

I’ve also been told, and knowing my dogs behaviors, I concede, that a dog leaning up against you can also be a strong show of dominance. A dog must not be allowed to dominate you, so if your dog typically shows other dominance traits, I would advise you to not allow your dog to lean against you. This is the same as when they push or shove you to pet them. They are commanding you to pet them, and if you choose to, you are rewarding this behavior.

Other than that, I fully agree with the lsit.

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