Talking Dog: Body Language
     Understand what dogs are "saying"
     It's important to understand what dogs are saying with their bodies, not only to know your own dog but to
better predict what other dogs are doing.
     To really read dog body language takes experience. I encourage you to watch your own dog(s) and others.
Go to the dog park and watch dogs interacting. Watch different body parts (ears, tails, eyes, lips, hair, overall
posture) separately for a while. See if you can predict which body stances (姿态) lead to which activities or
outcomes.
     Confidence/Fear
     Signs of confidence: erect stance (standing tall), tail up, tail wagging in a slower sweep, ears pricked up (竖
起) or relaxed, direct look; relaxed, smaller pupils (瞳孔).
     Signs of fear or concern: lowered stance, tail down or tucked under, tail wagging in a quick, frantic (狂乱
的) buzz; looking away or turning head away to look so that whites of eyes show ("whale eye"); dilated (扩大
的) pupils. Dogs often bark out of fear, in an attempt to keep a distance between themselves and the Big Scary
Thing, especially if they are cornered, fenced in, or on a leash (束缚). 
                                                             
     This little puppy is looking confidently at the camera. His tail is up; he looks directly at us with no whites
showing in his eyes, and his ears, though a little hard to see, are pricked forward.
     This dog is relaxed and confident, with her tail curled over her back, her ears relaxed, and comfortably
lying down. Her ball is between her feet in a clear sign of possession.
                                                     
     This black lab pup is unsure about the plastic ducky (and maybe the water, too). Notice most of her body
is still on shore while she stretches her neck out to sniff. She's not fearful, just uncertain.
                                                            
     Here she's a lot more confident looking! Her tail is straight up (starting to curl back), and her body is
compacted and one foot is lifted-she's ready for the next move!
                                                               
     This dog is fearful and lacking in confidence. His back is arched with his butt and head lowered, his legs
are bent, his tail is down (though not tucked under his body). He's looking at the thing that's scaring him.
                                                                
     This puppy is clearly fearful and hiding under his person's legs. His head and back are lowered, his ears are
down, and his pupils are dilated (showing red in the camera flash).I would not reach out to this puppy-I would
expect him to back away, growl, and maybe even snap at such an invasion of his space.(Instead, I would use
Calming Signals such as turning sideways, looking away, yawning, touching the ground in an imitation of dog
sniffing, and if the dog seems to relax I might hold my hand out to a neutral space between us for him to sniff).
     If playing dogs get too aroused, you might want to intervene. If your dog is getting overwhelmed or is
overwhelming someone else, invite them to take a short break. No punishment is necessary.

【个性思考】 In what other ways do you think a dog can show his feelings?
     In my view ____________________________________________________________________________
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