As of: March 14, 2024, 3:21 p.m
By: Sophie Kluß
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Experienced dog owners intuitively know when their dog is feeling unwell.
Therefore, newcomers in particular should familiarize themselves with the appeasement signals.
Body language is one of the most important types of communication among dogs.
This also includes the so-called calming signals.
They are body signals that a dog sends out when it feels uncomfortable in a situation.
He wants to appease his counterpart, defuse tense situations, avoid possible conflicts in a peaceful way or simply create or maintain distance from people or members of his species.
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If dog owners and non-dog owners know these signals, dealing with dogs is much easier.
The dog's behavior can be better interpreted and assessed and, in the best case, escalations can be avoided.
If you notice such signals in your own dog or another dog, you should analyze what is causing the four-legged friend discomfort and adjust the situation accordingly so that the dog feels comfortable again.
By the way: You can find out what it means when dogs bark here.
The 15 most important appeasement signals from dogs
Dogs don't just yawn when they're tired.
In stressful situations, yawning is supposed to calm the other person.
The four-legged friend wants to show that he is relaxed and not looking for trouble.
(Symbolic image) © Pond5 Images/Imago
Reassurance signals complement the dog's body language and are individual to each dog.
You can find out which signals your dog prefers through careful observation.
Tip: Film your dog in potentially risky situations and then watch the video in slow motion.
You will be surprised at what signals you miss in everyday life.
It is also important to know that different calming signals can occur at the same time or at short intervals one after the other.
Read five signs that your dog is unhappy here.
You can find the most important reassurance signals in this overview:
Yawning:
Dogs don't just yawn when they're tired.
In stressful situations, yawning is supposed to calm the other person.
The four-legged friend wants to show that he is relaxed and not looking for trouble.
Tail wagging:
Even though wagging the tail is often a sign of joy, in certain situations it can also be a reassurance signal.
The four-legged friend often ducks at the same time.
If this is the case, the dog wants to submit.
Scratching:
If a dog scratches its body, this is intended to signal relaxation to the other dog.
Pawing/Raising a paw:
If the dog has no opportunity to move freely, pawing is a frequently shown appeasement signal.
Licking your nose:
Licking your nose is often overlooked or misinterpreted.
But the dog also shows his discomfort with this.
Avert:
This behavior can often be observed when someone gets too close to the dog and it makes him uncomfortable.
As a result, he either averts his gaze, his head or his entire body.
Blinking or closing his eyes:
If the dog feels harassed or a person comes too close to him, he blinks or closes his eyes as a sign of reassurance.
Long stretch:
A long stretch is often understood as a request to play, but should also be considered as a calming signal.
What
Dog owners also need to know about the stretch.
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In most cases, an extended stretch in the dog indicates a feeling of well-being.
But owners should be careful.
(Symbolic image) © Cavan Images/Imago
Sitting down or lying down:
With this behavior the dog shows that it is peaceful and wants to avoid confrontations.
Even if he lies on his back, it doesn't necessarily mean that he is completely comfortable.
Crouch or make yourself small:
If the dog makes himself small, he makes it clear that he does not want to provoke his counterpart.
He often shows other signals as well.
Stop or slow down:
If a dog feels stressed, the slower pace is intended to slow down and calm down.
This also includes slowed movements in other ways, including complete freezing.
Urination:
Urination is intended to prove to its peers that a dog is relaxed.
This also gives the other four-legged friend the opportunity to sniff the scent mark without directly sniffing the dog.
Sniffing:
This strategy is also intended to show other dogs that the dog is not on a confrontational course.
So don't pull your dog any further if you notice this signal.
Especially when sniffing doesn't fit the situation, it could be the dog's appeasement behavior.
Indirectly approach each other:
If dogs do not run straight towards each other, but instead approach each other in a detour or in an arc, this is a friendly and respectful way to approach other four-legged friends.
Splitting:
Couples know this - when they are close to each other, the dog stands between them and tries to separate them from each other in order to avoid a possible conflict.
The same thing can be observed among conspecifics, including playing puppies.
Always pay attention to your dog's overall body language in each situation.
The same signal can have completely different meanings in two different situations.
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What should I do if I notice appeasement signals in my dog?
If you notice that your dog is showing signs of de-escalation and appears tense, you should make the situation easier for him.
Remove items that cause him stress.
If you are not sure which trigger is making your dog uncomfortable, you should definitely leave the situation and create distance.
What happens when appeasement signals are ignored or misinterpreted?
Well-socialized dogs usually first try to appease their counterparts with appeasing signals.
If people, but also other dogs, do not pay attention to this or interpret the signals incorrectly, the dog may become defensive and as a result growl or even snap and bite.
You can read about the three mistakes you should avoid when dealing with dogs here.