The Silent Language of Communication continued.
2. Knees Locked vs. Knees Relaxed Knees should be unlocked, or in a relaxed position if standing, legs equally apart at a stance, and grounded “like a tree” is most optimal. When you lock your knees, your muscles tighten. Tight muscles are typically a response to either severe cold temperatures, excitability, heightened emotions, or unbalanced energy, and can deliver an unfavorable response to dogs. They may also be viewed as threatening. Example: a fearful person tends to tense up and stare. Dogs may tend to misread a fearful person’s behavior as a “challenge” posture, like that of a dominant dog squaring up to an opponent. This imme- diately puts a dog on the defensive.
3. Legs Apart Stance: A neutral pose to be assumed with equal weight distributed on each leg as you stand, as opposed to shifting your weight to one or other leg which sends a message of uncertainty. When you are standing equally, you are more in control of your dog and are sending messages of strength and confi- dence to your animal.
4. Head Position: Very significant in body language. A person’s head, due to a very flexible neck structure, can turn, thrust forward, withdraw, tilt sideways, forwards and backwards. All of these movements have meanings, which given some thought about other signals can be understood. The best position to work with
animals is a high head position which signifies attentive listening, usually with an open or undecided mind, or lack of bias.
5. Gait: All participants were instructed to stand sideways, in front of one or two dog kennels. No gait was incorporated. 6. Facial Expressions: Neutral. No eye contact. Each participant stool parallel, sideways, not facing the dogs. Relaxed facial muscle.
7. Tone: No words were used.
8. Thoughts: All were instructed to think of the dogs in a neutral, relaxed position. Begin with slow relaxed breathing,
deep sigh, then seeing the dogs in your mind’s eye sitting, then laying down. The goal was to think relaxing thoughts about the dog.
Our Emotions Are Showing Did someone ever tell you that you “wear your emotions on your sleeve?” Take that a step further. Animals are keen observers of our intentions and emotions, and can read us with an objective eye – even those movements and positions that you may not be aware of. Practice your body language as
though the whole world were watching. Animals (and your dogs) will let you know if you have it right.
U
Jo Maldonado may be reached by email at
Jo@AnimalReader.com She is available as a lecturer, instructor and consultant for private clients and animal shelters.
Holiday Rush. Ho We n o ol Bea
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A Best Friend
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