06/04/2025
JUST SHAKE IT OFF
A “shake off” is one of many types of body language and is one of the easiest ones to notice.
The shake off can provide us with important insight as to how our dogs are feeling.
Besides being a very effective way to get rid of dirt, bugs or water - dogs can remove up to 70% of water in one single shake off - the shake off is often seen just after something that a dog needs a mental reset from.
It’s a way to flush out adrenaline and could be compared to us taking a deep breath to reset our nervous system and calm ourselves down.
Dogs instinctively know they feel better when they just shake it all off!
It’s their way of saying “Phew, I’m glad that’s over, now I can put it behind me and move on”.
Shaking off is a positive way to calm down, reset and cope with stress – be that negative or positive stress.
It’s a healthy way of transitioning from one emotional state to another.
It’s important to be aware that shake offs may sometimes be caused by an underlying medical issue like an ear infection, allergies, itching or pain.
If you notice a shake off, look at what has just happened beforehand. This will provide a good clue as to what it is that your dog feels they need to reset from.
